{"id":83223,"date":"2012-05-24T00:36:40","date_gmt":"2012-05-23T22:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moldovacrestina.md\/who-are-pagans"},"modified":"2017-05-27T08:38:43","modified_gmt":"2017-05-27T06:38:43","slug":"who-are-pagans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moldovacrestina.md\/en\/who-are-pagans\/","title":{"rendered":"Who are “the pagans”?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Question:<\/p>\n

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What does the word \u201cpagan\u201d mean? Who are they and why are they called what they are?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

From Merriam-Webser\u2019s online dictionary <\/a>we find the following definition of the word pagan (heathen).<\/p>\n

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1:<\/strong> heathen<\/a> 1; especially<\/em> :<\/strong> a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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2:<\/strong> one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods :<\/strong> an irreligious or hedonistic person<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Middle English, from Late Latin paganus,<\/em> from Latin, civilian, country dweller, from pagus<\/em> country district; akin to Latin pangere<\/em> to fix \u2014 more at pact<\/a><\/p>\n

First Known Use: 14th century<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Greek word that is translated as \u201cpagan\u201d or \u201cheathen\u201d or \u201cnations\u201d in the English language is ETHNIKOS. It means nation or people group. It is where we get our word \u201cethnic\u201d. The Jews called them \u201cGentiles\u201d, the people who did not have God\u2019s special revelation, they did not associate with them, and they worshiped idols. In the epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul reminds the recipients, who are now Christians, about their former way of life, when they were pagans.<\/p>\n

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Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called \u201cthe uncircumcision\u201d by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands\u2013 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:11-12)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

No matter what your national background or ethnic group you come from, a pagan is a man or woman who:<\/p>\n