What does heathenism mean?
Heathenism is a historical term for a religious system or body of practices regarded as non-Christian, especially the worship of gods other than the God of Christianity. In older writing, it can also denote conduct considered barbarous, savage, or irreligious. Because Christian writers long employed it polemically for peoples and customs they regarded as alien, the word carries strong historical and sometimes derogatory associations. Modern speakers usually choose paganism or polytheism when discussing a particular non-Christian tradition; heathenism more often appears in historical, theological, or deliberately archaic discussion. It can also be used more broadly, though less neutrally, to characterize conduct as uncivilized or unprincipled. The word was formed from heathen and the suffix -ism, denoting a system or practice. It is normally uncountable in this sense, and the plural heathenisms is possible but rarely needed.
nounBelief in or worship of deities other than the God of Christianity; paganism. In older figurative use, it can also mean conduct regarded as barbaric, uncivilized, or irreligious.
- The belief in or worship of deities other than the God of Christianity; paganism.
- The character, beliefs, or practices regarded as barbarous, uncivilized, or irreligious.
"Missionaries described the ceremonies as heathenism, while the communities regarded them as an ancestral tradition."
"Missionaries described the ceremonies as heathenism, while the communities regarded them as an ancestral tradition."
"The critic's rhetoric slid from disagreement with the doctrine into accusations of heathenism."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon, since the word is normally used as a mass noun for a religion or body of practices.
"The scholar compared several forms of heathenism across the ancient Mediterranean."
“Heathenism” is a word written largely from the Christian side of history: it names what Christians set against their own faith.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does heathenism come from?
Heathenism was formed in English from heathen and the suffix -ism, which is used to create nouns denoting a practice, doctrine, or system. The base heathen appears in Old English and has cognates in other Germanic languages, although its deeper prehistory is uncertain. In medieval Christian usage, the derived noun acquired the sense of non-Christian or pagan religion and was later extended polemically to barbarous or irreligious conduct.
How heathenism is actually used
Chiefly literary, historical, and theological, with strong polemical connotations in older Christian contexts. Its figurative use for barbarous or irreligious conduct is now dated. In modern neutral discussion, paganism is generally preferred.
Easily confused with heathenism
Heathenism names a system of religious belief or practice, whereas a heathen is a person or people regarded as non-Christian.
Heathendom refers collectively to heathens or their society and customs, while heathenism primarily denotes their religion or body of beliefs.