Paganism

Paganism (past usage)- derived from the latin word "paganus" meaning "villager", "country-dweller" or in modern terms "hick". It was used by the roman army to refer to civillians. Later, the Roman Catholic church used the term to refer to anyone who preferred the worship of pre-christian entities over their own. Over time, the term became an insult applied to the followers of Islam by the christians and vice versa, and by the protestants and catholics towards each other. It gradually gained the meaning "follower of false religion". By the beginning of the 20th century, the term also gained the meanings of "athiest, agnostic, hedonist, nihilist, religion-less, etc. (when referring to a white, hetero male, and "ignorant savage, and/or pervert" for all others. The term was also used by various far-right organisations to describe their fascist philosophies.

Paganism (current usage)- A general term for polytheistic, nature based religions, of ancient and novel derivation. It includes the terms paleopagan, mesopagan, and neopagan.