The Capitalization Controversy in Pagan Circles

Paganism is a broad term that encompasses various religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. As such, there is no single answer to the question of whether or not to use a capital letter when referring to paganism. **The decision to capitalize the word "paganism" may depend on the context and personal preferences of the writer.** In general, the use of capital letters for religious and spiritual terms is often a matter of convention and respect. **Some individuals and groups may choose to capitalize "Paganism" as a way of recognizing it as a legitimate and important religious movement.** Capitalizing the word can also indicate a specific religious or spiritual tradition, such as Wicca or Druidry, which fall under the umbrella of paganism.

In order to assure greater accuracy in 21st century journalism, we hereby petition the AP and Chicago Stylebooks to capitalize “Pagan” and “Paganism” when speaking of the modern faiths and their adherents in future editions.

, VI, 14 , and on the other hand, as blood sacrifcers of a religion in which to murder a man was to do an act of the greatest devoutness, and to eat his flesh was to secure the highest blessings of health. Moreover, increasing numbers of contemporary Hindus, First Nations activists, European reconstructionists, indigenous peoples, and other polytheists are accepting the term Pagan as a wide umbrella under which they all can gather, distinct from the monotheists and secularists.

** Capitalizing the word can also indicate a specific religious or spiritual tradition, such as Wicca or Druidry, which fall under the umbrella of paganism. On the other hand, **some individuals and organizations prefer to use lowercase "paganism" as a way of emphasizing its status as a diverse and inclusive movement comprising a multitude of beliefs and practices.** They argue that capitalizing the word can imply a certain level of organization or theological uniformity that may not always be accurate.

Capital "P"

Does anyone else get annoyed by the fact that people outside the Neopagan/Pagan communities basically always spell "pagan" with a lower-case p? Same could be said for the h in Heathen.

It does bother me, because the message seems to be that Paganism is a lesser belief system. "I'm a Christian. You're a pagan. I'm a Muslim. You're a heathen."

I wonder if anyone would notice if I typed: "You're a mormon. I'm a Pagan. You're presbyterian. I'm Heathen."

Anyone else agree? Disagree? Don't care?

Antiochian

Rationalist

And granted, the title "pagan" wasn't originally chosen by believers in the earth-centered, polytheistic faiths, but was a nickname given them by Christians. Today of course many in earth-centered religion do claim the title.

Also, I don't think many people even realize what they're doing when they spell these words without capitals, and wouldn't want to intentionally offend anyone if they were aware.

Sylvan

Unrepentant goofer duster

I only think it matters in context with other religions. If I am next to a bunch of Christians, then I want to be Pagan. If I'm writing generally to pagans about the phenomenon of paganism then there is no need. Why replicate other religions' endless obsequious glad-handling of themselves in the privacy of our own homes? That's a game they are making us play. The reason these words should be capitalised anyways at this point is that they are the remenant of proper names. So Christianity and Buddhism get capitols but islam and judaism are out. How do you think that would go down?

Trey of Diamonds

Well-Known Member

I know I'm not pagan but since another UU posted the question I would like to offer my $.02. I think it the word pagan can be capitalised or not depending on the context. If you are saying "the Wiccans and Heathens are pagan" then it would be lower case. But if you are saying "I am a Pagan", then it would be capitalised. The fact that the word is this flexible causes most people to get lazy and just pick one or the other and always use it that way.

Gentoo

The Feisty Penguin

Antiochian

Rationalist

Good insights. Really, it shouldn't be a big deal. I guess knowing what I know about the struggles adherents of earth-based religions have had in being recognized as valid alternatives to the bigger faiths influences my tendency to capitalize "Pagan" and "Witch." Because for many, paganism and witchcraft are more than a phase for kids who are into Gothic culture and tarot cards--they are a way of life and a religion (contrary to a comment from president GWB some years back).

People tend not to take us too seriously. When a friend innocently asks me about "my Wiccan thing" or that "Pagan stuff," I'm like, what do you mean? It's my religion! Are you still involved in that Methodist stuff?

I guess these are just subtle ways for me to educate people who are ignorant.

Trey of Diamonds

Well-Known Member

People tend not to take us too seriously. When a friend innocently asks me about "my Wiccan thing" or that "Pagan stuff," I'm like, what do you mean? It's my religion! Are you still involved in that Methodist stuff?

I guess these are just subtle ways for me to educate people who are ignorant.

Also remember that it may not be a slam on Wicca or Pagan but just an overall disinterest in religion in general. I've used the term too. When I was telling one of my work friends about participating in a winter solstice ritual I made the comment that I was doing my Pagan thing. It's always fun to watch the Christians cringe.

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon

Does anyone else get annoyed by the fact that people outside the Neopagan/Pagan communities basically always spell "pagan" with a lower-case p? Same could be said for the h in Heathen.

It does bother me, because the message seems to be that Paganism is a lesser belief system. "I'm a Christian. You're a pagan. I'm a Muslim. You're a heathen."

I wonder if anyone would notice if I typed: "You're a mormon. I'm a Pagan. You're presbyterian. I'm Heathen."

Anyone else agree? Disagree? Don't care?

As head of the RF grammar police, I believe you're mistaken. Check your dictionary. You'll see that "Christian," "Mormon," "Catholic," "Presbyterian," "Buddhist," "Hindu," "Jew," and "Muslim" are all capitalized, while "heathen," "pagan," "deist," "theist," and "atheist" are not. I don't capitalize them in an effort to portray them as a "lesser belief system" but because I don't see them as proper nouns.

bigbadgirl

Active Member

A proper noun or proper name is a noun representing a unique entity, as distinguished from a common noun, which represents a class of entities (or non-unique instance of that class)—for example, city, planet, person or corporation.

By this definition christianity or christian is not a proper noun, because it represents a class of entities instead of a unique entity. This also holds true to other divided religious entities. Pantheism is also a class of entities.

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon

A proper noun or proper name is a noun representing a unique entity, as distinguished from a common noun, which represents a class of entities (or non-unique instance of that class)—for example, city, planet, person or corporation.

By this definition christianity or christian is not a proper noun, because it represents a class of entities instead of a unique entity. This also holds true to other divided religious entities. Pantheism is also a class of entities.

I think we're getting down to personal interpretations here. Christianity is a unique entity in that it is the name of a world religion. I've never seen any journalist or otherwise educated writer spell "Christianity" or "Christian" with a lower-case "c." I've seen "paganism" or "pagan," both capitalized and not capitalized. And again, in this particular instance, I think we can reasonably assume that a dictionary is a legitimate tool for making such a determination.

At any rate, if people on this forum who identify with "paganism"/"Paganism" would prefer to see it capitalized, I certainly wouldn't mind doing so in the future.

Quintessence

Consults with Trees

I will use and recognize both "pagan" and "Pagan," but they mean two different things.

In proper case, Pagan refers to religious beliefs and/or practices and deserves capitalization as much as any other set of religious beliefs/practices. I am Pagan; more properly a contemporary or Neopagan. This is the correct term to use when addressing me, because it recognizes what I do as legitimate religion.

In lower case, pagan is an all-purpose snarl word or a term designating irreligion or atheism (according to the person using it). Considering most people in our society still don't recognize Paganism, they tend to use paganism instead. We're not a real or legitimate religion to them, so therefore we're in the category of irreligion/atheism/nastiness. I recognize this as a legitimate usage of the word paganism, since words often have multiple definitions, but it can cause some confusion and misunderstanding.

For example, when I see political idiots like Newt Gingrich say things like "we're surrounded by paganism" I know it is extremely unlikely they mean Paganism. Some Neopagan commentators don't quite pick up this point. They don't understand that he doesn't mean Paganism (religion) but he means we're surrounded by irreligion, atheism, and "those other people" who are against the better "us." I mean, if Gingrich is referring to Paganism that's just stupid. We're at most 1-2% of the US population. We're not "surrounding" anybody. *laughs* I'm not particularly offended by his choice of words because of this, but it would be nice if he'd be more precise in his language.

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon

I will use and recognize both "pagan" and "Pagan," but they mean two different things.

In proper case, Pagan refers to religious beliefs and/or practices and deserves capitalization as much as any other set of religious beliefs/practices. I am Pagan; more properly a contemporary or Neopagan. This is the correct term to use when addressing me, because it recognizes what I do as legitimate religion.

In lower case, pagan is an all-purpose snarl word or a term designating irreligion or atheism (according to the person using it). Considering most people in our society still don't recognize Paganism, they tend to use paganism instead. We're not a real or legitimate religion to them, so therefore we're in the category of irreligion/atheism/nastiness. I recognize this as a legitimate usage of the word paganism, since words often have multiple definitions, but it can cause some confusion and misunderstanding.

For example, when I see political idiots like Newt Gingrich say things like "we're surrounded by paganism" I know it is extremely unlikely they mean Paganism. Some Neopagan commentators don't quite pick up this point. They don't understand that he doesn't mean Paganism (religion) but he means we're surrounded by irreligion, atheism, and "those other people" who are against the better "us." I mean, if Gingrich is referring to Paganism that's just stupid. We're at most 1-2% of the US population. We're not "surrounding" anybody. *laughs* I'm not particularly offended by his choice of words because of this, but it would be nice if he'd be more precise in his language.

I only think it matters in context with other religions. If I am next to a bunch of Christians, then I want to be Pagan. If I'm writing generally to pagans about the phenomenon of paganism then there is no need. Why replicate other religions' endless obsequious glad-handling of themselves in the privacy of our own homes? That's a game they are making us play. The reason these words should be capitalised anyways at this point is that they are the remenant of proper names. So Christianity and Buddhism get capitols but islam and judaism are out. How do you think that would go down?

Ultimately, **whether or not to use a capital letter for paganism is a matter of personal choice and should be guided by the context in which it is being used.** If in doubt, it may be best to consult the preferences of the specific individual or group being referred to or to follow the conventions set by reputable sources in the field of religious studies or journalism..

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