Why do people correct our use of the word "pagan" on ourselves?

Question

I understand the dictionary version of the word. I understand "outsiders" understanding of the word. But you DO realize that if we call OURSELVES that that we might have a defintion of the word for OURSELVES? So why do people tell us that its not the "correct" version of the word?

Yeah it was used as a derogitory term, but Christian was orginally an insult from the Roman's. The word has evolved and so is the word Pagan.

Answer 1

It is sort of like "Yankee". Originally an insult, it is now a moniker we (Americans) have proudly adopted.

I think that people who quibble over a definition when you both understand the common usage are the same as those who nit-pick spelling or grammar. They want to disagree just for the sake of disagreeing, but lack the ability to effectively counter the argument.

Answer 2

Well, the word Pagan was not really so much of a derogatory term originally, and really did not have a religious context until the 4th century. Originally the word "paganus" was someting of a slang term for the people who lived in rural areas around Rome. It gained a religious context in the 4th century, because Christianity did not spread among people in the countysides and rural areas as fast as it did in the cities, thus the people who kept their traditional beliefs became refered to by the term. Somwhere in the 17th centruy is when it became used in English, partly due to archeologists and theologins. It is at times used interchangably as heathen, but the word heathen was really used more widely as the derogatory term durring the middle ages, through the renaissance, and into the industrial ages.

Personally I am fine with the modern definition of the word, a collection of primarily Earth-based religions and beliefs that are not Abrahamic, Dharmic, or Taotic in nature or basis, primarily indo-european and mesopotamian in origin. Most but not all are polytheistic. Thats really the correct usage of the modern term, and though some people will disagree with me on it, most religious scholars accept that as the modern definition.

Answer 3

The problem is that others have assigned a meaning to a word that did not belong to them. Like the term "Heathen", Pagan has been the victim of a smear campaign aimed at making the beliefs of those who call themselves Heathen or Pagan seem bad and ungodly. The promoters of the smear campaign (who shall remain nameless, as they need no introduction and tend to get offended when people call them out) needed to stamp out the competition, and they attempted to do so by demonizing them. Todays followers have no clue as to the beliefs of Pagan, Heathen, Jews, Atheists, and others that have been demonized by thier religious leaders, they just know that anything other than what they were taught is bad.

Yes, your definition of the word should be the ONLY definition of the word, just as Native Americans should NEVER be refered to as "Indians." Unfortunately, the people that got it wrong are the people who's views are commonly accepted as right, and most people are too passive to learn and use the term as it was meant or identify people as they identify themselves.

Answer 4

It's a control issue. Anyone who feels the constant need to correct people about things like this are simply control freaks. If you notice I never capitalize christian unless it's at the first of a sentence. It's a subtle attempt to get people to notice that I don't care if they don't think it's proper or not. lol

Now if someone is correcting information that is wrong I have no problem. They need to either say it's their opinion or state how it's wrong and where the"real" information can be found. That is unless it is secret by oath. Then well, I know they can't.

Answer 5

We just don't need to take the time to listen to negative rhetoric, we are what we are. The negative thoughts of others has no value, bad negative actions is a different story. A lot of us have had to hide our beliefs to keep radical people from following the Christian Bible pronouncement that, "suffer not a witch to live."

What is a Pagan? We are people who only ask to be allowed to worship and interact with other Pagans in peace. We aren't fighting Christian, but we refuse to be defined without them even speaking with us. Define us by our work and actions and not by a 2000 year old book.

Answer 6

Personally, I've never understood why the term was considered derogatory. Now, "witch" also has some extremely negative connotations, and I've referred to myself in both terms in the past, but while I've had people correct my use of the word "pagan", no one has ever corrected me on "witch" (except to tell me I was crazy, power-tripping, whatever.) An interesting puzzle.

Answer 7

Christians created the word. It's not a good word, really. Perhaps you could think of a new word, instead of redefining an insult from the past. That would require an original thought, of course.

Answer 8

I ve never had anyone telling me that i was incorrect. Although i do think that being "pagan" is a bit more then acting crazy or radical, or be against Christianity or whatver tradition you were born into. So at times, people don't understand that, being "pagan", or believe in many manifestations of the One, is a part of the human geneolgy, and can't simply be denied or crushed. Like Nature. I think overall the reason is probably fear for primitive, primeaval in us, as well as not wantingto ask questions about themselves. thanks.

Answer 9

Because this word, like so many others, has multiple definitions, it leaves it open to interpretation. Then, some folk will choose to use a particular interpretation in a derogatory manner. If so, this is a clear sign of intolerance.

Answer 10

I was rather amused when there were several claims that I could not be a pagan and an atheist at the same time.

It shows how limited some people are in their thinking.