Ancient Religious Practices 

Religion seems to have been around for a long time, perhaps for nearly as long as man has existed, at least in some countries. Religion probably did not exist on Earth until mankind had time to sit around and think.

Religions seem to have developed in an area only after its civilization has reached a certain level of culture and advancement.  This is after society progressed beyond the point of needing to work full time looking for something to eat.  This advancement permitted them to have time to sit around and think.

It is said that most ancient Religions had two systems of worship.  They were the public system and the private system. Exoteric and Esoteric.  It seems to be the same today, at least with probably most Religions.

Public services were held for each of the various Gods and were attended by the masses of the people.

Private services were also practiced in secret by a select few who had been initiated.  This secret practice of the Religion of some God by the initiated is often called the Mysteries.

The worship of these Gods was and is considered by Christianity, and probably other modern Religions, to have been and to still be Pagan in nature.  Of course those ancient Religions would have considered the Cult of Christianity and other Religions, to have been Pagan in nature to their Religion. The older ancient Religions probably did not care what name you used for God.  Both Christianity and Islam are still not very tolerant of those who do not 'believe' exactly as they do.  Both of these Expansionist Religions have murdered many people because their beliefs did not agree with the accepted beliefs of these two Religions.  The so-called Pagans were probably more tolerant of diverging beliefs than the modern Religions. (Perhaps they were not competing for the monetary assets of their 'believers'.)

It now seems like anyone who does not practice your Religion is a Pagan.  Remember that in most modern Religions if you do not call the Supreme Being by the same name as that particular Religion then you must be a Pagan, even though the term may refer only to those who are not Christian.

(For more information about this topic read "The History of Freemasonry" by Mackey Chapter XXVI.  Rather interesting)