Pagan Religions in Five Minutes - Suzanne Owen
50. Are Satanism and Paganism the Same?
Pagan Religions in Five Minutes - Suzanne Owen
Ethan Doyle White [+]
University College London
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A trained archaeologist, Ethan Doyle White is currently undertaking doctoral research into the archaeological evidence for popular religion in early medieval Britain at University College London (UCL). As an independent scholar, he is an established figure in the field of contemporary Pagan studies, being the author of both Wicca: History, Belief, and Community in Modern Pagan Witchcraft (Sussex Academic Press, 2016) and a range of articles in such peer-reviewed journals as The Pomegranate, Nova Religio, and Magic, Ritual and Witchcraft. His current research interests focus on pre-Christian and folk religiosity in early medieval Europe alongside the adoption of pre-Christian beliefs and imagery within modern Pagan new religious movements.
Description
Satanism and Paganism are two distinct movements with some areas of overlap. While Satanism focuses on Satan as a figure of worship, Paganism draws inspiration from pre-Christian traditions. Both movements utilised imagery and identities historically opposed to Christianity. Confusion between Satanism and Wicca, the largest Pagan religion, has led to moral panic, while both traditions are sometimes combined.