Time to get rid of the word 'Pagan'

[icymist]

The word ‘Pagan’ comes from the Latin word ‘paganus’, generally meaning a hick or a country-bumpkin. It was originally used by Christians as a derogatory term for those still clinging to the Greco/Roman cultish faiths once The Empire adopted the cultish faith of a country-bumpkin from Galilee. The term evolved throughout history, usually referring to whomever a sword-wielding, torch-carrying Christian didn’t like, but today the term means…

Uh, I really have no idea.

The Merrian-Webster Dictionary defines ‘Pagan’ as 1: heathen; especially: a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome). 2: one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person.

Well, that was as helpful as a stimulus package. It seems what we have here is one of those nebulous umbrella terms that really doesn’t mean anything and really has no use when you think about it. And thinking about it makes it even more nebulous.

Is a Pagan anyone not of the Abrahamic faiths busily trying to destroy one another? Does that make Buddhists, Hindus and followers of the Kardashian sister’s Tweets Pagans? If Paganism is just polytheism does it include African tribal religions, Shintoism and Roman Catholics? Is a Pagan just a portly lass saying ‘Merry Meet!’ while driving her heathens to soccer games in an SUV? Are Pagans, as defined by Jerry Falwell, those who were mystically responsible for 9/11?
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[shadowknows69]

1. Valid points. I really just use it because it's the most convenient def for the straights lol.

If they ask further questions after that I can attempt to enlighten them.

[winyanstaz]

2. I understand Pagan is a label that belongs to ANYONE not orthodox Catholic.

Or so I was told by a Catholic priest.
It means (like heathen which means from the heathers)..from the country and was used by the "New" religion as a slam against the old religion.
I rather like the word myself as I am a bit of a rebel at heart.