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'''Paganism''' (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early [[Christianity|Christians]] for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism or ethnic religions other than [[Judaism]]. In the time of the Roman empire, individuals fell into the pagan class either because they were increasingly rural and provincial relative to the Christian population, or because they were not ''milites Christi'' (soldiers of Christ). | '''Paganism''' (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early [[Christianity|Christians]] for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism or ethnic religions other than [[Judaism]]. In the time of the Roman empire, individuals fell into the pagan class either because they were increasingly rural and provincial relative to the Christian population, or because they were not ''milites Christi'' (soldiers of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]). | ||
Alternative terms in Christian texts were hellene, gentile, and heathen. Ritual sacrifice was an integral part of ancient Graeco-Roman religion and was regarded as an indication of whether a person was pagan or Christian. Paganism has broadly connoted the "religion of the peasantry." | Alternative terms in Christian texts were hellene, gentile, and heathen. Ritual sacrifice was an integral part of ancient Graeco-Roman religion and was regarded as an indication of whether a person was pagan or Christian. Paganism has broadly connoted the "religion of the peasantry." | ||
==Definition== | |||
Defining paganism is complex and problematic. Understanding the context of its associated terminology is important. Early Christians referred to the diverse array of cults around them as a single group for reasons of convenience and rhetoric. While paganism generally implies polytheism, the primary distinction between classical pagans and [[Christianity|Christians]] was not one of monotheism versus polytheism, as not all pagans were strictly polytheist. Throughout history, many of them believed in a supreme deity. However, most such pagans believed in a class of subordinate gods/daimons—see henotheism—or divine emanations. To Christians, the most important distinction was whether or not someone worshipped the one true God. Those who did not (polytheist, monotheist, or atheist) were outsiders to the Church and thus considered pagan. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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Contemporary knowledge of old pagan religions and beliefs comes from several sources, including anthropological field research records, the evidence of archaeological artifacts, and the historical accounts of ancient writers regarding cultures known to Classical antiquity. Most modern pagan religions existing today express a worldview that is pantheistic, panentheistic, polytheistic or animistic, but some are monotheistic. | Contemporary knowledge of old pagan religions and beliefs comes from several sources, including anthropological field research records, the evidence of archaeological artifacts, and the historical accounts of ancient writers regarding cultures known to Classical antiquity. Most modern pagan religions existing today express a worldview that is pantheistic, panentheistic, polytheistic or animistic, but some are monotheistic. | ||
==Neo-Paganism== | |||
The overarching contemporary pagan revival movement which focuses on nature-revering/living, pre-Christian religions and/or other nature-based spiritual paths, and frequently incorporating contemporary liberal values. This definition may include groups such as [[Wicca]], Neo-Druidism, Heathenry, and Slavic Native Faith. Influences include: Spiritualism, and the many Afro-Diasporic faiths like [[Voodoo|Haitian Vodou]], Santería and Espiritu religion. | |||
[[Category: Religions]] | [[Category: Religions]] | ||