| Place of worship | Ideal Org |
Altars, covens, outside in nature, in your home, in your car, anywhere really |
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| Founder | L. Ron Hubbard. |
Wicca was made public by Gerald Gardner with some historians concluding it was mostly his creation and others feeling it may have existed as early as the 1800's. Some traditions claim distinct lineage such as Cochranian and Alexandrian. |
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| Place of origin | The United States |
England |
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| Life after death | Reincarnation. |
Reincarnation, often with a rest period in the Summerland. |
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| Practices | Dianetics |
Prayer, witchcraft, devotion, invocation, blessings, healing, casting circle, etc |
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| Concept of Deity | One God. |
Depends on the individual and the Path they follow. Typically animistic and/or polytheistic ranging from belief that all deities are a reflection of a male and female aspect and belief that the gods are real personas (hard polytheists). |
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| Time of origin | 1950. |
Created by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Most branches claim some ancient tradition or line, but no direct proof through historical sources. It is perhaps the largest religion created in the last century. |
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| Scriptures | The Writings of L. Ron Hubbard |
Traditions usually keep a Book of Shadows which contains rituals and practices common to that group, though it may change over time. Similar liturgy and ritual structure exists, but is not derived from a single, universally recognized source. |
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| Geographical distribution and predominance | All over the world, however mostly in the United States |
Primarily English speaking parts of Europe, North American and Australia with some communities in France, Germany, etc. |
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| View of Animistic religions | N/A. |
Practitioners typically follow specific deities over others. |
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| View of the Buddha | N/A. |
Buddha achieved enlightenment and therefore is someone to imitate.... though as always, depends on who you talk to. While some minimal Buddhist influence may be present, Buddha himself is rarely worshiped. |
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| Literal Meaning | The Study of Knowledge or Truth. |
Wic·ca - from Old English Wica. Wise |
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| Views on the afterlife | Reincarnation |
(varies) Reincarnation till one reaches the Summerland. |
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| Goal of religion | To become an operating Thetan. |
To honor the ancient Gods and Goddess, and respect the cycles of life. To better yourself. |
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| Original Language | English |
Primarily English with occasional inclusions of local languages related to specific deities and magical languages from western mystery traditions. Some covens in non-English speaking countries speak their local languages. |
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| Place and Time of origin | The United States, 1950. |
England 1950 (According to records) |
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| Clergy | Auditors |
Priests and Priestesses, Lords, Ladies, witches (respectively). |
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| About | Mind, Body, and Soul. |
Largest of the Neopagan religions. Great reverence for the Earth & for their Goddess & her consort, the horned God. Wiccan Rede: forbids them from harming people, including themselves, except in some cases of self-defense. |
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| Birth of Jesus | N/A. |
N/A, closest comparison would be the Sabbat of Yule, when the God is born unto the Goddess. |
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| Rites | Dianetics |
Initiation, Hand Fasting, Healing, Ritual. |
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| Definition | The Study of Knowledge or Truth |
To be wise, to live to learn, grow, experience life. |
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| Use of statues | N/A |
Very common |
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| Population | Estimated 10,000 |
The number of practicing Wiccans has been estimated between tens of thousands on up to several hundred thousand. |
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| Marriage | Between one man and one woman. |
While all people have different views, same sex marriage is just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages. The ritual of Hand Fasting is usually used. |
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| Holy days/Official Holidays | L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday; Clear Day; Auditor's Day;Freedom Day; |
Sabbats, Esbats. |
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| Authority of Pope | N/A. |
N/A |
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| Religion which atheists may still be adherents of | Yes. |
N/A |
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| Authority of Dalai Lama | N/A. |
N/A |
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| Abrahamic Lineage | N/A. |
N/A |
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| Geographical predominance | North America. |
North America and Great Britain. |
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| Status of Muhammad | N/A |
N/A. |
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| Identity of Jesus | N/A |
N/A |
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| Significance of Eucharist | N/A |
N/A |
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| Presence of Christ in Eucharist | N/A |
N/A |
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| Purgatory | N/A |
N/A |
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| Position of Abraham | N/A. |
N/A. |
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Comments: Scientology vs Wicca