The term (Pagan) is often heard being used to describe a person, their beliefs or one or more particular religions depending on who is using it and the context in which it is being used. Many people even think that the term (Pagan) has some connection to Satanism or Satanic worship.
In fact the actual word itself has been traced back to its origins and many people find it surprising to learn that it is derived from the Latin word (Paganus) which in translation means (one who lives in the country). Its connection to polytheistic religious beliefs is unclear in its origins but it has been traced to Europe’s stifling religious atmosphere of the late Middle Ages. It is commonly used by bible thumpers to smear anyone who doesn’t follow in line with their rigid, straight jacket view of the earth and the universe it is a part of but one thing is for sure is that by definition it does not describe a Wiccan or Wicca exclusively. 
The word stuck with Wiccans for a few reasons that are actually very sound hence it is now pretty much universally understood that a pagan and a Wiccan are one in the same. The first good reason the word got grabbed up by Wiccans is that the first ones to use it were the Romans who used it to describe traditional rural peasants who were left out of Rome’s conversion to Christianity. It was city dwellers in Rome who endured the brunt of Rome’s religious and political conversion and just as it is today joining the popular religion of the day was and still is a prudent choice many people make.
The next good reason that the term has been widely accepted by Wiccans is that for the last five hundred years or so the word (Pagan) has been tossed around in a multitude of terms by Christians to describe anyone who is not one of them and by definition Wiccans are not Christian and have no desire to be associated with the business of Christianity. Thirdly it’s a good sounding word that has a nice catchy ring to it and anyone who appreciates the sound of words will attest to this.
So just like so many other words and phrases that are in common use it took a roundabout journey to arrive here and people just use it and accept it. If a Wiccan chooses to refer to themselves as a pagan they are doing what is commonly accepted and if someone wishes to debate its origins or definition they can do so if they wish but first they will have to find someone who is willing to take the time to argue with them.
3 responses so far ↓
AutumnDawn // Sep 1, 2008 at 9:44 am
So if someone were to ask me, what the difference was between a Pagan and a Wiccan, how could I explain it in an understandable way?
kyle // Mar 24, 2009 at 1:29 pm
explain it like this, there is no real difference betwixt a wiccan and a pagan other than the fact that they call themselves a different word to say the exact same thing. Other than the opinion that pagans worship the sixth element (death) and wiccans only worship the traditional five (earth wind water fire and spirit), which is incorrect as wiccans and pagans both have death rituals, and celebrations honoring the dead, (halloween stems from one of the celtic honor rituals) there truly is no difference.
Chaoistechnician // Nov 8, 2009 at 5:41 pm
“Pagan”, or “Paganism” are umbrella terms now a days. They mean only that the person they refer to follows an earth-based religious or spiritual path. Wicca is a paganistic path that follows it’s own rules and laws. Other such examples are druidism, shamanism, and such. Much like a square is a rhombus, by mathematical definition, a wiccan is a pagan, if only by what pagan means.
Pagans, as a whole, do not include the worship of the six, or seventh, or nth element. In fact, pagans as a whole are a group so fractured by the separate groups, that the main use of the word is used by those who can’t keep it all straight.
If you truly hate being called a pagan, then take the time to explain to the person that you are a wiccan. Much as not all birds are flamingoes, not all pagans are wiccans. However, all flamingoes are still birds, and all wiccans are still pagans.
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