Religious Glossary - common terms used related to Religion
Pagan - A generic term for a number of pre-Christian
faiths – druids, witches. Pagan faith is linked to locality
and to the Earth. (druid
network)
This word originally comes from Latin. 'Pagus' means a canton
or district, or in other words a parcel of land, usually out
in the country. A 'paganus' was one who lived on this parcel
of land, usually working it as a farm or performing other
rural tasks. 'Paganus' came to mean country folk. As Christianity
came to various parts of Europe, the people in the towns and
cities were converted, but those in the country were not.
So country folk were non-Christian. Of or pertaining to one
of the polytheistic faiths indiginous to Europe. Literally
means "country dweller". Unfortunately nowadays, due to extensive
media disinformation, the word is being used as a synonym
for Wicca. (winterscapes)
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