Heathen or Pagan?

Question

Lokasenna or anyone who knows
can I ask the difference please ?

Answer 1

Heathen comes from the word "Heithni" which comes from the Old Norse word heiðni which is a word that was used in elder times to describe the pre-Christian religion of the Northern European peoples. Generally, it is taken to mean dweller of the hearth. It is not an insult at all, even though I'm aware Christians use it as such (showing their lack of knowledge about what the word means). By the way, it’s interesting to note that Heiðni means 'high, pure, clear' in Icelandic. The word Heathen carries with it the implication of reconstruction that may or may not exist within Pagan traditions. So while Pagan might apply to people following Wiccan, Hindu, American Indian religious paths, and many other Non-Christian religions; Heathen specifically points to people involved in either the reconstruction or revival of religions indigenous to northern Europe.

It differs from Wicca and other modern day non-reconstructionist Pagan paths in a number of ways. Perhaps the primary difference is that Heathens are 'hard polytheists': we honor a large number of individual Gods, Goddesses and other spiritual beings whom we see as existing independently from humans. And in common with many indigenous religions world-wide, we also honor our ancestors.

Heathens differ from Wiccans and other modern day non-reconstructionist Pagans in many other ways. We reject the concept that all Goddesses are aspects of 'The Goddess' and that all Gods are aspects of her consort. We also reject the Jungian concept of Gods and Goddesses as just archetypes in the unconscious mind. Heathen festivals do not follow the 'Eight Fold Wheel of the Year' based on solstices and equinoxes. Our rituals do not involve 'casting circles' or 'calling quarters'. Magic is not an essential or central part of Heathenry, and the majority of Heathens do not consider themselves 'witches'. There are no 'degrees of initiation' within Heathen religion and no 'high priests' or 'high priestesses'.

Answer 2

Heathen societies were organized in Iceland, Great Britain, and North America. These groups were founded very consciously as Germanic Heathen groups, not as Wiccan ones. An exception, of course, would be the Anglo-Saxon retro-Heathen group Théod, which began a few years later as a Wiccan or Wiccan-ish group and eventually evolved into what it is today.

Wicca, on the other hand, got going in the late 1940’s at the earliest, although its Ceremonial Magic predecessors began in the early 20th Century. While particularly fond of borrowing from Celtic lore, Wicca isn’t Celtic at all.

Answer 3

It is difficult to be specific about the magico-religious beliefs of the Germanic and Norse people. However, they are considered Pagan, they are all also considered Heathen, as anyone who worships many Gods.

Answer 4

A heathen is one who does not know today is a very holy day, and shows total disrespect for Jesus.

Answer 5

Pagans have a belief...
Heathens don't have a belief...

Answer 6

http://www.wikipedia.org