Who is a Pagan?

The Pagan Federation defines paganism as " A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion." The nature worshipping part is debatable since different ancient religions did not necessarily hold the same views on nature. While divine presence in nature is a common theme among ancient religions, some saw their deities as patron of things pertaining specifically to humans like agriculture, emotions, and social order. Not that these are entirely absent in other animals, but the focus was clearly on humans seeing how their gods were depicted in art and myth.

Also, people practicing ancient pre-Christian religions were not all polytheist. Monolatrism is the recognition of many gods, but choosing to work with one exclusively. Examples include Greek mystery cults, followers of Baal, and Atenism.

I have heard several long time members of this site say that Paganism is only European religions that existed prior to Christianity. They say that other ploytheistic religions like Kemeticism and Caananite revivalism aren't paganism because they arent from Western Europe. I don't see why this distinction is necessary, especially since Europe and Asia are connected anyway. I think they should refer to it as European paganism if that's what they mean as it is more specific.

The term was originally a term coined by early Christians as a perjorative for polytheists. It derives from the Latin word paganus meaning villager or country dweller, implying they are unsophisticated. Had Christendom expanded into other areas at the time, the term could have been applied to other religions.

What do you think makes someone and their path pagan?

Pagan Federation:

http://www.paganfederation.org/what-is-paganism/

Patheos on Paganism:

http://www.patheos.com/Library/Pagan

This Christian site describes paganism:

http://www.gotquestions.org/pagan-paganism.html

I define it as anyone who is in/a part of any religion, reconstruction, or revival ofany Pre-Christian, European religion/faith/culture.