heathen
/'hi:ðən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A person who does not acknowledge the God of Christianity, Judaism, or Islam; a pagan: This is the primary religious meaning, referring to someone who follows a polytheistic or non-Abrahamic religion.
- (Often considered offensive) An uncivilized or uncultured person: In a derogatory or historical sense, it can describe someone perceived as barbaric or irreligious.
Adjective:
- Relating to or characteristic of heathens; pagan: Describes beliefs, practices, or objects associated with polytheistic or non-Abrahamic faiths.
- (Often considered offensive) Uncivilized; irreligious: Used pejoratively to describe something considered uncultured or lacking in religion.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The missionaries aimed to convert the heathen.
- Ancient Romans were considered heathens by early Christians.
Adjective:
- They discovered heathen idols in the temple.
- (Offensive) He dismissed their ancient customs as heathen rituals.
Advanced Usage
"The heathen": Used collectively to refer to heathen people as a group.
- The gospel was preached to the heathen.
Historical/Literary Use: The term is common in historical and religious texts to denote non-believers from the perspective of Abrahamic faiths. Modern usage often requires context due to its potentially pejorative connotations.
Variants and Related Words
- Heathenish (adj): Resembling or characteristic of heathens.
- They abandoned their heathenish ways.
- Heathenism (n): The state, quality, or practices of heathens; paganism.
- The spread of Christianity reduced heathenism in the region.
Synonyms
- Pagan (n/adj): A person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions; polytheistic. (This is a close synonym but can be less pejorative in modern academic use).
- Infidel (n): A person who does not believe in religion or who adheres to a religion other than one's own. (Often used in Islamic and Christian contexts).
- Non-believer (n): A more neutral term for a person who does not believe in a particular religion.
Notes on Usage
- Sensitivity: The term heathen often carries a negative, judgmental, or colonial connotation. It is frequently considered offensive when used to describe people or their beliefs from a position of religious or cultural superiority. In contemporary academic or interfaith discourse, more neutral terms like non-theist, polytheist, or adherent of indigenous religions are often preferred.
- Context is Key: Its acceptability depends heavily on context. It may be used neutrally in historical or theological discussion but is generally avoided in modern, respectful dialogue about world religions.
Adjective
- not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
Noun
- a person who does not acknowledge your god