It is a fascinating word.

Heathen is a disparaging word traditionally used religious people against non-religious people.

Flip the script.

Calling people without religion the “Nones” is a childish simplification of people without religious faith.

I am not a None. And I a One. And I have faith.

It is a rejection of traditional religious dogma.

It is faith in humanity.

It is a hope to have the most fulfilling life possible.

It is to see the world as a source of wonder and inspiration.

It is to realize the our mother earth is a precious container.

You aren't born a Heathen. You may be born to a Heathen. But it’s up to the individual to decide.

Religion is almost exclusively passed on from parents to children. Religious messaging is mostly about how to live. This is easily digested by children, both the teachings and the reliance on religion as a moral compass. Of course, being a good person doesn't have to involve religion.

To understand the meaning of Heathen requires a mature mind. What that means is that an individual needs to consider belief and faith and make a decision to opt out of the religious experience. It doesn’t make sense for a child to be a Heathen.

There is an interesting corollary here.

It takes age for one to understand Heathen.

It takes age for one to realize the falsity of societal myths, such as Santa Claus.