What is your definition of Pagan? Do you know what it really means?

Question

I've heard alot of interesting definitions of it. I'm just interested to see what different people think it really means.

Answer 1

I am guessing you are looking for something besides the dictionary definition.

"Paganus" originally meant someone who lives in a "pagus", ie, a rural administrative district. In Christian usage it gradually took on the meaning of non-Christian, since it was assumed that people who lived in such rural areas had not been Christianized. It wasn't particularly a derogatory label until late in the Empire, when it acquired the dual connotation of "hick" and "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. I sometimes use the word "neo-pagan" (neo- means new) to indicate the difference between modern polytheists (like me) and the historical Celts who practiced their indigenous way of life. Actually, the ancient Celts did not have a specific word to describe their religion. If the ancient 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 2

I've always understood the literal meaning to be anyone who is NOT Christian or Jewish. Yes that meant back in the day Muslims and Buddhists etc were also considered Pagan, but in this day and age I think the definition could be modified. Most witches have proudly reclaimed the word Pagan as another term for Witch.

Signed - Proud Pagan Witch!

Answer 3

There are many definitions and I think most Pagans will give you a different definition. To me, it's a collection of earth based spiritual paths that preach kindness, compassion and self responsibility. Again though, you'll get a different answer from every Pagan you ask. :-)

I'm not sure what definition your after so I'll give you some dictionary defintions

-a practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin paganus, a country dweller.
(Pay-gun) - One who follows or practices an earth-based or nature religion.
-heathen: a person who does not acknowledge your god
-a person who follows a polytheistic or pre-Christian religion (not a Christian or Muslim or Jew)

*EDIT*
To the answerer below me, Carl:

1. Don't call me New Age or group me in with others who practice New Age techniques such as astrology or crystals. I've told you in answers to your other questions that I'm an Eclectic Pagan and I'll be fine with being refered to as simply 'Pagan' or 'NeoPagan'

2. You've mentioned several times now (in other questions and answers) all these bloody sacrifices. You fail to name what offshoot of Paganism along with years, specifics and sources. I'd like to read up on whatever/where your getting your info from so if you could link to these stories, I'd be interested in having a more informed opinion. Thanks.

3."none of them however ever preached compassion and gentleness" Many of the Pagan religions place a divinity in all living things. "They follow a behavioral code that requires them to avoid hurting themselves or others." http://www.religioustolerance.org/paga_des.htm
Where do you find that they never preach compassion and gentleness? Are we talking about Pagans in the 1400's or Pagans now? Can you cite sources for your info in the future?

4. Your questions last night showed nothing short of ignorance and intolerance towards Pagans and Paganism. Why the hate?

Answer 4

The followers of the pre Christian religions of Europe (mostly),
to me it means brutality and savagery and lack of education to believe in such things.

Paganism is diverse as there are several pagan religions none of them however ever preached compassion and gentleness, as Miss Bliss and other New Age people think.
They were for the most nature religions and some had very bloody sacrifices of both animals and humans.
The thing preached was more like loyalty to kindred and honor and honesty.

Answer 5

I tend to look at it as earth religion/no particular religion with a reverence for the earth. I know there are a lot more societal connotations these days, but it's such a delightfully lusty, racy, living word that I can't help but picture people in a ritual in the woods at fall.

Answer 6

Pagan actually meant common folk but has been mistranslated to mean those that worship a deity other than the Christian God..

ps .. it does NOT mean being a witch like the Charmed series :P

Answer 7

Can mean a lot of different things depending on your point of view or general knowledge....but here is an (official??) definition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagan

Answer 8

as youve just stated there are a lot of definitions and i think this is because it means many things to many people and the trick is, to see what it means to you

Answer 9

pagan, well... people who have ceremonies and believe in the power of nature and worship nature...and burn incense, and make herbal potions.

Answer 10

It means being quite intelligent!