heathenry
Definition
- Noun:
- The state or condition of being a heathen: "heathenry" refers to the religious or cultural practices, beliefs, or identity of those who are not adherents of the world's major religions (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam), often used historically or pejoratively.
- Paganism or polytheistic religion: In contemporary usage, "heathenry" can specifically denote modern Germanic or Norse neopaganism, a revival of pre-Christian beliefs and traditions.
Usage Examples
- State of being a heathen:
- The missionary viewed the local customs as heathenry and sought to convert the people. (The missionary considered their practices to be non-Christian and uncivilized.)
- Modern pagan religion:
- Many followers of heathenry celebrate Yule and honor the Norse gods. (Adherents of this neopagan tradition observe winter solstice festivals and worship deities like Odin and Thor.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be steeped in heathenry": to be deeply immersed in non-Christian or pagan practices.
- The ancient tribe was steeped in heathenry, with rituals for every season. (Their culture was thoroughly rooted in pre-Christian religious customs.)
Variants and Related Words
Heathen (n/adj): a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity) or relating to such a person.
- The heathen tribes worshipped nature spirits. (The non-Christian groups honored natural forces as divine.)
Heathendom (n): the lands or people collectively that are heathen; the state of being heathen.
- The explorer ventured into heathendom, far from any church. (He traveled into regions where Christianity was not practiced.)
Synonyms
- Paganism: a religion other than one of the main world religions, especially a polytheistic one.
- Idolatry: the worship of idols or images, often associated with non-monotheistic religions.
- Unbelief: the absence of religious faith, especially in a specific established religion.
Related Idioms
- Go back to heathenry: to revert to primitive or uncivilized behavior.
- After the collapse of the empire, the region went back to heathenry. (The area returned to pre-Christian customs and disorder.)