The problem lies in the connotations of certain words, i.e., how these words have come to be used, not necessarily what the words actually mean...Plus, many people react in fear or loathing to these words and yet they have never researched them---they lash out with an ingrained reaction with no logic behind the fear.

Infamous Witches

The negative stereotype of Witches has existed in popular culture, from the Middle Ages to this very day, and has been supplanted in our consciousness, from medieval tapestries, Shakespearean characterizations, Grimms' fairy tales and nursery rhymes, and on into current films.  Witches tend to be portrayed as an older woman "hell-bent" on tricking or harming a young girl out of some powerful motive (i.e., greed for power, love, talent, wealth, etc.).  Another common portrayal of Witches that persists is the persona of a woman who shows and enjoys her passionate nature, further eroding true progress in the struggle to release women's natural sexuality from medieval myth and modern-day skin-mags.

Famous Wizards 

It is interesting to note that today's Wizards, the male counterpart of the "witch", tend to receive a more respectable portrayal as the wizened sage, often a mentor to a young man who will (or should) succeed the Wizard at some point.

Witch - from Middle English wicche, from Old English wicce, "witch", and wicca.  See weg- in Indo-European Roots.

Pagan - from Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, "country-dweller", "civilian", from pagus, "country", "rural district". See pag- in Indo-European Roots.

Reference Used:

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.  Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.

Witchcraft -  (1 Sam. 15:23; 2 Kings 9:22; 2 Chr. 33:6; Micah 5:12; Nahum 3:4; Gal. 5:20).  In the popular sense of the word no mention is made either of witches or of witchcraft in Scripture. The "witch of Endor" (1 Sam. 28) was a necromancer, i.e., one who feigned to hold converse with the dead. The damsel with "a spirit of divination" (Acts 16:16) was possessed by an evil spirit, or, as the words are literally rendered, "having a spirit, a pithon." 

(Note: The "spirit" reference is to Apollo, who was regarded as the god of prophecy.)

Reference Used:

M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition. Thomas Nelson (ed.), 1897.

U.S. Department of the Army

"Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: 

A Handbook for Chaplains", 2001.

HISTORICAL ORIGIN:  Wicca is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly influenced by the living Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other parts of the world.

BASIC BELIEFS:  Wiccans worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deity. Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the world's pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a focus for personal devotions. Similarly, covens will use particular Deity names as a group focus, and these are often held secret by the groups.  It is very important to be aware that Wiccans do not in any way worship or believe in "Satan," "the Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of rebellion against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not revile the Bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving just as much respect as any of the others.

PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:  The core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan Rede" states "an it harm none, do what you will."  The Rede fulfills the same function as does the "Golden Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be elaborations and applications of the Rede... Social forces generally do not yet allow Witches to publicly declare their religious faith without fear of reprisals such as loss of job, child custody challenges, ridicule, etc.  Prejudice against Wiccans is the result of public confusion between Witchcraft and Satanism.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: ...There are many distinct "Traditions" of Wicca, just as there are many denominations within Christianity.

OTHER:  With respect to attitude toward military service, Wiccans range from career military personnel to conscientious objectors. Wiccans do not proselytize and generally resent those who do. They believe that no one Path to the Sacred is right for all people, and see their own religious pattern as only one among many that are equally worthy. Wiccans respect all religions that foster honor and compassion in their adherents, and expect the same respect. Members are encouraged to learn about all faiths, and are permitted to attend the services of other religions, should they desire to do so.

REFERENCE USED:
U.S. Department of the Army.  Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains.  University Press of the Pacific, 2001.