heathenism

American  

[hee-thuh-niz-uhm] / ˈhi ðəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. a belief or practice of heathens; idolatry.

2. barbaric morals or behavior; barbarism.

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Etymology

Origin of heathenism

First recorded in 1595–1605; heathen + -ism

Example Sentences

In some ways, Gin Lum notes, the idea of heathenism is a large part of the origin story of the American concept of race.

From Salon

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

From Washington Times

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

Accordingly, we take the participle ἀποθέμενοι to signify not what the readers are to do, but what they had done in renouncing heathenism.

From Project Gutenberg

In a later century Julian, perhaps following Maximin Daza, whom he copied in trying to organize heathenism into a new catholic church, urged benevolence on his fellow-pagans, if they wished to compete with the Christians.

From Project Gutenberg