Paganism is a term used to describe a diverse set of spiritual and religious beliefs that are typically nature-based. It encompasses a wide range of traditions and practices, including Wicca, Druidism, and reconstructed ancient religions such as Norse and Greek paganism. When it comes to capitalization, the general rule is to capitalize proper nouns, which are the specific names of people, places, or things. However, capitalization in the context of paganism can be a bit tricky. In most cases, the term "paganism" itself is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence or is used as part of a proper noun, such as "Paganism Today" or "the Paganism movement." When used in a general sense, such as "I follow paganism," it is typically written in lowercase.
The current journalistic convention of printing lower case for these terms seems to have originated with the Associated Press Stylebook, first published in 1953. However, a new era of religious pluralism has emerged over the past sixty years. The terms “Pagan” and “Paganism” are now being capitalized in a variety of publications, texts, documents, and references, including religious diversity education resources such as On Common Ground: World Religions in America, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University, and Inmate Religious Beliefs and Practices, Technical Reference Manual, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice.
The terms Pagan and Paganism are now being capitalized in a variety of publications, texts, documents, and references, including religious diversity education resources such as On Common Ground World Religions in America , The Pluralism Project, Harvard University, and Inmate Religious Beliefs and Practices, Technical Reference Manual , Federal Bureau of Prisons, U. , 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.
" When used in a general sense, such as "I follow paganism," it is typically written in lowercase. On the other hand, specific pagan traditions or paths are often capitalized, as they are proper nouns. For example, "Wicca," "Druidry," and "Asatru" all refer to specific pagan paths and are therefore capitalized.
THE USE AND CAPITALIZATION OF THE WORD " PAGANISM "
Although it was originally written to be an appendix to a book on Roman religion, I decided to post this 2018 paper here instead. It defends the use of the word "Paganism" to apply to Roman religion, and argues that the word should be capitalized when so used.
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In the ancient sources, Druids are presented both as philosophers and sages who “likewise discuss and impart to the youth many things respecting the stars and their motion, respecting the extent of the world and of our earth, respecting the nature of things, respecting the power and the majesty of the immortal gods.” (Caesar, De bel. Gal., 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.” (Plinius Secundus, Nat. Hist., XXX, 4). Throughout its history, the Druid myth has undergone many transformations; the information on the alleged blood sacrifices passed by the ancients authors with time became forgotten, and the image of a Druid as a philosopher and expert on nature and its secrets stepped to the foreground. The aim of “The Golden Sickle",is to present the history of Druidism, from the ancient Roman and Greek testimonies on the Druids, to the revival of the Druidic myth in English literature and 19th-century British paramasonic Druidic orders, to the core issue of the book – presenting a panorama of modern Druidic movements, and, therefore, answering the question of “who modern Druids are and what do they believe”.
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Because you capitalize the names of places, you capitalize the words that come from them. Capitalize the names of nationalities or ethnic groups, languages, and their adjectives.
In summary, the term "paganism" itself is generally not capitalized unless it begins a sentence or is part of a proper noun. However, specific pagan traditions or paths are often capitalized as they are considered proper nouns. It's important to note that these capitalization rules may vary depending on the style guide or personal preference, so it's always a good idea to double-check if unsure..
Reviews for "Capitalizing "Paganism": A Question of Respect"
- John - 1 Star
I found "Is paganism capitalized" to be a complete waste of time. The author failed to provide any meaningful insights or helpful information on the subject. The writing was sloppy and the arguments were weak and unconvincing. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in the topic.
- Sarah - 2 Stars
As someone who is genuinely interested in paganism, I had high hopes for "Is paganism capitalized." However, I was quickly let down by the lack of depth and substance in this book. The author skims over important aspects and fails to provide any real analysis or in-depth exploration of the topic. It felt more like a rushed blog post than a well-researched book. I would recommend seeking out other resources if you are looking to learn more about paganism.
- Robert - 1 Star
I picked up "Is paganism capitalized" expecting a comprehensive guide to understanding the capitalization of pagan-related terms. Unfortunately, this book only scratches the surface and fails to provide any real answers or insights. The information that is presented is scattered and disorganized, making it difficult to follow and understand. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with my purchase.
- Emily - 2 Stars
"Is paganism capitalized" was a disappointment. While the book touches on the topic of capitalization in paganism, it lacks a coherent structure and fails to provide clear answers. The writing style is also dull and dry, making it difficult to engage with the content. I would recommend looking for other resources that offer a more comprehensive and well-researched examination of this topic.