What's the difference between pagan and heathen? Which do you prefer to be called?

Answer 1

Pagan sounds nice. Heathen sounds not so nice.
(I disagree that they are the same thing.)


Pagan: one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.

Heathen: One who adheres to the religion of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Such persons considered as a group; the unconverted.
One who is regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened.
Such persons considered as a group.

P.S. My mother used to call me a little heathen when I was around 6 years old and would misbehave. She was always mad when she said it, so I don't think it's a nice name!

Answer 2

Personally, I don't view myself as either but many others do and that doesn't bother me a bit. I much prefer the term Pagan to Heathen as Heathen, to me, carries a Norse (Asatru) connotation. Here's a great link with more info for you.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/paganism.htm

Blessed Be

Answer 3

I prefer to be called a pagan, a heathen is some what offensive.

Answer 4

It depends largely who is saying it.
The word Pagan is defined here
http://www.sacredhearth.com/Whatispagan.html

A Heathen is someone who adheres specifically to a non-Christian religion based on Northern to Northwestern European or Norse traditions. Examples are Odinism and Asatru.

While I give Odin, Freya and their clan due respect, I am not called by them, so Heathen would be inappropriate for me. You may call me a Pagan, if you wish, though that's not entirely accurate either. Silly language.

Answer 5

With only those two choices, I'd pick "Pagan" because Asatuar use the label "Heathen" and I don't use that name out of respect for them. I really prefer "Celtic Recon" or "CR" because it is more descriptive of my path. My second choice would be "Neo-pagan" if I need a vague term.

Answer 6

Pagan is a useful term in religious studies and many describe themselves as "pagan." Heathen seems to be a term for derogation.

Answer 7

I respond to both, but I was always taught "heathen" was a negative word, and I just don't appreciate the negativity. I get enough of that with the people who freak out over the word "Witch"

Answer 8

Both roughly mean country dweller.

Heathen = a person who lives on the heath.

Both have had negative connotations.

I prefer pagan as it has gained more of a mainstream usage in the past few years (25 or so since I became one).

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Answer 9

Today, "Pagan" refers to a number of neo-Pagan religions. Heathen, on the other hand, often refers to a specific branch of neo-Paganism--Asatru. Asatru effectively is reconstructed Norse paganism. However, "heathen" can also refer to anyone who does not follow the teachings of Christ.

I prefer to be called "Pagan." It fits me better from the standpoint of accuracy. =)

Answer 10

I'm neither so it isn't a concern. As far as the meanings I think one is a heathen who turns it into a religion and the other is a heathen in the ranks if you will.