Ask any person what the word Pagan means and you’ll get a different answer every time, with most of them insisting that their meaning is the correct one. However, even amongst all of the different traditions and religions that span the globe, there is no true consensus as to the exact meaning of the word 'Pagan'.

In fact, there are roughly 8 different meanings to the word ‘Pagan’:

1. According to the online edition of the Miriam-Webster Dictionary, the use of the noun ‘Pagan’ dates back to the 14th Century, with its etymology being: Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, civilian, country dweller, from pagus country district.

The rest of this dictionary’s definition is
1 : heathen; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2 : one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
3 : neo-pagan

2. It is also widely accepted that Pagans include Wiccans, Druids and other Neo-Pagans. In this sense the term ‘Pagan’ is used in reference to a wide variety of spiritual beliefs. These Neo-Pagan religions are usually based upon ancient religions and involve spiritual practices in honor of deities, seasonal holidays and symbols.

Examples of this definition are:

• Wiccans whose practices are based off of early Celtic practitioners.
• Druids whose religion is founded upon the traditions of the ancient Celts.
• Practitioners of Asatru who follow the ancient, pre-Christian Norse religions.
• Other major Neo-Pagan religions include Kemetism (ancient Egyptian religion), Hellenismos (ancient Greek religion), and Religio Romana (ancient Roman religion), to name a few.

Under this second definition, ‘Pagan’ is used in reference to a group of religious traditions and customs.

3. The third most common definition of 'Pagan' is that Pagans are people who should be feared or hated. In fact, throughout history, many mainstream religious and social conservatives have used the term ‘Pagan’ as a reference towards any culture or religion that is different from their own personal beliefs.

A sickening example of this third definition is when the late Jerry Falwell appeared as a guest on Pat Robertson’s "700 Club" television program on 13 September 2001, just days after the horrific 9/11 event, stating the following:

"I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.' "

Keep posted for the next installment...