Why do ppl practicing "pagan" beliefs identify themselves as pagan?

Question

I mean pagan was a derogatory word (something to the effect of hillbilly or country dweller) used by christians to identify non-christians! Is there no original name for those beliefs that can be used? I'm not religious and just curious! I'm not trying to offend anyone here!

Answer 1

Christians love to label everyone! The name and rituals probably got wiped out like a lot of world history! Plus history is always told the way the winner wants it to appear since its written by them. It's not necessarily the truth!

Answer 2

Yes, it meant something similar to a country-dweller. Then in Christian usage it gradually took on the meaning of non-Christian. The people referred to as "Paganus" may have thought of themselves as "pagani" in relation to where they lived (if they lived in a pagus), but they wouldn't have applied the term to their religious practices. So the term "pagan" (in a religious context) was originally a label that was applied to a group of people, not from themselves, but from a culture outside of their own. A person calling themselves "pagan" is a relatively new practice which may at best be traced back to the Modern Pagan movement of the Romantic period.

To answer your question, the label that I use depends upon whom I am speaking to. When talking to others who know the origins of the word, we generally use the word "polytheist" or "neo-pagan". The pre-fix "neo" meaning new differentiates between the ancient peoples referred to as Pagans (or Paganus) and modern polytheists attempting to honor the ancient deities of those peoples. When in the context of general conversation with folks who may not have any linguistic interests or may not be familiar with the history of the Celts, it is simplier to use the word "pagan" to get my meaning across. I try to use whichever word seems best for the situation, although I will admit that sometimes I do get lazy in my terminology.

Unfortunately, there is no original name for the indigeneous beliefs and practices of the ancient Celts. If the Celts would have had a word for their religion, it would have likely been something similar to "living" or "being" since religion wasn't separated from their way of life.

Answer 3

Pagans and Paganism were/was outlawed by Romans so they could bring in their own religion to the countries they were conquering. The terms were made derogatory by the Romans, so the Pagans practiced their beliefs queitly and behind the backs of the Romans. Many were killed. Paganism was the first religion...it is the celebration of the seasons and the earth.

Answer 4

before christianity came as a real practiced 'belief' the only major religious pagans around were:
1)pagans
2)wiccans(witches)

pagan is a word refering to the belief in more than one diety.
when christianity came along ...at first they didnt play fair they converted people to christianity through kings and emperors who fought wars for them, they also tried to make other beliefs look bad...for example...the wiccan God is idolized as a faun with horns and a tail playing a flute(usually on a meadow with women drinking wine.lol) now christians made their evil 'satan' to look just like that and told everyone:"hey, dont be a witch they're evil...they follow the evil 'satan'"
for a while thats how they got to power but then they basicly settled down and started to be a fair religion

so your answer is christianity made pagans look bad to gain more followers and so they gave pagans a bad name

Answer 5

There probaly is, but over the centuries of smoke and mirrors thrown up by ancient Christian leaders the names have been lost to history. I am a Pagan so to me the name is not as relivant as the belief itself. No I do not worship or believe in a Satan or Devil.

Answer 6

Many times simply for lack of a better term. You often hear Wicca used as a synonym for Pagan, but this is inaccurate. Wicca is a formal religion, and it is a Pagan religion. But there are many Pagan religions, and there are many, MANY Pagans who follow no formal religion, but thier own spiritual path which doesn't fit in with any other. These are the folks who usually refer to themselves simply as "Pagan".

As far as the original meaning of the word goes, I don't feel insulted by it, I find it somewhat amusing. Like the Asatru folks who refer to themselves as 'Heathens'.

Answer 7

Pagans are pagans. Simple as that...

i wouldn't go so far as to say it's derogatory. It's just a descriptive term to me. Some consider Christian to be just as offensive...irregardless: A label means very little.

Answer 8

just because it is used as a derogatory term by Christians doesn't mean it is a derogatory term. Christians have a very impressive ability of turning common words into something unsavory and disdainful to suit their own purposes.
it's a matter of perspective. in most places, Michigan is Michigan - but to a Buckeye fan, it takes on a very negative connontation. it's all perspective.
proud pagan
blessed be

Answer 9

One could say "Classical Polytheism" or "Hellenist" ... polytheist religions in general are inclusive rather than exclusive, so there is less rationale to identify strongly with a "religious label" ... If Hestia did not give satisfactory answer to your prayers, perhaps Athena would! There was no problem with that... so any name you like is fine :)

Answer 10

Paganism is older than christianity.

Answer 11

because its calledpagan to worship the old gods instead of jehova/allah. just like christians are christian, and muslims are muslim, and jews are jewish, pagans are pagan. Get over yourself. All non christians are not pagans.