What's the Deal with Wicca?

Today there is an over abundance of religions to choose from. There are so many different ones that one would need a map just to find your way around! There are many different forms of Judaism, Orthodox, Traditional, Cabalists. There different forms of Islam, there are the extremists, the Traditional, peace lovers. The same can be said about Christianity, Mormons, Seventh day Adventists, Lutheran, Catholics, Methodists. Even in the pagan religions there are so many to choose form….

In his new book, What’s the Deal with Wicca? Steve Russo takes a deeper look into the Wiccan religion. A look no Christian has ever taken before. If you are curious as to what exactly this new/old religion is all about check out this book. I recommend it if you have kids who are in college or high school and have become disenchanted by the Christian walk.

Steve Russo demonstrates how Wicca is the same as any other pagan belief system: “Wiccans say they don’t believe in the devil, they get offended if anyone compares Wicca to Satanism (worshipping the devil). Nevertheless, at their very core Wicca and Satanism are the same - the both reject the truth as found in Jesus and in His Word, following the same lie that was started at the beginning of human history.” The reason that Steve and other Christian leaders lump Wicca, Paganism and Satanism together is because these religions don't recognize God as their authority...even though they are all very different from one another.

Steve explains some of the beliefs and practices of Wiccans and their holy days: “Most Wiccans begin their year on October 31 with Samhain (SOW-wen). On this night they revere their friends and loved ones who have passed on to the other life. They also mark the symbolic death of the god on this night. This day is linked with the coming of winter. Yule is celebrated around December 21 (the date changes each year because of the solstices and equinoxes). On this day the rebirth of the god through the action of the goddess is celebrated.”

Steve talks about the differences between Wicca and Christianity: “Most Wiccans resent and reject the Bible. They view it as a Christian book with no experiential value and say it is completely out of touch with contemporary society.”

“Those involved in Wicca have bought the lie of religion that says you can get to heaven - or however you describe life after death - through your own efforts and in your own way. Let’s face it, that’s an easy trap to fall into. We are so used to earning things, working for things. Even as little children we are taught that if we do a certain thing we will be rewarded. We then want to carry this over to religion. It’s hard to imagine that’s something as significant as eternal life is a free gift from God.”

Any comments to this article should be forwarded to the forum...thank you!

*article edited and updated on the advice of friends by Jenna Robinson 10/19/05.