By: Ren K. and Violet H.

Right off the bat, we want to say that these two are not the same. In the past, ANYTHING other than Christianity was labeled as satanic or evil. Today however, we’re able to differentiate between the two with an open mind.

Now, most people associate the pentagram or pentacle (it goes by a couple names) with the devil and the occult. But if one were to look into its past, they’d discover that it has an entirely different meaning: it symbolizes a deeper connection between spiritual levels of oneself and/ or with nature. Satan’s cross is actually entirely different (it’s also not just an upside-down cross; the movies lied to you). Look it up once and there’s definitely a difference.

Looking more specifically at paganism, the practice has evolved over time, although its base values remain the same: it is a practice rooted in nature and the natural world. In the past, it was more commonly practiced as Wicca. The two separated a little more over the years, with Wicca now recognized as an official religion. It’s a practice that is heavily influenced by nature and especially apothecary, whereas paganism is more about the mind and finding yourself.

Moving back to the idea of satanism’s relationship to paganism, there is none.

Yes, paganism can involve “witchcraft”, but not always. That stereotype is what links the practice to satanism, and it’s entirely unfair. Many pagans do practice some version of the craft, but it is primarily about finding yourself and achieving a higher state of being.

And the thing about paganism is that it’s so moldeable. You can believe in whichever gods you want to (as well as however many you want to), or you can not believe in any gods. Many people believe in mother nature as a force of guidance, and some believe in the universe as a conscious entity. Some believe both. Others don’t believe in either. It’s a practice that you can truly personalize to fit your needs and beliefs, and overall is just another way of finding yourself.

Even then, satanism is less of worshiping Satan over the Christian God, but more of a symbolization of individualism.

The biggest problem we have today as a society of free religion, is that some practices have become trendy or considered cool and fashionable. Some treat them simply as aesthetics and publicly present only the superficial information they consider interesting. This leads to a lot of misconceptions and misinterpretations of religions that many people practice seriously. It can also disrespect religions and surround them with new stigmas or stereotypes, which help no one at all.

Satanism is the renegade Christian’s acceptance of the religion’s duality of good and evil. They choose to worship the anti-God, representing evil in the world, but still take on Christian worldviews.

Neo-paganism is the modern version and revival of the past pagan practices, which don’t exactly see the world in black and white, or as good and evil. The religion is more centered on the sacredness of all living thing as well as nature, as was mentioned previously.

Another branch off of paganism and related practices is Shamanism, commonly known as witch doctors or simply witches and warlocks. They’re similar to Wiccan practices as they focus their energies on learning to heal themselves and others through the powers of nature, herbal medicine, midwifery, spell casting, etc. They were most often (although not exclusively) women, leading to the portrayal of witches as old hags.

The way people were “proven” guilty of witchcraft back during England’s witch hunts was frankly very unfair and somewhat paradoxical. Aka: you couldn’t survive either way.

When someone (almost always a woman) was accused of witchcraft and worshiping the Devil, they would be bound at the wrists and ankles and tossed into a deep body of water. If they sank (which inevitably they would. Most women of the time were in fact incapable of swimming while tied up), then they were innocent. But then they’d drown, so it was never of any use to them. If they somehow managed to stay afloat (perhaps by holding their breath), then they were proclaimed a witch and burned at the stake.

The point of this information is to help others realize you can’t just accept the dominant narrative of any religion (or any other aspect of life) without having some part left out. Do your research, and learn to question everything around you.

For more information, check out these websites:
– https://dailyiowan.com/2017/07/19/coltrain-satanism-and-paganism-are-not-the-same-thing/
– https://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos574.htm