wiccan v.s. pagan

[Syri Whiteflame]

i've been playing with this idea some off and on since summer, and i'd like to get a little in put (from someone who's actually wiccan or pagan as apoused to the somewhat blind imput i've had thus far).
what is the essential difference between pagan's and wiccan's. i mean i know that wicca is pagan and all that, but ... i mean what's the difference between being a pagan and being specifically wiccan? where is the line drawn?

[Leandra]

Pagan is a broad term that is used to describe many different religions and spiritual paths. Pagan usually refers to any of the pre-Christian, polytheistic religions, and those who practice them. Pagan religions include Asatru, Santeria, Voodoo, or Shamanism. Pagan beliefs differ from one religion to the next.

Wicca is a Pagan religion. Wiccans, no matter the tradition, have the same beliefs, follow the same rules, and have similar practices.

You can say the line is drawn when it comes down to beliefs and practices. A Pagan might celebrate all of the sabbats, believe in the Three-fold Law, and a female divine being. A Wiccan would believe in all of that also, but they would also believe in the other aspects of the Wiccan religion.

[SlayerDrow]

Well said Leandra!

[Syri Whiteflame]

okay, so basicly the line is just drawn in specifics. thanks.

[SilverDragonLily]

Additional Definition: Pagan is also used to define a minority religion. Since Christianity is the majority religion at this moment, anything outside of the norms of that religion would be consider Pagan
at one point, Christianity itself was Pagan, when the normal religion in Rome was what we know as Paganism today...
but also as Leandra said, Wicca does fall into the Pagan category but remember that not all Pagans are Wiccans but all Wiccans would be Pagan...
hope that helps:)

[moongoddess]

also pagan is much older tthan pagan. when it comes to beliefs though there pertty much the same. wicca is based off of the ancient teachings of pagans. wicca also means neo pagan. new pagan.