Neutral:
* The heathen tribe lived in a remote part of the jungle.
* Some heathen religions believe in multiple gods.
Negative/Offensive:
* Heathen barbarians destroyed the city. (This implies the speaker views the barbarians as primitive and uncivilized.)
* He called them heathens for not believing in his religion. (This is a derogatory term that could be offensive.)
Historical/Literary:
* The Vikings, who were considered heathens by Christians, raided European coasts.
* The novel portrays the clash between Christian missionaries and heathen natives.
Modern/Figurative:
* He's a heathen when it comes to his diet, eating nothing but junk food. (This uses the word figuratively to mean someone who doesn't follow conventional norms.)
It's important to note that the word "heathen" can be considered offensive or derogatory, especially when used to refer to people. If you're unsure about the context, it's best to choose another word.