Heathens

We just received an excellent book called "Galdrbok: Practical Heathen Runecraft, Shamanism and Magic" by Johnson & Wallis. It looks fantastic for anyone deeply into Northern Magic traditions (Asatru, Norse Paganism, Heathen Trads). There was a previous book by the title of Galdrbok, but it was no where near this detailed. It explores runes, Norse cosmology, trance work, the Galdr ritual, magical practice, and more. It is excellent for all levels, though is not a "light" read. There are lots of ancient translated poems, details on ritual design and initiation, as well as extensive historical accounts. A must have if this is your path.

While perusing this book, I was asked what a Heathen was. My reply was a non-Judeo-Christian. But I know it is actually more than that. Because the definition of Pagan can also be that. So off to www.dictionary.com I went.

HEATHEN: an unconverted individual of a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; pagan.

HEATHEN: an irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized person.

HEATHEN: heathenish, barbarous. Heathen, pagan are both applied to peoples who are not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. Heathen is often distinctively applied to unenlightened or barbaric idolaters, esp. to primitive or ancient tribes: heathen rites, idols. Pagan, though applied to any of the peoples not worshiping according to the three religions mentioned above, is most frequently used in speaking of the ancient Greeks and Romans: a pagan poem; a pagan civilization. Philistine; savage.

HEATHEN: not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam, a person who does not acknowledge your God

Hmmm... I am not sure that was much help at clarifying the definition. It certainly does not capture the meaning behind the word for those who self-identify as heathens.

Perhaps someone who does could comment with their definition?

What is a HEATHEN? What does it mean to be one?