Paganism, as a concept, is an ever-changing target. Originally, the term came from the Latin “paganus,” meaning a rustic country-dweller, and was used as a pejorative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Christianity swept across the land, people who lived out in the deep country often stuck to their old religions and folk practices. At this point, “paganus” took on a religious connotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, there are pagans and Pagans, Most often used simply to refer to anyone who doesn’t follow Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, the word can mean something different to everyone who uses it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One definition of paganism is a religion native to a place. Under this definition, Buddhists, Hindus, and practitioners of indigenous American religions would be pagan — as much as they might disagree with the appellation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A broader, somewhat more useful definition is a religious, cultural, or spiritual community that centers around earth-based worship. When most people refer to capital-p Paganism today, they’re referring to someone whose religion is focused on nature, the seasons, and other natural phenomena. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Pagan may or may not be polytheistic, and a few are even secular, preferring a kind of philosophical veneration that isn’t focused on a deity or deities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n