Please bear in mind that the following is my opinion, not the opinion of every Wiccan. As it happens, I am a coven priest, yet I do not worship anything or anyone. I respect Divinity, including the gods of other religions. Many reasons, some of which are mighty controversial. For starters, many people believe that Wiccan ritual tools are used to 'worship' some spirit or another (untrue); this action is specifically prohibited in the Bible. Second, prayer is a request to the Divine, while ritual magick is a direct action with direct results, relying on the practitioner's morality. This is often seen as arrogant, greedy, evil, etc. Consider the history of the Church. In many cases, when Christianity was forcibly introduced to another culture, the local faith was forced 'underground'; anything having to do with the old religion was proclaimed as evil. Since modern Wicca is a reconstruction of the faiths destroyed by Christianity, many of it's symbols are still considered evil. Especially pervasive is the misguided belief that all Wiccans worship Lucifer; This stems from the following of Cernnunos and other forest deities (represented as having horns or antlers), and the actions taken to stop these 'pagan' practices. By definition, a worshipper of satan IS NOT Wiccan! One less obvious reason is that Christianity is based on faith, while Wiccan beliefs are essentially scientific. The Pentagram represents the order and balance of the universe as the commingling of four 'elements', or core concepts, unified and guided by Spirit. It is a way of understanding the universe in terms of natural, and controllable, forces. Think of how the early Church would respond to the beliefs of a modern scientist: the likely result would be outrage. It is interesting to note that the traditions of science were carried to modern times from the Greeks (and others) by alchemists and astrologers; both groups.were denounced for challenging the word and power of God. My last point is that Christianity professes to be the one true religion. Therefore, all other forms of faith are misguided and irrelevant, serving only to keep people from God. From a Christian standpoint, anything that denies people the light and love of God is evil. Please remember that these things happened a long time ago, and in no way do past events invalidate either faith. Christianity is valid today regardless of past actions. Likewise, Wicca is valid today despite the fact that many mistakenly view it as evil. In sum, it's just a big, messy misunderstanding. Hope that helps. Edit: Dharmakitten: The practice of magick relies on a scientific perspective. Skepticism is essential; without it, only delusion is left. We use what works, and discard what does not. It is a fluid, evolving faith, suitable for modern times in a way that Christianity is not. Also, no Wiccan I've met would worship any spirit. Communicate with and honor, yes, but never worship. To worship something is to put your life and your future entirely into its power. We must choose our paths for ourselves, never shirking our responsibility to ourselves. To worship anything but life itself is to give up who you are. (That doesn't rule out worshipping some aspect of Divinity, since the Divine is life itself.)

The reason is simple. It is because the Bible says it is evil. Consider the following verses as proof. Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. Deuteronomy 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, The close connection of this warning of the Apostle with the words-- "Refuse profane and `OLD WIVES' FABLES," in 1Ti 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. is doubtless a reference to some of the "ISMS" of these last days. For "Christian Science" is but an "OLD WIFE'S" Fable, for Mrs. Eddy was an "Old Wife" in the sense that she had been many times married. It is an indisputable fact that most of the "Witches" and "Mediums" of Scripture, and these "Latter Days," were and are women. It was through Eve and not Adam that Satan sought to destroy the race. The reason may be that the nervous and impressionable character of women is better adapted to demon influence. The last paragraph is copied from the book "Rightly Dividing the Word" by Clarence Larkin, 1920. Most Christians consider the symbols to be what they are. Trappings of the same heresy they are associated with, and forbidden by God. For the comment about verses not calling wicca evil. There is of course no mntion of the name wicca in the Bible, it's too new of a word. How about the description of a practicioner? Acts 13:6-10 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? The Goddess is called evil right here: Revelation 17:4-5 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Yes zed, and much more. You should read it yourself, and maybe you will be able to escape the fires of hell when you are through.You didn't use the words, but the attitude is all over you, "yea hath God said?". Careful, that snake bites hard. People should be afraid of hell, and it is a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. Fear and reverence God. but know that He still loves you and will forgive all you've done if you repent, do it now zed!

The first, and most obvious answer, is fear. Wiccan practices come from primitive cultures and thus their rituals and icons are something of a throw-back to modern civilisation. Dancing around a fire, naked- while at one time would be nothing more than a spirited celebration, is now-a-days considered unusual, and thus feared. Not helping this any, is the fact that the Christian religion feeds on the fear of it's followers (i.e. "god-fearing" men) and teaches them that anything that isn't directly christian could be a tool for the devil's manipulation. Mix the two in a pot of uncertainty and you get Wiccans with unusual habits, and Christians fearing uncertain things for the work of the devil... and it's easy to see why Wicca is associated with satanic rituals and black masses. While this seems like an unfortunate coincidence, it is admitedly egged on by Christians hoping to convert the ancient Britons and Celts, by telling them that a horned god is the devil, and that their pentagram is a sign of devil worship. In essence, making them beleive that they have been deceived by a being they've enver heard of. The ploy worked, for the most part, as attested by the "Burning Times" in which all things wiccan (or unusal, for that matter) were associated with being satanic, and many people were burned, drowned, or otherwise executed for their beliefs. The world's first holocaust >.< The Wiccan holy symbol (the pentagram) is symbolic of the harmony of life. It is a 5 pointed star, with each point representing a differant element; Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit. They are all linked together by the shame and thus it's a symbol of the universe as a Wiccan knows it. True satanists use a simaler sybol, the inverted pentagram, which is a perversion of the ancient symbol of Wiccans, or "witches" (in which they glowered in the mystique of, not to mention the propoganda of power-through-satan). Despite the fact that true Wiccans have no notion of the christian Satan, their came a fork at some point in which newcomers to the religion (made ignorant by christian lore which tells them that Wiccans worship satan) deliberatally sought to become "witches" by worshipping satan. And so Satanism and Wicca have the same roots, with the former being a product of Christian puppet strings. The satanic pentagram (being inverted) have two prongs of the star pointed up, and one pointed down. It is said to be semblant of Satan's image of being horned and having sharp features and/or a beard.

Honestly, I think this question would be more appropriately addressed in the Christian section. To find out why Christians believe what they do, you are best served by asking a Christian. Wicca is not about Christianity or demons. I've thought long and hard about this, and have decided to try to answer your question. I do know what I was taught about it when I was a Christian. Most Christians believe that Wiccan ritual items and icons are demonic/evil/of the devil/Satanic because they have been taught by other Christians, whom they trust, that they are. This is the same reason that most humans believe anything to be true - someone they trust said so. The sheer number of outspoken, prominent Christians teaching this message gives it credibility to Christians. Outspoken ultra-conservative Christians who either deliberately spread misinformation, or who simply do not perform even rudimentary research, do not help matters. Please see: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr1.htm This site (Religious Tolerance.org) strives to provide objective information about the world's various religions. This information has spilled over into media, as the largest American religion is Christianity. Even Dr. Laura, an Orthodox Jew, said on her show, "I don't think you're going get a Witch into a Catholic church, I don't think she'd get past the holy water." (Just FYI, I have been to a Catholic Church and past the Holy Water.) Further, mainstream media coverage involving Wiccans, Pagans, or NeoPagans plays on public fears and, at the very least, does nothing to correct misunderstandings. NBC had a special on "Occult Crimes" and the pictures included a pentagram, a black alter candle, and a candle of Baphomet (most Christians would not know this candle represented Baphomet, and His horns would indicate to them that He was the devil) with no explanation of what crime they represented - or even what they were. (Highly unprofessional, to say the least.) When Wicca is mentioned in such a piece alongside the sacrifice of chickens with no mention that animal sacrifice is not a Wiccan practice, misconceptions are strengthened. This same piece interviewed Christian clergy, but included not one Pagan clergy member. Many Christians also interpret Biblical phrases to prohibit Wicca. It is important to note here that two people can read the same passage and arrive at completely different conclusions. (For example, reading Babylon the Whore to mean the Goddess, where other people have read it to mean America, and still others have read it to mean Rome, etc). It is also important to note that translations done over the centuries coupled with changes in the connotations of words mean that one would be wise to investigate the original texts (and the connotation of those words when they were written) before coming to a conclusion. However, humans (regardless of religion) rarely do this on ANY subject. More information can be found on Biblical passages here: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr5.htm In my case, I was given these passages, and told what they meant, when I was very young. It really didn't occur to me to question whether or not the information was accurate. As a young adult, we had sessions on Satanism and Witchcraft in our youth group. Many signs were presented as Satanic, including: the pentagram, the hexagram, the ankh, the Eye of Horus, the Eye of Ra, the peace sign, and the yin-yang symbol. No documentation or research was presented to substantiate this information, but that is true of any class we had. Only when I was older and began to learn critical thinking and logic as philosophical disciplines did I question these beliefs. Most people never do (people tend to be busy with other things). Other Christians have done this critical thinking and come to the conclusion that the passages DO mean Wicca. (Such as it is any religion, social science, art, etc.) People can look at the same information and draw completely different conclusions. Certainly, the behavior of some Wiccans and Pagans doesn't help. Many come from a Christian background and have been hurt by a few Christians, Pastors, etc. Because of the hurt they carry with them, they rant about Christianity and all (or most) Christians. This only gives Christians further confirmation that Wicca is anti-Christian. It is also my personal opinion that liberal use of the word Witch without any explanation of the connotation and meaning meant contributes to the misunderstandings. I'm not going to speculate on how things SHOULD be, but only on how things are. The word witch/Witch has a negative connotation to the majority of the population. If you do not explain YOUR meaning, they will assume you mean the same thing that they do when they use the word. Nothing in the Bible specifically uses the word "demonic" for Pagan religions. When I was Christian, I thought that they were demonic because demons were the subordinates of Satan, and the Wiccans/Witches worshipped Satan. I was also told, and believed, that all magic was the art of ordering demons to do things for you. (Some ceremonial magic does involve summoning demons.)

Speaking as a Christian I can expressly give you the reasons for believing that Wiccan symbols are associated with Satanism. Pentagrams represent Satan's head as a goat; hence, the five points. Anything associated with magic, evil, or Satanism is clearly demonic, which includes Wiccanism. Wiccanism is demonic because it glorifies false gods and nature. The only entity we're to serve and glorify is God, our Heavenly Father & Jesus, Our Saviour. God created nature. There's no reason to glorify the created, rather we're to glorify God, our CREATOR. One of the 10 Commandments expressly states that we're not to worship anything other than God. I hope this helps to answer your question.

Not that I don't whole-heartedly love a good round of arguments, but look how easy it is to miss the forest for the trees? Most simply put, when Christianity, in the form of the Holy Roman Empire and their Centurions, swept across Europe it incorporated many of the local traditions of the people it overcame. This was done as a way of easing the heathens and pagans to converting to Christianity. Look to Christmas as a prime example: Biblical historians have shown that December 25 has absolutely nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. It became associated with that because the pagans were already celebrating that day as the re-birth of their god (who was also the son, and the concubine of the goddess, and so on). Halloween is another example, as is the Catholic Candlemass. Anyway, I'm falling prey to the same loquaciousness as these other esteemed commentators... BOTTOM LINE..... The gods of the conquered people have always become the devils of the victors. It happened with Celtic/pagan deities, just as it happened to the gods of Babylon and Egypt before them. When you look from a historical reference, not a religious one, it becomes very easy to see that while gods, goddesses and symbols can very easily be twisted into something evil and bad (like most monotheistic religions have done... mostly, I think, because these "loner" gods don't like competition), their place as such is nothing other than negative campaigning, like good, old-fashioned American politics!

I'm Christian and don't find any such icons demonic in the least ... nor do I find other icons to posses magical protective, healing or other properties. It all depends on what's in the heart of the individual (be they Christian, Wiccan or whatever!) not on some inanimate object in their possesion.

What is novel about the pentagram as a "demonic symbol" is that it appears not only in the Bible as a symbol given to men by God as a protective symbol, but also appears in some poetry with a decidedly Christian explanation as to the symbol's meaning. The Archangel Michael gave King Solomon a ring engraved with a pentagram, which he used to control and protect himself from demons. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" features a pentagram on Sir Gawain's shield, and this is commonly seen as symbolizing Gawain's Christian faith in the protection of God and Christ. So apparently the pentagram itself is a Christian symbol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Gawain_and_the_Green_Knight#The_pentangle

I don't need to write a book in here like others did.. it is pratty plain and simple my friend, either you are FOR Christ, or you are AGAINST Christ...there are no in bewteens about it, no grey area. So in closing, if you are not FOR Christ, serving Him on a daily or for that matter, a 24-7, 365 day a year servanthood, then you are AGAINST Him..I didn't write the Bible, but that is life's blueprint to live by.

They are very blinkered and see their beliefs as the only true belief! Also they are afraid of what they dont understand! And they put their holy days on top of ours! But of course they will say that it was their dates first lol!!! Let them think what they want,we fellow pagans know better! "An it harm none,do as ye will" I also want to add,i have actually heard some people say they are a christian witch!!!!LMAO whats that all about!No such thing

I'm not sure that most do, but for what it's worth, I do have a completely secular idea, vaguely backed up by some small knowledge of classical/dark age European history. Christianity currently sits on about 1700 years of argument, debate, and competition. As a growing religion it was mostly ignored for it's first century or so, although when it stood on Rome's toes it's believers were made scapegoats and somewhat persecuted. It's real power began with Constantine the Great, who in 313 announced toleration of Christianity in the Edict of Milan, removing penalties for professing Christianity and returning confiscated Church property. By 340 Byzantium had been transformed into Constantinople, and was the first Christian city in the world, with no pagan temples or sites being permitted. Constantine adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire and from then on, as an organisation, it hasn't looked back. What's important in answering the question is that this adoption hugely increased the power of the early Christian church, which began a centuries-long campaign to convert others. This is where I think some of the problems referred to in the question begin. It is notable that many christian holy dates conform to what origionally were pagan holy dates and this gives some clue to how any conversions would have been attempted. Adopt some of the existing religious practices or dates as your own (as the Romans had done for many years) and it becomes less of a wrench for people to change their religion - their practices still retain some familiarity. I'm afraid that some pagan practices however, were used by the church to condemn those unwilling to change, and later, about from the 14 century onwards, to condemn individuals on the grounds of superstition and the zeal of the church (which often meant the greed or ambition of the local priest/pastor/call him what you will - I think I've read somewhere that there are examples of the church taking the belongings of condemned witches once the ashes had cooled). Fairly simple PR really - what you can't adopt to make your life or goal easier, you condemn, to ostracise and isolate and hopefully bring about a change of mind that way. I believe we still live with the after effects of these decisions, deeply embedded in our consciousness, as well as our calender, which is why some may still (almost automatically) consider wiccan holy items to be 'the work of the devil'.

Perhaps it has to deal with the 'satanic scares' in the 1980s... There has never been a good understanding between Christianity & those involved in Wicca & Paganism... Alot of our information comes from occult dabblers or charlitains...

To put it simply, most Christians are ignorant about Wicca, and most other religions as well. They just don't know enough about it. This also dates back to the middle ages when Christian leaders caused fear to those who weren't Christian by talk of demons and such, essentially "demonizing" any pagan religions.

The simplest way I can put it is this, and I'm just stating a Christian point of view here, similar to what SSDirk said: I, as a Christian, believe that there is God, Christ, Holy Spirit, angels on one side, and Satan and his demons on the other. I believe this to be a matter of fact and not subject to any human concept of an "other" or "middle ground" type category. Two polar opposites. Any religious practice/belief is either truth that glorifies God and brings us closer to Him through Christ, or it takes us away from Him. ANY practice that deceives people into following any other path is a "win" for Satan's side. Anything 'mystical' that Wiccans do, since it would not be accomplished by angels behind the scenes, must therefore be demonic. My parents used to be missionaries in Haiti. The Voodoo rituals performed there have very 'spooky' results. The difference is they KNOW they're invoking Satan and his demons. Someone (and I don't know exactly who it was) once said that every religion on the planet that's not Christ-centered and Biblically founded is just another denomination of the Church of Satan. From a Christian point of view there's a lot of truth to that. I hope I've answered the question and won't get DR'd too harshly for doing so:)

I AM A CHRISTIAN. Untill recently, (untill the help of AntigoneRising and a few other ABres, as well as some web sites), I knew NOTHING about the TRUE ideas are pertaining to Wicca beliefs. ( I am still not that informed) however, I can Understand it more now. there is no accurate or reasonable portrayal of the beliefs or practices in MOVIES, or every day curture... ( The wicker man" movie for example, not a good practice) IE its just what were exposed to, not really what is taught but exposed too that gives us our current ideas on the matter... its wrong of course.

respectfully, knowing that this is the Wicca section, most Christians believe that spiritual powers that are not directly attributed to God must be attributed to some other spiritual realm. Being lopsidedly (because they are not equal) dualistic in our spiritual world view, that only leaves one alternative. I hope that answers your question without me being judgmental.

From what I have been able to learn so far: Wicca is a Neopagan religion, which started in the late 1940s. However, its symbols, days of celebration, beliefs and deities go back to about 800 B.C.E. and the beginnings of ancient Celtic society. Some Wiccan are + Monotheistic, recognizing a single supreme being, "The All" or "The One" + Duotheistic, worshiping a female Goddess and a male God, "the Lady and Lord" + Polytheistic, recognizing many ancient Gods and Goddesses, like Pan, Diana, Dionysius, Fergus, etc. + Atheistic, viewing the Goddesses and Gods as symbols, not living entities Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be the same thing. Others think that Wicca (a religion) and Witchcraft (the practice of magic by anyone) are different things. Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some concentrate only on the spirituality of the Wiccan religion and do not practice magic. In Christianity, Satan is a fallen angel, the devil. Wiccans recognize neither Christ nor Satan and are therefore not Satanists. Wiccan behavior is governed by the Wiccan Rede which permits Wiccans to engage in carefully considered actions (including magic), as long as they harm nobody, including themselves. Therefore, they claim that they are limited to non-manipulative, consensual, positive magic. Other pagan groups that use witchcraft do not follow this rule. http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_intr.htm http://www.holysmoke.org/wicca/satvnp.htm http://www.witchway.net/ + Point 1: How can anyone possibly be wise enough to properly determine every possible consequence of the use of magic? Have you ever herd of the "butterfly effect"? The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that ultimately cause a tornado to appear (or prevent a tornado from appearing). This is an example of the more technical notion of sensitive dependence on initial conditions in chaos theory. Small variations of the initial condition of a nonlinear dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect + Point 2: Monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam disagree with the Wiccan view of God and magic. Christians believe that all supernatural power (including magic) either comes from God or Satan. God did not intend humans to wield this power. We request (pray) God to do some good thing like a miracle but we acknowledge God’s will first, “Thy will be done.” Using supernatural power puts us in contention with the will of God and even in the position of being God. Catholic Church teaches: All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service ... - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2117: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt1.htm With love in Christ.

By definition, to Christians, non-Christians are Infidels; same as, to Islamists, non-Islamists are Infidels. Infidels are demonic, unworthy of life together with non-Infidels, Christian or Islamic. To Judaists, non-Judaists are Gentiles; probably no better than Infidels, yet deserving to live and to serve Judaists. Bottom line: Us vs Them. They all fear Wiccans, just as they fear each other. Bottom line: Then vs Us.

the same reason that when a pretty woman walks into a room , and someone comments on her . another woman will say ..."yea , but the're fake." ;-)

Just simple miss-education. That's where just about all misunderstandings stem from.

They don't realise that the crucifix is also a satanic symbol, although like the pentagram, satanists turn it upside down.

To Christians, everything that is not Christian is demonic. Best not to look too deeply into it.

Okay, I am a christian, and for the record. I don't think everything that isn't christian is demonic. And when the point of the star in a pentagram is at the bottom of the circle, it is satan ruling. when the point is at the top of the circle it is god ruling. http://www.spellsandmagic.com/pentagrams.html

Years of bad horror movies have poisoned their minds.

Because X-ians are idiots overall

I'm a follower of Christ. My transgender child is Wiccan and I asked "him" to take down a wiccan altar that he had put up in his room. I love my child and he is free to make his own choices in his life. He is not free to do whatever he wants in my house. More than my child I love Christ Jesus who I know as the word of God made flesh. The word of God is clear that we should worship the creator and not the creation. There are also scores of admonitions in the Bible against altar building and the erection of Asherah poles (which are dedications to the goddess) The following is just my opinion: I see Wicca as fundamentally demonic because it does not acknowledge the distance between mankind and God. It glorifies creation and celebrates the immanence of the holy. What's wrong with this? Our nature is that we are in distance from God (eviction from the garden of eden). In other words our nature is sin. Without recognizing this fallen nature we have no need for Christ, who died in order that we may be restored in our relationship with God. Without recognizing our sin nature we are slaves to satan who loves glorifying his inferior and derivative light (lucifer). With due respect, I see Wicca as an investment in the illusion of personal power and willful rebuke of the Holy Spirit. I hope that gives some theological and personal explanation as to why Christians see demonic (if not Satanic) influences at work in Wiccan worship.

Fear of the unknown I think.For the record,from coincidences, intuitive flashes,and syncronicity got to say there is more out there than we know,or can explain.Personally I believe in consequences,and rather not begin what I can not finish or undo.

I went to a Catholic school and brought an artical on Wiccan, they said it was healthy that I am learing about other faiths. As far as the magic goes we were taught not to take it serously.