Definitions and Examples of heathen, pagan
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
A person who does not belong to a widely held religion, especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
Example
The missionaries tried to convert the heathens to Christianity.
Example
The heathen rituals were considered barbaric by the colonizers.
A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
Example
The ancient Greeks and Romans were known for their pagan beliefs and practices.
Example
The festival had a pagan origin but was later adopted by the Christians.
Key Differences: heathen vs pagan
- 1Heathen is a term that historically referred to people who did not follow Abrahamic religions such as Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
- 2Pagan is a broader term that refers to people who hold religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
- 3Both words have been used in a derogatory manner in the past, but are now more commonly used in a neutral or descriptive sense.
Effective Usage of heathen, pagan
- 1Cultural Studies: Use these antonyms to discuss the diversity of religious beliefs and practices across cultures and societies.
- 2History: Incorporate these antonyms in historical narratives to describe the religious beliefs and practices of different groups of people.
- 3Religious Studies: Utilize these antonyms to compare and contrast different religious traditions and their followers.
Remember this!
The antonyms heathen and pagan refer to people who do not follow the dominant religion or belief system in a particular culture or society. Heathen historically referred to people who did not follow Abrahamic religions, while pagan is a broader term that includes all non-mainstream religions. These words can be used in cultural studies, history, and religious studies to describe the diversity of religious beliefs and practices across different groups of people.
