heathenize
Convert to paganism
To heathenize is to make heathen—to convert someone away from an established religion (especially Christianity) toward paganism or irreligion, or to cause a society to abandon its religious character.
The word appears mainly in missionary and theological contexts, often with alarm: Critics warned that secular education would heathenize the youth.
Rare and old-fashioned.
Non-monotheistic religious practice
- polytheismBelief in multiple deities
- idolatryVeneration of false gods
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
- shamanismMediation between worlds
nature worship · pantheism · fertility rites · solstice · rituals · altar · sacrifice · divination
Convert to polytheistic worship
- unchurchExpel from religious body
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- reversionReturn to former state
- backslidingReverting to former sins
deconversion · proselytize · indoctrinate · convert · evangelize · missionize · reconvert · lapse
Belief opposing official doctrine
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- irreligionAbsence of faith
infidelity · godlessness · impiety · sacrilege · iconoclasm · freethinking · dissent · nonconformity
paganism
Non-monotheistic religious practice
- polytheismBelief in multiple deities
- idolatryVeneration of false gods
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
shamanism · nature worship · pantheism · fertility rites · solstice · rituals · altar · sacrifice · divination · mythology
paganize
Convert to polytheistic worship
- unchurchExpel from religious body
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- reversionReturn to former state
backsliding · deconversion · proselytize · indoctrinate · convert · evangelize · missionize · reconvert · lapse · defection
heresy
Belief opposing official doctrine
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
irreligion · infidelity · godlessness · impiety · sacrilege · iconoclasm · freethinking · dissent · nonconformity · skepticism
heathenizeChristianize
Convert to the faith
evangelize · convert · proselytize · baptize · missionize