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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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Infidel: A term used generally for non-believers.

  4. 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.

  5. Murtad: A word meaning people who left Islam, mainly critics of Islam.

  6. Mushrik: A person who doesn't believe in Tawhid (Islamic monotheism) and practices polytheism, worships idols, saints, ancestors or graves.

  7. Pagan: A person who believes in a non-Abrahamic religion. Synonymous with heathen.

  8. Savage: A member of a people the speaker regards as primitive and uncivilised. The term has also been applied to non-adherents of Christianity.

  9. 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

  1. 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