Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that was developed in the early 20th century. It is based on ancient pagan beliefs and practices, but it also incorporates modern ideas and practices. Wicca is centered around the worship of nature and a belief in the divine power and interconnectedness of all things. Wiccans celebrate the cycles of nature, including the changing of the seasons and the cycles of the moon. They believe in the existence of a supreme being or divine power, often referred to as the God and Goddess, who are seen as the embodiment of both masculine and feminine energy. Wiccans also believe in the practice of magic and spellcasting, which they see as a way to harness natural energies and create positive change in their lives and the world around them.
Sikhism was founded at the turn of the 16th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab, a region now split between India and Pakistan. More than nine-in-ten Sikhs are in India, but there are also sizable Sikh communities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The World Religion Database estimates there are a total of about 25 million Sikhs worldwide.
Reliable regional data on the median age of followers of other world religions is available only for Asia and the Pacific, where it is 33, four years older than the overall regional median 29. Still, Wicca religion is getting back on its feet after suffering centuries of wicked and murderous persecutions when the church attempted to end it.
Wiccans also believe in the practice of magic and spellcasting, which they see as a way to harness natural energies and create positive change in their lives and the world around them. Magic in Wicca is often seen as a form of prayer or meditation, and it is performed by creating rituals and using various tools, such as candles, herbs, and crystals. Wicca is a decentralized religion, and there is no central authority or governing body.
Other Religions
Worldwide, there are an estimated 58 million members of other religions, accounting for nearly 1% of the global population. The “other religions” category is diverse and comprises groups not classified elsewhere. This category includes followers of religions that are not specifically measured in surveys and censuses in most countries: the Baha’i faith, Taoism, Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Tenrikyo, Wicca, Zoroastrianism and many others. Because of the paucity of census and survey data, the Pew Forum has not estimated the size of individual religions within this category, though some estimates from other sources are provided in the Spotlight on Other Religions sidebar below.
Members of other world religions are heavily concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region (89%). The remainder is divided among North America (4%), sub-Saharan Africa (3%), Latin America and the Caribbean (2%), Europe (2%) and the Middle East and North Africa (less than 1%).
Although the majority of members of other religions live in Asia and the Pacific, only about 1% of the people in the region adhere to these faiths. In the remaining regions, members of other religions make up less than 1% of the population.
India has the largest share (47%) of all members of other religions, including millions of Sikhs and Jains. Outside India, the largest shares of people who belong to faiths in the “other religion” category are in China (16%), Japan (10%), Taiwan (7%), North Korea (5%) and the United States (3%).
Adherents of “other religions” do not make up a majority of the population in any country.
Median Age
Globally, members of other religions are older (median age of 32) than the overall global population (median age of 28). Reliable regional data on the median age of followers of other world religions is available only for Asia and the Pacific, where it is 33, four years older than the overall regional median (29).
Spotlight on Other Religions
The “other religions” category is diverse and comprises all groups not classified elsewhere. It includes followers of religions that are not specifically measured in most censuses and surveys, including but not limited to the faiths listed below. Estimates of population sizes for these groups generally come from sources other than censuses and nationally representative surveys.
The Baha’i faith began in Persia (now Iran) in the 19th century. Baha’is are widely dispersed across many countries, with significant populations in India, the United States, Kenya and elsewhere. The Baha’i International Community reports more than 5 million adherents.
Jainism originated in India and dates back to at least the 6th century B.C.E. Today, the vast majority of Jains live in India, though significant numbers also are found among Indian immigrant communities in Kenya, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The 2001 Indian census enumerated more than 4 million Jains in India, but some Jains have contended that number is a substantial undercount. According to estimates by the World Religion Database, there are fewer than 250,000 Jains outside India.
Shintoism is a Japanese faith that has been part of religious life in Japan for many centuries. Although Shinto rituals are widely practiced in Japan, only a minority of the Japanese population identifies with Shintoism in surveys. The World Religion Database estimates there are almost 3 million Shintoists worldwide, with the vast majority concentrated in Japan.
Sikhism was founded at the turn of the 16th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab, a region now split between India and Pakistan. More than nine-in-ten Sikhs are in India, but there are also sizable Sikh communities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The World Religion Database estimates there are a total of about 25 million Sikhs worldwide.
Taoism (also known as Daoism) traditionally is said to have been founded in the 6th century B.C.E. by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Adherents live predominantly in China and Taiwan. The World Religion Database estimates there are more than 8 million Taoists.
Tenrikyo was founded in the 19th century by Nakayama Miki in Japan. The faith is one of many new Japanese religions; others include Shinreikyo, Mahakari, Omoto and PL Kyodan. Reliable estimates of the number of followers of Tenrikyo and other new Japanese religions are not available.
Wicca is a Pagan or neo-Pagan religion that gained popularity in the 20th century. It is practiced mostly in the United Kingdom and the United States. Reliable estimates of the number of Wiccans around the world are not available.
Zoroastrianism traditionally is said to have been founded by Zarathustra in Persia sometime before the 6th century B.C.E. Adherents live mainly in India and Iran. The World Religion Database estimates there are about 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide.
Other faiths in the “other religions” category include Cao Dai, I-Kuan Tao, Mandaeism, the Rastafari movement, the Rātana movement, Scientology and Yazidism, to list just a few.
Zoroastrianism traditionally is said to have been founded by Zarathustra in Persia sometime before the 6th century B.C.E. Adherents live mainly in India and Iran. The World Religion Database estimates there are about 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide.
Instead, Wiccans gather in covens, which are small groups of individuals who come together to practice and celebrate their beliefs. Covens are often led by a priestess and priest, who guide the group in their rituals and ceremonies. One of the most well-known aspects of Wicca is its emphasis on the principles of love and harmony. Wiccans believe in living in harmony with nature and strive to create a world that is balanced and just. They also believe in living with respect for all beings and for the earth itself. In addition to their religious beliefs and practices, many Wiccans also engage in activities such as energy healing, divination, and herbalism. These practices are seen as complementary to their spiritual beliefs and are often used to enhance their connection to the natural world. Overall, Wicca is a diverse and multifaceted religion that draws on ancient pagan traditions while also incorporating modern ideas and beliefs. It is a religion that celebrates the beauty and power of nature and seeks to live in harmony with the world around us..
Reviews for "Wiccan Ethics: Responsibility and Freedom in Witchcraft"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I found "Wicxa religion facta" to be highly inaccurate and misleading. The information presented in this book was clearly biased and lacked any substantial evidence to support its claims. It seemed more like a work of fiction rather than an educational resource on witchcraft. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this book if you are looking for factual information about Wicca.
2. Jessica Thompson - 2 stars
I was deeply disappointed with "Wicxa religion facta". It promised to provide a comprehensive understanding of Wicca, but instead, it skimmed over important details and provided generic, surface-level explanations. The book lacked depth and failed to fully delve into the historical and cultural aspects of the religion. Additionally, I found numerous grammatical errors and typos, which significantly impacted my overall reading experience. I would advise readers to seek out more reliable and well-researched sources on Wicca.
3. Michael Anderson - 1 star
"Wicxa religion facta" left me feeling frustrated and misled. The author's interpretation of Wicca seemed heavily skewed, presenting a distorted view of the religion. The book lacked objectivity and failed to acknowledge the diversity within the Wiccan community. It had a condescending tone towards those who practice Wicca, perpetuating stereotypes instead of providing a fair and balanced account. I would caution readers to approach this book with caution, double-checking any information presented.
4. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
As someone interested in exploring different belief systems, I was disappointed in "Wicxa religion facta". While it claimed to offer facts about Wicca, the book was lacking in depth and detail. It felt more like a simplistic overview rather than an in-depth exploration of the religion. The information provided was vague, and I was left with more questions than answers. I would recommend looking for more comprehensive and well-researched books on Wicca to gain a better understanding of this complex religion.