paganism

[ pey-guh-niz-uh m ]

/ ˈpeɪ gəˌnɪz əm /

pagan spirit or attitude in religious or moral questions.

the beliefs or practices of pagans.

the state of being a pagan.

RELATED WORDS

1400–50; late Middle English pāgānysme < Late Latin pāgānismus, equivalent to Latin pāgān(us) pagan + -ismus -ism

Related formspa·gan·ist, adjective, nounpa·gan·is·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Yes, as a figure, “Santa Claus” has his roots in early Christian Europe, Dutch folklore, and Germanic paganism.
Yes, Megyn Kelly, Santa Can Be Black (and Jesus, Too)|Jamelle Bouie|December 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There are so many branches of Paganism and there are also different ways to practice these faiths.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Carlton Gebbia Really Practices Witchcraft|Erin Cunningham|October 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The moral superiority of Christianity to paganism was speedily obvious.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8|Various
But, repeating them to herself, she felt how very far off she was from Paganism.
In the Wilderness|Robert Hichens

Hence, the reduction of all that paganism was deemed impracticable.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|Various
Let it be particularly noted that Christianity did not distinguish between the various shades of paganism.
Folklore as an Historical Science|George Laurence Gomme
This is rather a relief after overdoses of Wordsworth's pantheism and Keats's paganism.
Res Judicat|Augustine Birrell

Word Origin and History for paganism

early 15c., from Church Latin paganismus, from paganus (see pagan).