Wikipedia / List of religious slurs
Wikipedia / List of religious slurs
<noinclude> </noinclude> The following is a list of religious slurs or religious insults in the English language that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about adherents or non-believers of a given religion or irreligion, or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical or disrespectful), pejorative (disapproving or contemptuous), or insulting manner.
Christians
Non-denominational
Protestants
Catholics
Oriental Orthodox
Assyrian Church of the East
Latter Day Saint movement
Jews
Muslims
Hindus
Buddhists
Sikhs
Zoroastrians
Yazidis
Scientologists
African religions
General non-believers
Giaour : Word for a person who is not Muslim, but especially for a Christian. Adapted from the Turkish . In the Ottoman Empire, it was usually applied to Orthodox Christians.
Heathen: A person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do.
Infidel: A term used generally for non-believers.
Kafir: A derogatory term used by Muslims for a person who is a non believer. Not to be confused with the South-African slur Kaffir.
Murtad: A word meaning people who left Islam, mainly critics of Islam.
Mushrik: A person who doesn't believe in Tawhid (Islamic monotheism) and practices polytheism, worships idols, saints, ancestors or graves.
Pagan: A person who believes in a non-Abrahamic religion. Synonymous with heathen.
Savage: A member of a people the speaker regards as primitive and uncivilised. The term has also been applied to non-adherents of Christianity.
Shiksa (female), shegetz (male): (Yiddish) A non-Jewish girl (generally still single) or boy, or one who is of Jewish descent but does not practise Orthodox Judaism. Primarily used to refer to non-Jews. See also "goy".
Religious practitioners in general
Cult, cultist: Used as an ad hominem attack against groups with differing doctrines or practices.
See also
Notes
References
Richard A. Spears, Slang and Euphemism, (2001)
John A. Simpson, Oxford Dictionary Of Modern Slang
John A. Simpson, Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series