Satanism vs. Wicca 
                                   By: Diane Vera 

     Since your main worry seems to be public relations, here's how I 
     would make the distinction between Wicca and Satanism, in a way that 
     is fair to both sides and does not throw Satanists to the dogs: 
     . 
          Wicca and Satanism are quite distinct.  Wiccans worship pre- 
          Christian deities (or a modern-day composite of pre-Christian 
          deities) and do not worship the Christian anti-God.  Some 
          Satanists also worship a pre-Christian deity, but regard the 
          Christian anti-God as a manifestation of their deity, which 
          Wiccans do not.  Wicca and Satanism are very different in 
          their aims and tone.  Wicca emphasizes harmony and balance, 
          whereas Satanism emphasizes spiritual self-liberation via 
          iconoclasm and catharsis. 
     . 
     I should mention, though, there's one possible problem with that 
     last sentence.  Some feminist Wiccans might take offense at it, 
     since it implies the more radical forms of feminist Wicca are really 
     more like Satanism than like Wicca.  Which in my opinion they are. 
     If you've read some of Mary Daly's books, you'll know what I mean. 
     . 
     I myself identify as a feminist Goddess-oriented neo-Pagan, as well 
     as a Satanist.  Indeed, feminist Goddess religion is still my 
     *primary*  religious identification.  (Satanism is how I relate to 
     "male" energy.)  I don't and never did call myself a feminist 
     "Wiccan". 
     . 
     By the way, while I accept today's use of the word Wicca (with a 
     capital W) to refer to a specific European-based religion with a 
     very specific worldview,  I do  *not*  accept the attempt by Wiccans 
     to copyright the words "witch" and "witchcraft".  These words are 
     generic terms, not the property of any one religion.  They refer to 
     occult practices found in many religions around the world.  A 
     Satanist has as much right to the word "witch" as anyone else.  (It 
     so happens that  *I*  don't call myself a "witch", but for a 
     different reason:  I think many "witches" are making exaggerated 
     claims to occult power, and I don't want to give the appearance of 
     making such an exaggerated claim.) 



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