Concept in Definition ABC

The word pagan is a term that has a special presence at the request of the religion, since formerly and in that way, Christians, called those believers of other religions, different from their own, and especially to refer to those who believed in polytheistic proposals.

Denomination that Christians attributed to those who believed in other gods

The origin of the term dates back to 4th century, approximately, in the Roman empire, where it was used precisely to refer to who in those times worshiped several gods at the same time, and then as a consequence they did not believe in a single God like the Judaism or christianity.

Likewise, the pagans of these times did not accept religious texts and used to deploy rituals around figures and of images.

Roots in the peasantry

It should be noted that at the historical time indicated, paganism was firmly rooted in the realm rural and therefore it was the sector that most strongly opposed Christian evangelization.

The peasants of these times were very attached to their rites, traditions and cults that came from many centuries ago and that were linked to gods of nature, livestock and

farming, to whom they just attributed the benefits achieved in these fields, and of course entrusted to them to be successful in these aspects.

The fact of living from these activities made them occupy a key place and that they had to be protected and watched over by divine creatures and with special powers.

Christianity proposed, for example, a huge evangelization that aimed to convert the pagans.

In the present It is possible that we find in the Christian religion with some rituals that come from the paganism of the first times, even more, many of the traditional rites of the Christianity are linked at some point to pagan practice and this undoubtedly has to do with the close connection of both issues, paganism and Christianity, in the past.

As the intention was to convert the greatest number of pagans to Christianity, what was done was to include many of the rituals that they practiced in the religion.

For example, Christmas, is a festival that would have a pagan origin, since the Pope Julius I, with the mission that the Romans converted to Christianity, allowed them to continue celebrating some festivities, such as that of Saturn, in the week of the solstice, and which entered its climax on December 25, to then also establish that day the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Unbaptized person

Another use that was also given to the term in the past was to designate the individual who was not baptized.

What is not religious

And on the other hand, the word is also used to account for that which is presented away from religion, that is, that is not religious.

Pagan festivals: carnival

For their part, pagan festivals consist of celebrations that are not behind any interference from monotheistic religions.

They involve rituals and ceremonies that had nothing to do with those imposed by the Catholic Church, or the Judaic and Islamic cults.

In pagan celebrations, the music, played a crucial role, and many of these festivals remain in force to this day, in as much, lost in the way of time their superstitious attributes and sacrifices, and have been integrated into folklore popular.

Among the most emblematic, the Carnival stands out.

It originated in the Greek and Roman cultures, while in Rome it was called Saturnalia, and its mission was to honor and worship Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture.

The men spent the party drunk, offered a sacrifice to the god, and then participated in a great banquet.

The celebration coincided with the current date of Christmas, although, over time, the Catholic Church imposed its change for a few more months late, so that it does not get mixed up with the celebration of Christmas that is so important to Christians because it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Depending on where in the world you are, the carnival presents variants in its celebration today.

In Brazil, which is one of the most popular squares of this celebration, the music of the samba and the parade of colorful floats through the city of Rio de Janeiro stand out.

Meanwhile, in Venice the use of period masks and clothing dating back to the seventeenth century is common.

Pagan Themes