heathenism

[ hee-thuh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. a belief or practice of heathens; idolatry.
2. barbaric morals or behavior; barbarism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heathenism¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; heathen + -ism

Example Sentences

How does the concept of heathenism play into Christian nationalism?

From Salon

“Holding her torch to proclaim that mankind receives true light, not from Christ and Christianity, but from heathenism and its gods.”

From Washington Post

“In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.”

From Washington Times

This is heathenism, pagan tribalism, pure and simple.

From Washington Post

Mr. Strand, especially takes Arthur’s endless fibbing to the nth degree, and his pudgy figure adds an extra dimension of tragicomedy to Arthur’s downward spiral into hedonistic heathenism.

From Washington Times