What is a Pagan?

Question

can u descibe /explain it

Answer 1

I was told years ago- it means "People against goodness and normalicy"
But after taking a Humanities course - It means people who worship many gods- mainly earthly ones.

Answer 2

There is general agreement that the word "Pagan" comes from the Latin word "paganus." Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the precise meaning of the word in the fifth century CE and before. There are three main interpretations. None has won general acceptance:

Most modern Pagan sources interpret the word to have meant "rustic," "hick," or "country bumpkin" -- a pejorative term. The implication was that Christians used the term to ridicule country folk who tenaciously held on to what the Christians considered old-fashioned, outmoded Pagan beliefs. Those in the country were much slower in adopting the new religion of Christianity than were the city folks. They still followed the Greek state religion, Roman state religion, Mithraism, various mystery religions, etc., long after those in urban areas had converted.
Some believe that in the early Roman Empire, "paganus" came to mean "civilian" as opposed to "military." Christians often called themselves "miles Christi" (Soldiers of Christ). The non-Christians became "pagani" -- non-soldiers or civilians. No denigration would be implied.
C. Mohrmann suggests that the general meaning was any "outsider," -- a neutral term -- and that the other meanings, "civilian" and "hick," were merely specialized uses of the term.

By the third century CE, its meaning evolved to include all non-Christians. Eventually, it became an evil term that implied the possibility of Satan worship. The latter two meanings are still in widespread use today.

There is no generally accepted, single, current definition for the word "Pagan." The word is among the terms that the newsgroup alt.usage.english, calls "skunk words." They have varied meanings to different people. The field of religion is rife with such words. consider: Christian, cult, hell, heaven, occult, Paganism, pluralism, salvation, Witch, Witchcraft, Unitarian Universalist, Voodoo, etc. Each has so many meanings that they often cause misunderstandings wherever they are used. Unfortunately, most people do not know this, and naturally assume that the meaning that they have been taught is universally accepted. A reader must often look at the context in which the word is used in order to guess at the intent of the writer.

We recognize that many Wiccans, Neopagans, and others regularly use the terms "Pagan" and "Paganism" to describe themselves. Everyone should be free to continue whatever definitions that they wish. However, the possibility of major confusion exists -- particularly if one is talking to a general audience. When addressing non-Wiccans or non-Neopagans, it is important that the term:

Be carefully defined in advance, or that
Its meaning is clearly understandable from the text's context.

Otherwise, the speaker or writer will be referring to one group of people, while the listeners or readers will assume that other groups are being referred to.


Hope that helps.

Blessed Be

Answer 3

A Pagan or NeoPagan is someone who self-identifies as a Pagan, and whose spiritual or religious practice or belief fits into one or more of the following categories:

Honoring, revering, or worshipping a Deity or Deities found in pre-Christian, classical, aboriginal, or tribal mythology; and/or
Practicing religion or spirituality based upon shamanism, shamanic, or magickal practices; and/or
Creating new religion based on past Pagan religions and/or futuristic views of society, community, and/or ecology; and/or
Focusing religious or spiritual attention primarily on the Divine Feminine.

Answer 4

The term pagan is a word with many correct meanings, but it is usually used to describe the Earth Based religions and the worship of the ancient Gods of old. Wicca is my religion and it is just one of many Neo Pagan religions.

Answer 5

Pagan-Probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Answer 6

PAGANISM, n. Heathenism; the worship of false gods, or the system of religious opinions and worship maintained by pagans.
Men instructed from their infancy in the principles and duties of christianity, never sink to the degradation of paganism.

Answer 7

People
Against
Goodness
And
Normalcy

Answer 8

a pagan is someone who worships something or things other than a mono-theistic power.

Answer 9

Technically, anyone who worships nature as the Supreme Being is a Pagan.

Those who worship gods and goddesses NOT the Lord are technically heathens.

Hope this helped.

Answer 10

A Pagan is someone who is not Christian but worships some other God besides the One true God.