Are pagans people who believe in burning churches?

Question

That is what they were called back then my priest told me. I don't know if it's true anymore. Alot of pagans seem like nice people and I don't understnad why they would want to burn churches.

Answer 1

Who me? *tries to look innocent*


I haven't sacked a monastery in ages! Honest, I swear.

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. 16 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. 17

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.

HOPE THIS HELPS

Answer 3

Pagan is a funny word, mostly because many people use it differently, and often incorrectly.

A 'pagan' is:
Someone who lives out in the country.

The etymology of this meaning is connected to 'heathen,' which can mean the same thing, or a person who believes in more than one god.

Pagan can also be a person who practices a loose religion that allows a hedonistic, non-ascetic lifestyle. It can also mean a person with those types of values.

So, pagans may have, indeed, burned Christian churches, but I'm pretty sure that the Christians burned their share of pagan churches, to say nothing of pagans.

Answer 4

No. Pagans (the religion) wouldn't do that. There is also a motorcycle club called "the Pagans," they're a lot like the Hell's Angels and have nothing to do with the Neopagan movement. Beyond that, I know nothing about Pagans (the Bikers).

I would, however, like to correct something that Emily H said -- "An it harm none" is not the Law of Paganism, it is the Law of Wicca, which is but one tradition of Neopaganism. Not all Pagans are Wiccan, but we still tend to be live-and-let-live types, even though we don't all follow the "Wiccan Rede" (an it Harm None. . . )

Answer 5

The law of Paganism is "If it harms none, do what you will (want)." So a true Pagan would never burn a church. It's mean and cruel and does absolutely nothing good for the world. The Priest is just repeating what's he's been told.

Or maybe what he learned from "The Exorcist." I'm not sure. Well, kudos to you for actually asking the people themselves instead of the ones who hate them. You're a smart free-thinking person.

Answer 6

No. Most Pagans are live-and-let-live types when it comes to other religions -- a Pagan who would burn a church would generally be shunned by their fellow Pagans.

EDITED TO ADD: vergodusk is quite incorrect -- most Pagans are devout worshippers of their own Gods.

Here's some information on Neo-Paganism for you:

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

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8058_1.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/neopaganism/index.htm

EDITED TO ADD 2: Kerilyn Knows is also quite incorrect. Most Pagans do NOT hate Christians; it's usually the other way around. In general, Pagans believe that Christians are entitled to their beliefs, and ask only to be left alone.

Answer 7

Nowadays, there's about as many pagans who support burning churches as is for example, christians who agree with keeping slaves and stoning women.
There will always be the insane fundamnetal minority, but you get that in every religion.
There was a case in Norway in the nineties. They're all dead or in prison nowadays.

Answer 8

We have absolutely no interest in burning churches whatsoever. Paganism accepts all positive spiritual paths as valid. We don't proselytize and we don't try to convert anyone.
We see no need in doing that..what's right for you is what's right. We simply ask for peaceful co-existence.

Answer 9

I know a few pagan girls that are so hot, they could burn a church by just entering it.

Dunno if they believe in that, btw.

Answer 10

Absolutely not. Being pagan does not make them any more likely to commit acts of violence or destruction. That myth is simply a "recruitment ad" that Christianity has created.

Answer 11

Pagans would not burn a church.