MAIN PAGES
|
|---|
Paganism
Paganism has been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or ceremony, which is not Christian. Jews and Muslims also use the term to refer to anyone outside their religion. Others define it as religions outside of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, while some simply define it as being without a religion.
In the strictest sense, paganism refers to the authentic religions of ancient Greece and Rome as well as surrounding areas. It originated from the Neolithic (Stone Age) era. The term, pagan, is derived from the Latin word, paganus, which means a country dweller. The pagan usually has a belief in many gods (polytheistic), but only one is chosen as the one to worship, which represents the chief god and supreme godhead.
As Christianity progressed into the present age, a pagan became referred to anyone not being a Christian, and paganism denoted a non-Christian belief or religion. If the religion did not fit into the Judeo-Christian-Islamic or Eastern mould, then one practicing that religion was said to be involved in paganism.
SEE ALSO: | World Religions | Abrahamic Religion | Judaism | Christianity | Islam | Hinduism | Buddhism | Helenic Judaism | Gnosticism | Cabalism | Knights Templars| | Freemasons | The Illuminati |
GO TO:
Salauddine Mohammed Faruque on July 25,2007, last updated on 12.08.2009
