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 TermLocation of originTargeted demographicMeaning, origin and notesReferencesBible beater, Bible basher North AmericaEvangelicals of Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal denominations A dysphemism for evangelical Christians who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, particularly those from Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal denominations. It is also a slang term for an evangelising Christian. Commonly used universally against Christians who are perceived to go out of their way to energetically preach their faith to others.Bible thumperUnited StatesChristian people, specifically fundamentalistsSomeone perceived as aggressively imposing their Christian beliefs upon others. The term derives from preachers thumping their hands down on the Bible, or thumping the Bible itself, to emphasize a point during a sermon. The term's target domain is broad and can often extend to anyone engaged in a public show of religion, fundamentalist or not. The term is frequently used in English-speaking countries.Cafeteria ChristianUnited StatesChristians perceived to "pick and choose" which Christian doctrines they believe and those they do notUsed by some Christians, and others, to accuse other Christian individuals or denominations of selecting which Christian doctrines they will follow, and which they will not.- Chuhra PunjabChristiansDerived from the Chuhra caste, a Dalit community whose traditional occupation was sweeping and cleaning. Most Christians in Punjab, along with many in Uttar Pradesh, are from the Chuhra and Chamar communities. The term has been used in an abusive manner to refer to Dalits in the Indian subcontinent and in Pakistan specifically, it has been applied to Christians of Dalit ancestry. In India, the terms "Chuhra" and "Chamar" are used abusively as well towards those of Dalit ancestry, though without reference to any specific religious community.Fundie United StatesChristian fundamentalistsShortening of fundamentalist. Usually used to mean a Christian fundamentalist.God bothererAustraliaChristian peopleSimilar to Bible basher, a person who is very vocal about their religion and prayer.IsaiPakistanChristian peopleFrom Isa Masih, a name of Jesus Christ in the Hindi-language Bible. The term literally means '[person/people] of Jesus' in India and Pakistan, but in the latter country, Isai has been pejoratively used by non-Christians to refer to 'street sweepers' or 'labourers', occupations that have been held by Christian workers of Dalit ancestry.Pakistan NGO tackles demeaning low-caste word for 'Christians', World Watch Monitor In neighboring India, the term Isai simply refers to Christians and has no negative connotations; in northern India, Christians use the term Isai to refer to themselves.Rice Christian, Rice bagUnited Kingdom, IndiaMaterially benefiting Christians In India: Christians (especially lower caste converts)Someone who has formally declared themself a Christian for material benefits rather than for religious reasons. In India, the term has been extended to refer to any Christian convert.The Term “rice bag” is a Derogatory way to Curb Dissent, SheThePeople TV
Protestants TermLocation of originTargeted demographicMeaning, origin and notesReferencesCampbelliteUnited StatesFollowers of Church of ChristFollowers of the Church of Christ, from American Restoration Movement leaders Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell, the latter being one of two key people considered the founders of the movement.The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary describes the term as "sometimes offensive". Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. Entry on "Cambellite."Holy Roller United StatesMethodists of the Holiness Movement, Holiness Pentecostals Named after church services involving spontaneous acts of worship, such as sobbing, wailing, groaning, and kneeling.HunUnited Kingdom, IrelandChristian Protestants, especially Glasgow Rangers supportersUsed by Irish republicans against Protestant unionists, especially by Glasgow Celtic supporters against those of Glasgow RangersJaffaUnited KingdomChristian ProtestantsNamed after a common orange-flavoured cake/biscuit in Ireland and UK.Kocia wiaraPolandNon-Roman Catholic ChristiansLiterally “feline faith” or “cat faith”. Most often used against Jehovah's Witnesses but also against Baptists, Mariavites and members of Polish National Catholic Church.Anna Pajdzińska, 1995. Motywacja Semantyczna Przymiotników Wartościujących. Etnolingwistyka, vol. 7, p. 18.Jadwiga Wronicz [red.], 2009. Mały słownik gwar polskich, p. 106.Renata Grzegorczykowa, Zofia Zaron [red.], 1993. Studia semantyczne, p. 59.Wydawnictwo, 1921. Od Wydawnictwa - „Kocia Wiara” w Krakowie. Lud Katolicki : tygodnik poświęcony sprawom ludu katolickiego : naczelny organ Polskiego Stronnictwa Kat. Ludowego, nr 34, p. 14.Anonim, 1924. PALEC BOŻY, CZY PRZYPADEK?. Lud Katolicki : organ Polskiego Stronnictwa Katolicko-Ludowego, nr 18, p. 6-7.Józef Serafin, 1928. Gdzie źródło złego?. Lud Katolicki : organ Polskiego Stronnictwa Katolicko-Ludowego, nr 18, p. 9.Wilhelm Perłowicz, 1929. Co pisze lud - Głos ze wsi. Lud Katolicki : tygodnik ilustrowany : organ Polskiego Stronnictwa Katolicko-Ludowego, nr 15, p. 5.Ludwik Stomma, 2002. Antropologia kultury wsi polskiej XIX wieku oraz wybrane eseje, p. 50.Sławomir Gala, 1987. Słownik nazwisk i przezwisk ludności ziemi piotrkowskiej, p. 128.Prod, ProddyUnited Kingdom, IrelandChristian ProtestantsParticularly used by bullies to disparage a child who attends a Protestant school. and are used in children's school rhymes in Cork.Share, Bernard (2005), p. 253.OrangieIrelandUlster ProtestantsReferring to the Orange OrderRusselliteUnited StatesJehovah's WitnessesJehovah's Witnesses, from American religious leader Charles Taze Russell.ShakerUnited StatesChristian peopleMember of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. Originated as "Shaking Quakers", in reference to their similarity to Quakers as well as their charismatic worship practices, which involved dancing, shouting, and speaking in tongues. The term was originally derogatory, but very early on was embraced and used by the Shakers themselves.Shouting MethodistsUnited States, United KingdomMethodists Member of a Methodist denomination, in reference to their free expression and enthusiasm during worship, particularly during revival services and camp meetings.Soup-takerIrelandChristian who has sold out their beliefsPerson who has sold out their beliefs, referring to the Great Famine of Ireland when some Catholics converted to a Protestant faith in order to gain access to a free meal.Hughes, "Ireland" p. 78Wee-FreeScotlandFree Church of Scotland Following the disruption of 1843, Free Kirkers were sometimes taunted with the epithet of "Wee Frees" because they were smaller ("wee") than the original Church of Scotland.
Catholics TermLocation of originTargeted demographicMeaning, origin and notesReferencesCzarna mafiaPolandCatholic priestsLiterally “Black mafia”. The term suggests that Catholic Church has too much influence and works like a criminal organization.Left-footerUnited KingdomCatholicsAn informal phrase for a Roman Catholic, particularly in the armed forces. Derived from a belief that Irish laborers kick their shovels into the ground with their left foot.FenianUnited KingdomIrish CatholicsA term originally referencing the Fenian Brotherhood and the Irish Republican Brotherhood, organizations which supported a united Ireland. Today the term is used as a sectarian slur by Protestants, especially in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Australia.KatolPolandCatholicsCommonly known insult; shortened form of "Katolik".Katotalib, KatotalibanPolandCatholics"Catho-talibans", ultracatholics.Mackerel snapperNorth AmericaCatholicsThe term originated in the U.S. in the 1850s and refers to the custom of Friday abstinence. The Friday abstinence from meat (red meat and poultry) distinguishes Catholics from other Christians, especially in North America.The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English p. 1250 (2005 Taylor & Francis)MickUnited KingdomIrish CatholicsUsually an Irish Catholic (a reference to the common "Mc" patronymic of Irish surnames, or a hypocorism of "Michael").Red letter tribeNorth AmericaCatholicsA name given to Catholics for their keeping so many holy days; marked in their almanacs with red-coloured letters.Bead-rattler Anglophone countries; predominantly the United States, U.K., Canada, and AustraliaCatholicsRoman Catholic person, in reference to the Catholic ritual of praying with rosary beads.RedneckIrelandCatholicsRoman Catholic person, now considered archaic due to its association with the better-known American term.ShavelingUnknownCatholicsUsually disparaging: a tonsured clergyman, priest.TaigNorthern IrelandIrish CatholicsFrom , perhaps Irish for "Timothy".Simpson, "teague"
Oriental Orthodox TermLocation of originTargeted demographicMeaning, origin and notesReferencesJacobiteSyriac OrthodoxThe term is named after Jacob Baradeus who liberated the Oriental Orthodox from persecution in the mid-6th century. This title is rejected by the Syriac Orthodox as it assumes that the Church had been started by Jacob.
Assyrian Church of the East TermLocation of originTargeted demographicMeaning, origin and notesReferencesNestorianAssyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the EastThe term associated with the Assyrian Church of the East, or used to refer to its members, originates from a historical misinterpretation of the Antiochene Dyophysite Christology of Theodore of Mopsuestia. According to Sebastian Brock, a fellow of the British Academy: "The association between the Church of the East and Nestorius is of a very tenuous nature, and to continue to call that Church 'Nestorian' is, from a historical point of view, totally misleading and incorrect – quite apart from being highly offensive [...]". David Wilmshurst states that for centuries "the word 'Nestorian' was used both as a term of abuse by those who disapproved of the traditional East Syrian theology, as a term of pride by many of its defenders [...] and as a neutral and convenient descriptive term by others. Nowadays it is generally felt that the term carries a stigma". In 1994, the Common Christological Declaration between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East marked the resolution of a dispute between those two Churches that had existed since the Council of Ephesus. They expressed their common understanding of doctrine concerning the divinity and humanity of Christ, and recognized the legitimacy and rightness of their respective descriptions of Mary as, on the Assyrian side, "the Mother of Christ our God and Saviour", and, on the Catholic side, as "the Mother of God" and also as "the Mother of Christ".
Latter Day Saint movement