I want to be a pagan or wican but I keep on hearing of barbaric sacrifices. Is any of it really true?

First off, Pagan is an umbrella term under which many, many religions fall. Wicca is only one of them, and even within Wicca you have a lot of variation.

Very very very few Pagans sacrifice animals as part of their religious practices... for the most part, it is just not something you are going to run into very often. I've been Pagan 25 years, and I am big on taking road trips across the country to go to big festivals and rituals and such, I've belonged to a coven, I've run groups... I have never personally witnessed an animal sacrifice (unless offering was the meat of an animal was dead already and purchased at the supermarket in plastic-wrapped packages).

And, as Maiingan pointed out, it's not like some horror movie where it's a blood lust slaughter that you roll around in. Those who do on the rare occasion sacrifice animals do so with reverence and respect for the animal, not unlike the way subsistent hunters develop a respect and reverence for their prey.

I think I've read about one group of Wiccans who perform animal sacrifice-- back in the 60's/70's in the UK, they were farm people. They sacrificed chickens for certain holy days in celebration of the harvest; they made an offering to the Gods and feasted on the rest.

Given that these people were farmers though, killing chickens was a routine part of their daily life, and animals were part of their harvest feast, it seemed natural to include harvesting meat for them just as it was natural to include harvested grain as part of the harvest celebration.

There are probably other Pagans who do-- hunters, farmers, homesteaders, etc.-- but it's so rare that unless they actually invite you to their home, I wouldn't worry about it.

On the flip side, there are a lot of Pagans, particularly Wiccans, who shun animal sacrifice, there are some who even live a vegan lifestyle they're so opposed to the killing or use of animals by man. You're much more likely to run into that.

The ONLY reason anyone says Pagans sacrifice animals (including humans) is to make them seem so scary you'll avoid them at all costs.

I've been Pagan for 18 years. I've never intentionally harmed any animal. In fact, I love animals and to harm them in a reckless and disrespectful manner goes against my morals and ethics.

Being Pagan has helped me understand certain events in my life and why they happened. Being Christian, all I was got was "It was God's will", and was expected to be satisfied with that answer. It wasn't enough. I got a much better answer and a much better understanding through Pagan explanations, and have never looked back.

If you want to be Pagan, you'll have to search for your own reasons. Research it through reputable resources and not ask those who would be biased against it. There are lots of resources out there for you to look at. I suggest the book "Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions" by Joyce and River Higgenbotham.

Here are some other reputable resources that give you ACCURATE information on Wicca:
http://wicca.cnbeyer.com/category/wiccan-basics/
https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/First-Lesson-in-Wicca101-What-Wicca-Is-and-What-It-Is-Not
http://themysticalpagan.blogspot.ca/search/label/Is%20Wicca...

No.

A person can know with certainty there is only One God by reciting daily and with care the angelic psalter of the Blessed Virgin.