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