Talk:Heathen (disambiguation)

Non-believer in anything supernatural?
"A modern Heathen is a non-believer in anything supernatural"

I disagree with this statement. As commonly used, heathen is usually a self-proclaimed title used by people who reject the Judeo-Christian god. I cannot find a definition that describes it as a non-believer in the supernatural or an example of heathen used with this meaning.

From Merriam-Webster: 1 : an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible 2 : an uncivilized or irreligious person

From Princeton Wordnet: 1 : a person who does not acknowledge your god

In particular conflict with the current definition of heathen (as one with non-belief in the supernatural) is the fact that the term is used by people who follow pre-Christian religious practices: From religioustolerance.org: Originally, it was a Christian term to denigrate followers of the old, pre-Christian Religion. Followers of Asatru and other ancient reconstructed aboriginal religions have embraced the term.

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Imperfectgenius (talk • contribs) 04:35, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

Fashionable Christianity?

 * "...adhering to their older beliefs, rather than the more fashionable, newer Christianity."

The more fashionable Christianity? What is this supposed to mean? Karonaway (talk) 16:41, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

Pagan?
This article used to say 'non Christian' rather than 'pagan'. Not all heathens are pagans -- many are non religious.

Historically heathen has been used to mean 'non Christian' or 'non believer' and it is currently used as such.

Why was this article changed to a meaning that is not accurate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Imperfectgenius (talk • contribs) 02:20, 10 February 2009 (UTC)