2007-02-13 04:53:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
See below from dictionary.com . It can mean several things, and not everyone uses it the same way.
pa·gan
–noun 1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks or present-day Wicca and nature-based religions.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective 4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.
2007-02-13 05:01:33 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When one needs to have a clear definition, one should always try the dictionary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
pa·gan /ËpeɪgÉn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-guhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective 4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.
2007-02-13 04:57:59 · answer #2 · answered by Sea of Air 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan, litterally means "country folk"...people who worked the land were considered Pagans. As for the religious ascpect of waht a Pagan is...it is a person who does not live by the Christian aspect of religion. Anyone who honors or worships a God/Gods other than the Christian God.
2007-02-13 05:00:10 · answer #3 · answered by mom tree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan is Latin for country dweller, the kind of people who just so happen to be traditional and refuse to change. Back when Christianity took over Europe the city folk converted much earlier then the "bumpkins"
2007-02-13 05:01:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Originally the word was "Heathen" referring to someone who worshiped something other than the mighty one of Torah YHVH. Pagan came into general use as being less pejorative. Words change with time, as we all know.
2007-02-13 05:01:21 · answer #5 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
pa·gan [páygÉn]
n (plural pa·gans)
1. an offensive term that deliberately insults somebody who does not acknowledge the God of the Bible, Torah, or Koran
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
2007-02-13 04:58:21 · answer #6 · answered by stephanie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Country dweller was the original meaning. It was used by christians as a derogatory term for non christians, but the name stuck, and since then non christians used it to describe themselves.
2007-02-13 04:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The word pagan is Latin and roughly translates to "country person".
2007-02-13 04:56:28 · answer #8 · answered by dorkmobile 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
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)
heathen: not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
hedonist: someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
2007-02-13 05:01:42 · answer #9 · answered by Patti T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Origins in Latin "paganus" or "pagani" which means country dweller.
If that's not what you are looking for please specify and I'll be glad to edit.
2007-02-13 04:56:33 · answer #10 · answered by Kallan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋