Isn't it derogatory to use the word "pagan" when describing certain religions?

Answer 1

It can be. Depends on the connotation and the person saying it. Certainly when some Christians describe other religions, the word "pagan" is derogatory. But for pagans themselves, it's not derogatory at all. It's what they call themselves.

Answer 2

Pagan is a bad word. It can be quite offensive to pagans. Pagan is a word the christians used to rudely refer to the worshippers of older religions that are not originating in Judaism. Calling someone pagan can be see as offense as calling a black person a ni**er. It represents the horrid abuse and oppression of the religion under the hands of Christianity which sought to destroy other religions in the ancient times. Only pagans can politically correctly use this word just like the n word is for black people only. Take this from an actual worshipper who takes offense to it I know for a fact people consider it offensive.

A Norse Worshipper

Answer 3

Depends what you're talking about!

If a person calls themselves Pagan, it isn't so much of a problem. If you look up what it means, one meaning is country-dweller. The more modern meaning is a person who follows "Earth-Based Religions" or the "Old Religions".

People whom call themselves Pagan use the second version of it.

One more note: Pagan is more of an umbrella term like Christianity. There's many types of Paganism.


- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 4

Yes, it always is. The fact you are lumping every one with a different belief that you view as being the wrong belief is what makes it derogatory. In my view just using the term implies that every one knows you are right and those pagans are all going to hell. I always thought it was an egocentric passive aggressive way to insult those they do not agree with.

Answer 5

No, it's descriptive. The term Pagan is from Latin paganus, an adjective originally meaning "rural", "rustic" or "of the country." As a noun, paganus was used to mean "country dweller, villager." and suggested someone more old-fashioned and less urbane.

From the officialdom of Christianity in Rome and onward this also suggested someone who clung to the old-fashioned religion(s)...the old pantheon, the mystery cults, folk magic, etc.

Answer 6

Yes, but only people of another faith would use "Pagan"
in a derogatory manner, like christian for example.

Answer 7

Pagan is a religion with many differents sects within it. Like Christianity is a religion with many different sects in it. Like Judaism and Islam and Buddhism are religions with many different sects in them.

Do you also consider it deragatory not to say Catholic, Methodist, Hasidic, Reform, Ismaili, Shia, Mayahanna, etc. instead of say Chiristian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, etc.

Answer 8

Only if you think that "Pagan" is a bad word. Anyone who thinks pagan is a bad word, just doesn't understand what it is, and what it means. *sm*

Answer 9

It was originally meant to be an insult, but I think of the title of Pagan as a badge of honor.

Answer 10

according to the Bible, any religion which worships anything that is not the "one true God", is a pagan religion.

If you feel some religion is paganistic, ask yourself

"Who is their god? is it the God of the Bible, or is it a god -like entity?" do the people worship idols? " If they worship graven images or idols, then they are pagans, However,

You shouldnt describe any religion though. If the people are pagans, they wont embrace you for pointing it out to them. Just pray to God that their eyes be opened to Him, the Living God, He can do more than you when it comes to opening eyes.

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