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[[File:Ireland Samhain.jpg|450px|thumb|Neopagans in Ireland celebrating Samhain]] | |||
'''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]]). | '''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]]). | ||
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==Definition== | ==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/ | 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/[[demon|daimons]] or divine emanations. To Christians, the most important distinction was whether or not someone worshipped the one true [[Yahweh|God]]. Those who did not (polytheist, monotheist, or [[atheism|atheist]]) were outsiders to the Church and thus considered pagan. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||