The word "pagan"

[Kinnaree]

The adoption of paganus by the Latin Christians as an all-embracing, pejorative term for polytheists represents an unforeseen and singularly long-lasting victory, within a religious group, of a word of Latin slang originally devoid of religious meaning. The evolution occurred only in the Latin west, and in connection with the Latin church. Elsewhere, Hellene or gentile (ethnikos) remained the word for pagan; and paganos continued as a purely secular term, with overtones of the inferior and the commonplace.

— Peter Brown, Late Antiquity, 1999

I've been looking into the etymology of the word PAGAN. It seems as though it was a slang and used by early Christians to differentiate themselves from the "folk people" or "villagers" while those who were Christians were far superior and lived in the city area. The 'pagans' lived in the outskirts of the city. Plus, the word they used to refer to villagers/pagans weren't pagan, as quoted up above.

I've always had an issue with this word because it's a slang word brought up by the Christians, in a way to mark the difference in who is inferior and that would be the non-Christians.

When I look back in my mind's eye into the past, the ancient times, with the knowledge of history, there is truth in the part where non-Christians/"pagans"/villagers had their own folk beliefs that are largely what we Zevism consider the way of the gods.

Having said that, my own folk belief of my mother country (Thailand and Laos) is a religion called Satsana phi, transliterated to "religion of spirits" but that is allegory for religion of the gods as that is the true meaning behind "spirit". We have shamans/witch doctors per village, our own rituals, and patron spirit/god per village, per household, piece of land, etc. We have ritualistic dance of which we go around in circle, it induces trance state. We give offerings of foods and flowers at the alter. We play music and dance during harvest, give thanks to the deity of rain (in farm lands), for example.

And really, this is no different than other village folk beliefs of other regions. The native Americans did the same and lived the same. That's why when I was little (as we are refugees coming to America in the 80s), I had much affinity for the Native Americans. I remember as a child going on a field trip to the native American sites. I felt a certain closeness to it? Best way to explain.

I have a European friend who is pagan from the Baltic regions. What they also do and celebrate in essence is no different than folks in my country or anywhere else under the umbrella of "pagan"/village dwellers.

So, since the word pagan was used as pejorative slang towards those who were not Christians and still believed in the old gods and the old ways, I tend to not refer to "pagans" as pagans.

This post is more of a light bulb moment type of post and also sharing my folk belief in comparison to others.

Any feedback, questions are welcomed of course.

 

[Kinnaree]

Pagan like Nazi are words that even if intended as negative they become good words because used to refer to great people.
Since the word America doesn't come from jewish shill Amerigo Vespucci but by Pagan Amaruca, I wouldn't be surprised if Pagan also has a noble origin. Also Nazi is the name of the Sumerian Goddess of social justice.

That said, you have nice tradition, and soon we'll have them in Europe too.

Thank you

I satanically pray for my Satanic white brothers and sisters that you all will return to your Satanic traditions. It will happen in the future.

 

[Henu the Great]

You may or may not be into this type of music, but -

Heathen Heart
Pagan Pride
faring far
sword by side
Tribal times
Northern nights
hidden high
Runic rites
I was told...
Hold the Heathen hammer high...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqZbQe2Gacw

I think you should listen to the songs and lyrics at least once. You might need to install an advert blocker for youtube, as well.

I did go through most of their songs once, and to be honest that song resonated well with me, but none of the others. I'm not so much into metal music as I used to be... Very energetically uplifting. I think it would suit well with some rituals or workings when paired with energy raising, such as 666 meditation.

 

[FancyMancy]

...

There is more -
https://imgur.com/a/zSq9Z

 

[Kinnaree]

Looking through history, pagan folks are just those who live not in cities but in the outskirts of the city, in villages. I just hate that it was used as a way to taunt pagans for being lower class than Christians and those who live in cities.

Thanks also for the links. Mind opening.