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[–] NeoGoat 1 point 0 points (+1|-1) ago 

It's a blanket term for the collective ideology of all native (insofar as that word has meaning in this context) European peoples before Christianity was forced upon them.

I would go further and say it is a blanket term for spiritual beliefs which did not become labeled as major religions. With a few exceptions (like Aztecs), people had the sense to worship gods that would help them and not do barbaric things, like kill first-born.

The quote seems worth reading. However, I differ with many items. I'll just give one example:

unirked by the prickings of the social conscience or by any sentimental questionings about human equality.

The pre-Christian civilizations of Rome and Greece would not have flourished if not for social conscience. Athens had democracy, Granted it was limited and slavery was practiced; however, that was a major step toward human equality. The slavery of Rome was, in general, quite humane.