Paganism, in general, refers to a broad range of beliefs and practices that are rooted in nature worship, polytheism, and a reverence for ancestral traditions. The term "paganism" itself is derived from the Latin word "paganus," meaning "rustic" or "of the countryside." While there is no one universally accepted definition or set of beliefs that encompass all forms of paganism, it is generally characterized by a belief in and worship of multiple deities or spirits, a connection to nature, and a focus on personal spiritual evolution. As for the capitalization of the word "paganism," it is not typically capitalized unless it is used as the first word in a sentence or in a title. Like many other religious or spiritual terms, such as "Christianity" or "Buddhism," "paganism" is considered a common noun, and as such, it is not usually capitalized in everyday usage. However, it is important to note that individual pagans or pagan groups may choose to capitalize the word as a matter of personal or religious preference.
The solution to this problem is that often (as with the whole walking on water thing) there is one rule for Jesus and another for the rest of us. Or there used to be, at least.
To some extent it is a matter of personal preference assuming you re not using a specific style guide , but it would be unusual to capitalize adjectives or other modifiers. In the past, some style guides suggested that classical Greek and Roman and Biblical names that end in s only require an apostrophe to indicate possession, while other proper nouns that end in s e.
However, it is important to note that individual pagans or pagan groups may choose to capitalize the word as a matter of personal or religious preference. As with all religious terms, it is respectful to use the capitalization choice preferred by the individuals or groups being referred to. In conclusion, the term "paganism" is generally written without a capital letter unless it is used as the first word in a sentence or in a title.
capitalization: deities
Capitalize names, synonyms and personifications of deities and other supernatural beings:
- God
- Allah
- Jehovah
- Gitchi Manitou
- the Creator
- the Almighty
- Christ
- the Messiah
- Mother Nature
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- the Devil
Do not capitalize such words used as common nouns:
- The adoring public regarded the film star as a god.
- The child was an angel.
- Greg was a little devil when he was young.
Nonetheless, it is important to respect the capitalization preferences of individual pagans or pagan groups when referring to them..
Reviews for "Decoding the Capitalization of Paganism"
1. John - 2/5
I found "Is paganism written with a capital letter" to be quite disappointing. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights into the subject matter. It felt more like a rambling collection of random thoughts rather than a coherent exploration of paganism. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and well-written analysis of paganism.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I was extremely dissatisfied with "Is paganism written with a capital letter." The author's arguments were weak and unsupported, often relying on personal opinions rather than factual evidence. The book also seemed to have a biased perspective, disregarding alternative viewpoints and presenting a one-sided portrayal of paganism. Furthermore, the writing was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. I would not recommend wasting your time on this poorly researched and poorly written book.
3. Michael - 2/5
"Is paganism written with a capital letter" was not what I was expecting. The book lacked structure, making it difficult to navigate through the various topics and arguments presented. The author also seemed to jump from one idea to another without proper transitions, leaving me confused and unsatisfied. Although there were a few interesting points here and there, they were overshadowed by the overall incoherence of the book. I would not recommend reading this if you're looking for a comprehensive and well-structured examination of paganism.
4. Emily - 3/5
While "Is paganism written with a capital letter" had some interesting concepts, I was left feeling underwhelmed. The author seemed to focus more on personal anecdotes and opinions rather than providing a balanced analysis of paganism. Additionally, the writing style was overly complex and academic, making it difficult for readers without a background in the subject to fully grasp the concepts discussed. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about paganism.