Christianity and Wicca: A Comparison

Christianity Wicca
Patriarchal/Paternalistic Duotheistic (Goddess/God)*
Dualistic: divinity separate from everyday world Monistic: Divinity inseparable from everyday world
Resurrection Reincarnation
Heaven: destination of Christian soul Summerland: resting place between souls' incarnations
Hell No equivalent
Satan No equivalent
Original Sin No equivalent
Redemption/Atonement/Confession Karma/Threefold Law(evil returns upon the perpetrator three-fold)
Hierarchy/Authoritarianism Autonomy (no hierarchy)
Bible(scripture) No equivalent**
Sabbaths based upon Biblical and Christian historical events Sabbats based upon solar/lunar cycles
Prophets/Saints/Messiahs no equivalent
Generally daylight worship Some worship nocturnal(lunar esbats)
Churches/temples Circles where convenient, usually no formal temple
10 Commandments Wiccan Rede (Harm none)
Psychic phenomena generally discouraged except for "miracles" Psychic abilities encouraged (magick)

* Names vary from tradition to tradition. Different aspects of the Goddess/God have different names creating the impression that Wicca may be pantheistic.

** Wiccans use a book called the "Book of Shadows". This is a working notebook rather than a scriptural text.

- by Rowan Moonstone
Back to the Book of Shadows