Reply #53: I wanted to clarify something for you...

[Solon]

that you seem woefully ignorant of, and that is what these various terms mean. Paganism and Neo-Paganism are "Catch all" terms that are ERRONIOUSLY used interchangeably with Wiccan. Think of Paganism as the same level of term as Monotheism would be. Very general, in modern terms, as a belief in a Western or Near-Eastern Religion that predates Christianity or adopts beliefs from pre-Christian Europe and Near East. That is a very rough description of what most people call Paganism in today's terminology.

These "splinter" groups didn't splinter from anything, they evolved independently from each other, from various different sources. An Example are the Reconstructionist Religions, these are religions that are reconstructions from the exact same religions from various different regions of Europe or Africa adapted for modern use. They try to recreate the rituals and invocations, as closely as possible, of those of ancient peoples from these regions. Kemetics try to reconstruct the rituals and invocations of the Ancient Egyptian religion, Hellenes do the same for Greek Religion, etc.

These are separate from Wicca, which is a specific religion with specific beliefs that differenciate from other Pagan type religions in many respects. However, as I said, Pagan is a catch all term, and not always accurate. Wicca is a modern religion, about 50 years old, that adopts many of the practices, beliefs, and rituals of Ancient Celts from Britian, Ireland and German sources, and Witchcraft as well. The only splintering is details usually, a Wiccan is still a Wiccan, whether a member of an established coven, like a Gardenian or is a solitary practitioner.

These are called Traditions, think of them as Denominations, and think of Wicca as equivelent in the heirarchy to Christianity in general, a Christian is still a Christian if they are Baptist or Catholic, regardless of what they think of each other. Actually, that is one thing that sets Wicca far apart from Christianity and many other religions.

We Wiccans believe in a "Many Paths" type of theology, in other words, there is no wrong way to believe, only in misapplication of labels. There is no punishment for not believing as we do, and we are forbidden from proselytizing. Hell, debates rage within the community as to whether it is ethical to raise your own kids in the religion, that it should only be of the child's free choice at a certain age, and having no exposure of the religion is actually encouraged in some circles. Can you imagine a Christian even having a doubt about whether that is ethical?

There is no governing body for Wiccans, there are organizations, many political, others social, almost none that send out religious decrees. Most usually fight for our rights, like allowing Wiccan Soldiers to worship on Army bases. The Army actually doesn't give a shit one way or the other, Wicca is mentioned in the Army Chaplain's Handbook, and I heard there are a few Wiccan Chaplains as well. Not to mention that other groups such as Native Americans and the Hindu Alliance also help us, and we help them, no matter how futile it seems. Both filed "friend of the court" briefs on the Wiccan's behalf in the case in the OP.