Pagans and Christianity

Many Wiccans and other Pagans are former Christians, and have some concerns about how they'll practice their new beliefs. Also, many of us have Christian family members, so sometimes it can be hard to answer questions that our non-Pagan family might have. Here are some of our most popular articles on how Wiccans, Pagans and Christians can all co-exist together, as well as some of the common questions that Christians might ask you about your beliefs.

Do Pagans Hate Christianity?

Girl in Church
altrendo images / Stockbyte / Getty Images

You'll find that there are some Pagans in the community who are pretty vocal about their dislike of Christianity. They hate Christians, they hate the Bible, they hate anything to do with it. Why do they hate it? Who knows. Maybe they had a bad experience that they can't let go of. Maybe they've been raised to believe that "it's not for me" equals "it's bad for everyone and I should complain about it." Perhaps they think that an encounter with one unpleasant Christian gives them license to hate the entire religion.

There's no telling.

Fortunately, these people are in the minority. Much like we know that fundamentalist extremists like Fred Phelps and Pat Robertson do not speak for all Christians in their hatred of Paganism, we also know that the Pagans who are rabidly angry at Christianity do not represent all of us. Sometimes, you'll encounter someone who has lost a Pagan friend to Christianity, and may be harboring feelings of betrayal.

Often, this manifests in words or actions that are anti-Christian, when really it's just the person working out how they feel about what they may see as abandonment or defection. Other times you'll meet individuals who are just so caught up in their dislike of Christianity that they don't want to see anyone else doing anything even remotely connected to it, like attending church with family members or owning a Bible. There are people in the Pagan community who see Christians as the enemy, and as a group to be avoided at all costs.

There's not much you can do with people like that, except let them know you're not going to be playing along, and simply refuse to engage. Fortunately, though, most Pagans are supportive of respectful and healthy interfaith communication.

Something else to keep in mind is that in general, Christians don't hate Pagans, either. They may not approve of our belief system or understand it, but "hate" is a pretty strong term that really can only be applied to the more fundamentalist (and loudest) flavor of Christian. Many Christians are respectful of differences in belief, and it's important not to paint them all with the same brush–just like we would hope they wouldn't think we all hated them.

For the most part, the typical Pagan is someone who was once some other religion, and found that it just wasn't the right path for them to be on. So, you won't be expected to badmouth Christianity or any other religion, not by most of us. In fact, you may find yourself to be the perfect bridge for an interfaith dialogue between the Pagan community and the Christian one.

Can I Be a Christian Wiccan?

Close-Up Of Hand Holding Candle
If you want to practice witchcraft within a Christian framework, consider talking to your pastor. Konstantin Mihov / EyeEm / Getty Images

Many people in the Pagan community were raised in a religion that wasn't Paganism, and sometimes, it can be a challenge to set aside the beliefs with which you were raised. Occasionally, however, you'll encounter people who didn't set their beliefs aside at all, but have found a way to blend their Christian upbringing with Wicca or some other Pagan path that they've discovered later in life. 

Surviving an Interfaith Relationship

Couple watching fireworks
Is your significant other something besides Pagan?. Maki Aoyama / Getty Images

So you’re Wiccan or Pagan and your spouse/partner/lover/significant other/fiancé is ... something else. Is there a way the two of you can manage to find balance? Or are you doomed to a lifetime of worrying whether every little disagreement will end with someone throwing out the “Oh yeah? Well, your beliefs are STUPID!!” trump card? Fact is, in every relationship there are things that couples may not agree on. The trick is in finding a way to meet halfway.

Do Wiccans Believe in God?

Man on Beach
Many Pagans honor the divine in their practice and belief. swissmediavision / E+ / Getty Images

Many people in the Pagan community were raised in a religion that wasn't Paganism, and sometimes, it can be a challenge to set aside the beliefs with which you were raised. Occasionally, however, you'll encounter people who didn't set their beliefs aside at all, but have found a way to blend their Christian upbringing with Wicca or some other Pagan path that they've discovered later in life. 

Do Pagans Worship the Devil?

Kid with Devil Horns
Xose Casal Photography / Moment / Getty Images

Are Pagans and Wiccans a bunch of devil-worshipers? Are they performing naughty naked rituals? Well, no... let's talk about why that's a myth.

Will I Go to Hell if I Cast Spells?

Hell, Michigan
Most Pagans do not worry about going to Hell. Andy Sacks / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images

Many people who discover Wicca and Paganism come from other religious backgrounds, and many of them are concerned about this issue. How do Wiccans and other Pagans feel about the matter?

Do Pagans Believe in Sin?

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Most Pagan religions don't subscribe to the concept of sin. GK Hart & Vikki Hart / Stockbyte / Getty Images

How do Pagans and Wiccans feel about the concept of sin? Is it a uniquely Christian idea, or is it something found in modern Pagan religions? Sometimes when people come to Paganism from another religion, they find it hard to shed some of the mores of that other belief system. It's not uncommon for people new to a non-Christian path to question whether or not the notion of "sin" is a valid one. Let's look at a couple of different aspects of sin.

What Do I Tell People who Say Paganism Is Evil?

Mom And Daughter
Jamie Grill / Tetra Images / Getty Images

Several readers have been told Paganism is evil. They know it isn't, but how do they explain this to the people in their lives who object to Pagan religions? Well, there are going to be people in your life who think your religious beliefs are wrong. It happens–and not just to Pagans. What you have to decide is how you’re going to deal with these people. You have a number of options, and all of them involve you speaking up for yourself, rather than sitting and listening as they rant on about stuff that they don’t understand.

What Do Pagans Think About Jesus?

Christ the Redeemer
In general, Jesus doesn't play a role in Pagan spirituality at all. Moskow / Moment / Getty Images

A reader wants to know what Pagans think about Jesus. The answer often depends on which Pagan you ask, but in general, Jesus doesn't play any sort of role in Pagan spirituality.

Why Would a Pagan Have a Bible?

Antique Bible
Should a reader get rid of his family Bible just because he's Pagan?. Myron / Stone / Getty Images

A reader got chastised by a friend for owning a Christian Bible–and now he wants to know if he should keep it or not. Let's talk about some of the issues in this situation.

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Your Citation
Wigington, Patti. "Pagans and Christianity." Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/pagans-and-christianity-2561748. Wigington, Patti. (2021, February 8). Pagans and Christianity. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/pagans-and-christianity-2561748 Wigington, Patti. "Pagans and Christianity." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/pagans-and-christianity-2561748 (accessed March 28, 2024).