As an atheist I find it highly offensive. Please stop.
2006-09-11 08:50:12 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your question/statement offends me... I am a Christian and I have never referred to any Atheist as a "Pagan".
That would be an insult to Pagans...
:)
T.
2006-09-11 08:59:13 · answer #1 · answered by Theophania 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I've not witnessed this, but you're correct in that the terminology is wrong. It may stem from the idea that pagan is the usual translation of the Muslim term mushrik, which means "one who worships something other than Allah." More correctly, however, pagan means "a country dweller" (from the Latin paganus). When Christianity first began, it spread primarilly in the larger cities. As the church was mostly urban, country dwellers who did not live near the larger cities simply continued to practice the old religions and traditions. Thus, pagan came to mean anyone who was not Christian. As with many things the chruch did in it's early days, it was a method of instilling the populace with fear as to more easily control them.
In modern times, the meaning has shifted once more, becoming a generic term for any practitioner of a number of shamanistic beliefs, including Wicca and Neo-druidism. Even this usage is incorrect, however. The proper term is neopagan.
The word heathen (from an Old English word meaning "not Christian or Jewish") is often synonymous with pagan.
Follow the link below for far more information than I care to summarize.
2006-09-11 09:07:19 · answer #2 · answered by whtknt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Really? A lot of the one's that reply to me (mainly in email) usually call me an Atheist... and I'm a Pagan. Personally, I think it's funny... just shows me that they don't know anything outside of what they have been told by their parents, church, etc... They don't do any research of their own. And, a more modern definition of "Pagan" is anyone who is not a Christian/Jew/Muslim. So Atheism would fall into that category, in that sense.
No offense to you. ^_^
2006-09-11 09:05:49 · answer #3 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist, I am obliged to say that on here, I have NEVER seen a christian refer to an atheist as a pagan. While that certainly does not mean that it has never happened, it certainly means that your statement that they always do that is a load of crap. And besides... even if it WERE true... so what?
2006-09-11 09:01:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm shore most pagans find it offensive also. i believe in god and i have my own faith or should i say my own beliefs and because i do not belong to a religion I'm referred to as a pagan. but thats ok because there are some really good pagans out there.
2006-09-11 19:06:30 · answer #5 · answered by Peace 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are closed-minded people on here always making assumptions about other folks? I've never called someone a pagan who wasn't one. I find it offensive that you lump me into some category with a few other people you've encountered on this site.
2006-09-11 09:03:42 · answer #6 · answered by Heidi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and I used to be like what most Christians say " Pagans" but I will tell you this most Christians say that word becuase that's what we as in all Believers know you < "Pagans"> as. the answer is in the dictionary and Encyclopedia Dude.
2006-09-11 09:15:02 · answer #7 · answered by racoonxoxo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No we don't! We think atheist just doesn't believe in god.
We think Christians are pagans. Because they do believe and yet accept pagan beliefs and bring them into Christianity.
Most of their beliefs came from pagan sources. Has nothing to do with the worship of Christ. That makes them hyprocrites.
As well as pagan worshipers. Note: christmas tree, Jesus birth?
no way was that his birth. Santa Clause? Easter rabbit? colored eggs? Valentines? Halloween?
2006-09-11 08:58:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Since they can't beat us on an intellectual level they resort to name calling by throwing out yet another title with negative connotations. They are big fans of repeating nonsense anyway (a.k.a. praying) so the more they repeat "pagan" the more effect they mistakenly believe they have.
Anyway, xians don't care that you are offended. They are the exact opposite of the fairy tale guy they claim to follow.
2006-09-11 09:05:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an honest mistake. I once thought that anyone who did not believe in the Christian God was "pagan" or "heathen"....I have since learned the difference.
I am sorry you have been offended, but I am sure that, at least in most cases, it is an honest mistake.
Perhaps you ought not to be quite so sensitive? As many an atheist has told me...if you are that thin-skinned, maybe you don't belong on the internet in the first place, especially not in this particular forum.
I hope you are not offended, if I wish God's blessings on you...
2006-09-11 08:59:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Haven't seen that much. But in order to be insulted I would have to first be convinced they knew what a pagan was. Considering how little they know about their own religion, and their deathly aversion to dictionaries and other reference works, I can't get too bent over them calling me names without knowing what they mean.
2006-09-11 08:59:02 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋