INFIDEL

  The Sanskrit word "NASTIKA" is commonly interpreted in Indic languages to mean "disbelief in God" or an Atheist However, the origins of the word had nothing to do with God or divinity It is a composite word joining two words "Na" meaning "does not/no" and "Asti" meaning "exist", anyone rejecting the Vedas or Vedic philosophy was considered as a "Nastika". That is because in ancient indic society, it was basically Brahminism, meaning only Brahmins and certain privileged persons were allowed to read the Vedas, thus had control over religion, anyone who opposed/rejected Brahminism was automatically assumed to be rejecting the Vedas thus "Nastika". "Atheism" is "Nirishwaravad"(निरीश्वरवाद) or "belief in non existence of God", thus, an atheist is "Nirinshwaravadi"(निरीश्वरवादी). Siddhartha Gautama "Buddha" was a "nastika" because he rejected the Vedas...