You are at : Pagan

 

Also in this topic is:
Paganism	Neo Paganism

Pagan

Paganism

Many current Pagans base their beliefs and practices on a connection to Nature, and a divinity within all living things, but this may not hold true for all forms of Paganism, past or present. Some believe that there are many deities, while others believe that the combined subconscious spirit of all living things forms the universal deity.

"Pagus" was an old Roman word meaning "village" or "countryside" A Paganus was a countryman or villager, the nuance suggesting hick.

Christianity's first success was in the cities. Emperor Constantine's conversion in 312 AD gave the Church unlimited power to tax, outlaw, regulate and otherwise suppress competing religions -- a power strongest in the cities. In the countryside, away from coercion the old religions hung on. In the villages. Among the Pagani.

City Christians used the term to deride the old faiths, calling them Hick religions. "Pagan" comes down to us a pejorative, meaning uncivilized, un-Christian, or heathen.

Nowadays "Pagan" usually describes Mother-Earth venerating religions aimed at setting life in harmony with the rhythms of the seasons.

"Pagan" is also used to describe Ancient religion or civilization in general.