List of religious slurs
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:54:33 PM Wikipedia source
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.
Tables
· Christians › Non-denominational
Bible beater, Bible basher
Bible beater, Bible basher
Term
Bible beater, Bible basher
Location of origin
North America
Targeted demographic
Evangelicals of Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal denominations
Meaning, origin and notes
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 thumper
Bible thumper
Term
Bible thumper
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Christian people, specifically fundamentalists
Meaning, origin and notes
Someone 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
Cafeteria Christian
Cafeteria Christian
Term
Cafeteria Christian
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Christians perceived to "pick and choose" which Christian doctrines they believe and those they do not
Meaning, origin and notes
Used 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
Chuhra
Term
Chuhra
Location of origin
Punjab
Targeted demographic
Christians
Meaning, origin and notes
Derived 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
Fundie
Fundie
Term
Fundie
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Christian fundamentalists
Meaning, origin and notes
Shortening of fundamentalist. Usually used to mean a Christian fundamentalist.
God botherer
God botherer
Term
God botherer
Location of origin
Australia
Targeted demographic
Christian people
Meaning, origin and notes
Similar to Bible basher, a person who is very vocal about their religion and prayer.
Isai
Isai
Term
Isai
Location of origin
Pakistan
Targeted demographic
Christian people
Meaning, origin and notes
From 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. In neighbori
Rice Christian, Rice bag
Rice Christian, Rice bag
Term
Rice Christian, Rice bag
Location of origin
United Kingdom, India
Targeted demographic
Materially benefiting Christians
In India: Christians (especially lower caste converts)
Meaning, origin and notes
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.
| Term | Location of origin | Targeted demographic | Meaning, origin and notes | References |
| Bible beater, Bible basher | North America | Evangelicals 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 thumper | United States | Christian people, specifically fundamentalists | Someone 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 | |
| Cafeteria Christian | United States | Christians perceived to "pick and choose" which Christian doctrines they believe and those they do not | Used 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 | Punjab | Christians | Derived 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 | |
| Fundie | United States | Christian fundamentalists | Shortening of fundamentalist. Usually used to mean a Christian fundamentalist. | |
| God botherer | Australia | Christian people | Similar to Bible basher, a person who is very vocal about their religion and prayer. | |
| Isai | Pakistan | Christian people | From 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. In neighbori | |
| Rice Christian, Rice bag | United Kingdom, India | Materially 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. |
· Christians › Protestants
Campbellite
Campbellite
Term
Campbellite
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Followers of Church of Christ
Meaning, origin and notes
Followers 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.
Holy Roller
Holy Roller
Term
Holy Roller
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Methodists of the Holiness Movement, Holiness Pentecostals
Meaning, origin and notes
Named after church services involving spontaneous acts of worship, such as sobbing, wailing, groaning, and kneeling.
Hun
Hun
Term
Hun
Location of origin
United Kingdom, Ireland
Targeted demographic
Christian Protestants, especially Glasgow Rangers supporters
Meaning, origin and notes
Used by Irish republicans against Protestant unionists, especially by Glasgow Celtic supporters against those of Glasgow Rangers
Jaffa
Jaffa
Term
Jaffa
Location of origin
United Kingdom
Targeted demographic
Christian Protestants
Meaning, origin and notes
Named after a common orange-flavoured cake/biscuit in Ireland and UK.
Kocia wiara
Kocia wiara
Term
Kocia wiara
Location of origin
Poland
Targeted demographic
Non-Roman Catholic Christians
Meaning, origin and notes
Literally “feline faith” or “cat faith”. Most often used against Jehovah's Witnesses but also against Baptists, Mariavites and members of Polish National Catholic Church.
Prod, Proddy
Prod, Proddy
Term
Prod, Proddy
Location of origin
United Kingdom, Ireland
Targeted demographic
Christian Protestants
Meaning, origin and notes
Particularly used by bullies to disparage a child who attends a Protestant school. Proddywhoddy and proddywoddy are used in children's school rhymes in Cork.
Orangie
Orangie
Term
Orangie
Location of origin
Ireland
Targeted demographic
Ulster Protestants
Meaning, origin and notes
Referring to the Orange Order
Russellite
Russellite
Term
Russellite
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Jehovah's Witnesses
Meaning, origin and notes
Jehovah's Witnesses, from American religious leader Charles Taze Russell.
Shaker
Shaker
Term
Shaker
Location of origin
United States
Targeted demographic
Christian people
Meaning, origin and notes
Member 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 the
Shouting Methodists
Shouting Methodists
Term
Shouting Methodists
Location of origin
United States, United Kingdom
Targeted demographic
Methodists
Meaning, origin and notes
Member of a Methodist denomination, in reference to their free expression and enthusiasm during worship, particularly during revival services and camp meetings.
Soup-taker
Soup-taker
Term
Soup-taker
Location of origin
Ireland
Targeted demographic
Christian who has sold out their beliefs
Meaning, origin and notes
Person 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.
Wee-Free
Wee-Free
Term
Wee-Free
Location of origin
Scotland
Targeted demographic
Free Church of Scotland
Meaning, origin and notes
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.
| Term | Location of origin | Targeted demographic | Meaning, origin and notes | References |
| Campbellite | United States | Followers of Church of Christ | Followers 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. | |
| Holy Roller | United States | Methodists of the Holiness Movement, Holiness Pentecostals | Named after church services involving spontaneous acts of worship, such as sobbing, wailing, groaning, and kneeling. | |
| Hun | United Kingdom, Ireland | Christian Protestants, especially Glasgow Rangers supporters | Used by Irish republicans against Protestant unionists, especially by Glasgow Celtic supporters against those of Glasgow Rangers | |
| Jaffa | United Kingdom | Christian Protestants | Named after a common orange-flavoured cake/biscuit in Ireland and UK. | |
| Kocia wiara | Poland | Non-Roman Catholic Christians | Literally “feline faith” or “cat faith”. Most often used against Jehovah's Witnesses but also against Baptists, Mariavites and members of Polish National Catholic Church. | |
| Prod, Proddy | United Kingdom, Ireland | Christian Protestants | Particularly used by bullies to disparage a child who attends a Protestant school. Proddywhoddy and proddywoddy are used in children's school rhymes in Cork. | |
| Orangie | Ireland | Ulster Protestants | Referring to the Orange Order | |
| Russellite | United States | Jehovah's Witnesses | Jehovah's Witnesses, from American religious leader Charles Taze Russell. | |
| Shaker | United States | Christian people | Member 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 the | |
| Shouting Methodists | United States, United Kingdom | Methodists | Member of a Methodist denomination, in reference to their free expression and enthusiasm during worship, particularly during revival services and camp meetings. | |
| Soup-taker | Ireland | Christian who has sold out their beliefs | Person 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. | |
| Wee-Free | Scotland | Free 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. |
· Christians › Catholics
Czarna mafia
Czarna mafia
Term
Czarna mafia
Location of origin
Poland
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholic priests
Meaning, origin and notes
Literally “Black mafia”. The term suggests that Catholic Church has too much influence and works like a criminal organization.
Left-footer
Left-footer
Term
Left-footer
Location of origin
United Kingdom
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
An 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.
Fenian
Fenian
Term
Fenian
Location of origin
United Kingdom
Targeted demographic
Irish Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
A 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.
Katol
Katol
Term
Katol
Location of origin
Poland
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Commonly known insult; shortened form of "Katolik".
Katotalib, Katotaliban
Katotalib, Katotaliban
Term
Katotalib, Katotaliban
Location of origin
Poland
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
"Catho-talibans", ultracatholics.
Mackerel snapper
Mackerel snapper
Term
Mackerel snapper
Location of origin
North America
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
The term originated in the U . 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.
Mick
Mick
Term
Mick
Location of origin
United Kingdom
Targeted demographic
Irish Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Usually an Irish Catholic (a reference to the common "Mc" patronymic of Irish surnames, or a hypocorism of "Michael").
Papist
Papist
Term
Papist
Location of origin
Northern Ireland, North America, U . in general
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholic
Meaning, origin and notes
Usually Irish Catholic; online often used generically for any Catholic.
Red letter tribe
Red letter tribe
Term
Red letter tribe
Location of origin
North America
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
A name given to Catholics for their keeping so many holy days; marked in their almanacs with red-coloured letters.
Bead-rattler
Bead-rattler
Term
Bead-rattler
Location of origin
Anglophone countries; predominantly the United States, U ., Canada, and Australia
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Roman Catholic person, in reference to the Catholic ritual of praying with rosary beads.
Redneck
Redneck
Term
Redneck
Location of origin
Ireland
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Roman Catholic person, now considered archaic due to its association with the better-known American term.
Romanist
Romanist
Term
Romanist
Location of origin
Predominantly North America and the U .
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Term used when anti-Catholicism was more common in the United States, as well as in Northern Ireland by Ulster Protestants
Shaveling
Shaveling
Term
Shaveling
Location of origin
Unknown
Targeted demographic
Roman Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
Usually disparaging: a tonsured clergyman, priest.
Taig
Taig
Term
Taig
Location of origin
Northern Ireland
Targeted demographic
Irish Catholics
Meaning, origin and notes
From tadhg, perhaps Irish for "Timothy".
| Term | Location of origin | Targeted demographic | Meaning, origin and notes | References |
| Czarna mafia | Poland | Roman Catholic priests | Literally “Black mafia”. The term suggests that Catholic Church has too much influence and works like a criminal organization. | |
| Left-footer | United Kingdom | Roman Catholics | An 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. | |
| Fenian | United Kingdom | Irish Catholics | A 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. | |
| Katol | Poland | Roman Catholics | Commonly known insult; shortened form of "Katolik". | |
| Katotalib, Katotaliban | Poland | Roman Catholics | "Catho-talibans", ultracatholics. | |
| Mackerel snapper | North America | Roman Catholics | The term originated in the U . 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. | |
| Mick | United Kingdom | Irish Catholics | Usually an Irish Catholic (a reference to the common "Mc" patronymic of Irish surnames, or a hypocorism of "Michael"). | |
| Papist | Northern Ireland, North America, U . in general | Roman Catholic | Usually Irish Catholic; online often used generically for any Catholic. | |
| Red letter tribe | North America | Roman Catholics | A 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 ., Canada, and Australia | Roman Catholics | Roman Catholic person, in reference to the Catholic ritual of praying with rosary beads. | |
| Redneck | Ireland | Roman Catholics | Roman Catholic person, now considered archaic due to its association with the better-known American term. | |
| Romanist | Predominantly North America and the U . | Roman Catholics | Term used when anti-Catholicism was more common in the United States, as well as in Northern Ireland by Ulster Protestants | |
| Shaveling | Unknown | Roman Catholics | Usually disparaging: a tonsured clergyman, priest. | |
| Taig | Northern Ireland | Irish Catholics | From tadhg, perhaps Irish for "Timothy". |
· Christians › Oriental Orthodox
Jacobite
Jacobite
Term
Jacobite
Targeted demographic
Syriac Orthodox
Meaning, origin and notes
The 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.
| Term | Location of origin | Targeted demographic | Meaning, origin and notes | References |
| Jacobite | Syriac Orthodox | The 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. |
· Christians › Assyrian Church of the East
Nestorian
Nestorian
Term
Nestorian
Targeted demographic
Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East
Meaning, origin and notes
The 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 tenuou
| Term | Location of origin | Targeted demographic | Meaning, origin and notes | References |
| Nestorian | Assyrian Church of the East and the Ancient Church of the East | The 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 tenuou |
References
- Garner's Modern American Usagehttps://books.google.com/books?id=FwmQpyibKkAC&pg=PA286
- Slang & sociability in-group language among college studentshttps://books.google.com/books?id=0mSJYH9KC-UC&pg=PA157
- The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional Englishhttps://books.google.com/books?id=7UIjVGcSe8MC&q=%22bible+thumper%22+etymology&pg=PA51
- Political Psychologyhttps://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1467-9221.2008.00662.x
- The American Monastic Newsletterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120207202947/http://www.osb.org/aba/news/3201/indexa.html
- Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki
- "Social boycotts, segregation"https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30222602.ece
- scrollhttps://scroll.in/article/817821/the-language-curse-how-proud-community-names-have-been-reduced-to-insults
- UCA Newshttps://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistani-politician-draws-censure-for-christian-slur/82356
- The Language of Defamation Caseshttps://books.google.com/books?id=n35_7HAYRWEC&pg=PA81
- "GOD-BOTHERER definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary"https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/god-botherer/
- "ईसा मसीह (Isa Masih) meaning in English"https://dict.hinkhoj.com/%E0%A4%88%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B9-meaning-in-english.words#google_vignette
- Pakistan NGO tackles demeaning low-caste word for 'Christians', World Watch Monitorhttps://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2015/11/pakistan-ngo-tackles-demeaning-low-caste-word-for-christians/
- Believing Without Belonging?: Religious Beliefs and Social Belonging of Hindu Devotees of Christ
- "Rice Christians"http://www.bartleby.com/81/14282.html
- The Term “rice bag” is a Derogatory way to Curb Dissent, SheThePeople TVhttps://www.shethepeople.tv/home-top-video/the-term-rice-bag-christians-india-derogatory-way-to-curb-dissent/
- The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary describes the term as "sometimes offensive". Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merri
- The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century
- Spiritual Journey
- Merriam Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holy%20Roller