When you hear the word "Pagan", what do you think of?

I find it really funny that when you asked what people think of when you say you are pagan and the first response is a non believer in God...hahaha she doesn't even know what it is! Its a religion that believes in several Gods. Which is funny cause if you start reading the Bible there is a lot of similarities between the Neo-Pagans and Christianity...as far as values and doctrine go...and the symbolism used is almost identical as well. I think it is an extremely interesting religion (my sisters Neo-Pagan and I'm Christian and we talk religion all the time) But if I'm being completely honest I think of hippies when I think of Pagans. Like Dharma's parents on Dharma and Greg. Even tho my sister is this corporate lawyer and stuff this is the first thing I think of. Stupid Media.

I'm not Pagan. I live in Taiwan, and "pagan dan" is Chinese for "bacon and eggs".

Pagans were the pre-Christian Europeans, whose faith got stepped on and demonized in keeping with the ham-fisted evangelism that went on at the time.

New Age Paganism is a backlash against Christian Fundamentalism. In their rejection of theologically-flawed Fundamentalism, people are throwing out the baby with the bath water.

We Christians know better these days--or at least most us do.

The other answerers reveal a fundamental mix-up between Paganism and Satanism.

Unfortunately it's the old stereotypes that spring to mind first for me; blood sacrifices and bonfires, that sorta thing. Yeah, I know, not a good thing, I need to work on improving that. However, I know enough to stop myself from actually acting like that's what Pagan MEANS these days, so I'm not all bad...

I think of all the polytheistic religions that I know of: Voodun, Hinduism, Wicca, Druidism, Asatru, Bhudism..etc. Then I ask them what tradition the practise... What else am I supposed to say?

"Lace", a TV mini-series I watched in the 80s with Bess Armstrong, Brooke Adams, Arielle Dombasle, and Phoebe Cates. Brooke Adams' character was named "Pagan".

Americans

I think of myself, and many of my friends who have chosen Polytheism over strict monostheism. Who have often chosen to honor the earth, rather than revile her. I think of people who are fairly easy going, believe Science has yet to discover everything, but reject nothing Science has currently discovered, and people who otherwise, are much like anyone else I've come across in this world.

Even though I'm a Pagan, because my religion is Hellenismos (Hellenic Polytheism). I usually think of Wiccans, Druids and other 'Earth-Based' Neopagan religions, because they are more well known.

My old work mate, Stephen Pagan!!

First thing that comes to mind is country folk, or farmers that live by the land and the seasons.