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{{Short description|Worship of or belief in multiple deities}} | |||
] | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} | |||
'''Polytheism''' is belief in, or worship of, multiple ] or divinities. The word comes from the Greek words ''poly+theoi,'' literally "many gods." Most ancient religions were polytheistic, holding to ] of traditional deities, often accumulated over centuries of cultural interchange and experience. Present-day polytheistic religions include ] (but see below); ]; some forms of ]; ]; and ]. | |||
{{God}} | |||
'''Polytheism''' is the belief in or worship of more than one ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Polytheism |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100336156 |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Oxford Reference |publisher=] |language= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Polytheism |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/polytheism |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Polytheism |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/polytheism |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> According to Oxford Reference, it is not easy to count gods, and so not always obvious whether an apparently polytheistic religion, such as Chinese Folk Religions, is really so, or whether the apparent different objects of worship are to be thought of as manifestations of a singular divinity.<ref name=":1" /> Polytheistic belief is usually assembled into a ] of ] and ]es, along with their own ]s and ]s. Polytheism is a type of ]. Within theism, it contrasts with ], the belief in a ] who is, in most cases, ]. | |||
In religions that accept polytheism, the different gods and goddesses may be representations of forces of nature or ]; they can be viewed either as autonomous or as aspects or ] of a ] or ] ] (] theologies), which manifests ] in nature (] and ] theologies).<ref>]. ''Within the Four Seas...: Introduction to Comparative Philosophy''. Peeters Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9042918128}}. p. 42.</ref> Polytheists do not always worship all the gods equally; they can be in ] or ], specializing in the worship of one particular deity only or at certain times (respectively). | |||
===Ancient polytheism=== | |||
The recognition of the existence of multiple gods and goddesses does not necessarily equate to the worship of all the deities of one or more pantheons, as the believer can either worship them as a whole, or concentrate only on a specific group of deities, determined by various conditions such as the believer's occupation, tastes, personal experience, family tradition, etc. It is also possible to worship a single deity, considered supreme, without ruling out the existence of other gods. This religious position has been called henotheism, but some prefer to call it monolatry. Although the term "henotheism" is controversial, it is recognized by scholars that the worship of a single God accompanied by belief in other deities maintains the principle of polytheism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monotheism - Polytheism, Dualism, Henotheism |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/monotheism/The-spectrum-of-views-monotheisms-and-quasi-monotheisms |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | |||
Well-known polytheistic pantheons in history include the ] gods; the ] and ] gods; the ] gods; the ] Aesir and Vanir; the ] Orisha; the ] gods; and many others. Today, most historical polytheistic religions are referred to as "mythology", though the stories cultures tell about their gods should be distinguished from their cultus or religious practice. | |||
Polytheism was the typical form of religion before the development and spread of the ] of ], ], and ], which enforce monotheism. It is well documented throughout history, from ] and the earliest records of ] and ] to the religions prevalent during ], such as ] and ], and in ] such as ], ], and ] and ]s. Notable polytheistic religions practiced today include ], ], ] or ], many schools of ], ], ], most ],<ref>{{cite journal|last=Kimmerle|first=Heinz|date=2006-04-11|title=The world of spirits and the respect for nature: towards a new appreciation of animism|journal=The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa|language=en-US|volume=2|issue=2|pages=15|doi=10.4102/td.v2i2.277|issn=2415-2005|doi-access=free}}</ref> and various ] faiths such as ]. | |||
Few ancient religions, indeed, were ''not'' polytheistic. Those that weren't include the monotheistic ]s, dualistic ] and ], and possibly the short-lived ] promulgated by ] in Egypt in the 1350s BC. | |||
], while popularly held as polytheistic by many scholars, cannot be exclusively categorised as such as some Hindus consider themselves to be ], ], ], polymorphist, ] or ]. Hinduism does not have a single book, Hinduism is an umbrella term for a collection of ideologies. They are compatible with Hindu texts, since there exists no consensus of standardisation in the faith. ], the most dominant school of Hinduism, offers a combination of pantheism/panentheism and polytheism, holding that ] is the sole ''ultimate reality'' of the universe, yet unity with it can be reached by worshipping the innumerable deities that represent the ''Supreme Absolute Truth''. Hindus who practice ''Bhakti '' ultimately believe in one God, who is known variously as ''Paramatman'', ''Parabrahman'', ''Bhagavan'', ''Ishvara'', and so on, that transcends all categories (e.g. both of form and formless), however the common people who remain unaware of these concepts worship their deities as ultimate god. Different regions can have their own local deities whose worship is restricted to that region. Bramhan is personification of the concept of Moksha and the different gods are paths to moksha or realising the Brahman. | |||
In many civilizations, pantheons tended to grow over time. Deities first worshipped as the patrons of cities or places came to be collected together as empires extended over larger territories. Conquests could lead to the subordination of the elder culture's pantheon to a newer one, as in the Greek ], and possibly also the case of the ] and ] in the ]. Cultural exchange could lead to "the same" deity being renowned in two places under different names, as with the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans; also to the introduction of elements of a "foreign" religion into a local cult, as with Egyptian ] worship brought to ancient Greece. | |||
==Terminology== | |||
===Gods and Divinity=== | |||
The term comes from the ] πολύ ''poly'' ("many") and θεός ''theos'' ("god") and was coined by the Jewish writer ] to argue with the Greeks. When Christianity spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, non-Christians were just called ] (a term originally used by Jews to refer to non-Jews) or ]s (locals) or by the clearly pejorative term idolaters (worshippers of "false" gods). In modern times, the term polytheism was first revived in French by ] in 1580, followed by ]'s usage in English in 1614.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Inconceivable Polytheism: Studies in Religious Historiography |last= Schmidt|first= Francis |year=1987 |publisher= Gordon & Breach Science Publishers |location=New York |isbn= 978-3718603671 |page=10}}</ref> | |||
==Soft versus hard== | |||
Many more philosophical polytheists come to regard their multiplicity of gods as representing aspects or facets of a greater divine unity: not a personal god as in the monotheistic religions, but an ultimate reality of the divine. The best known example is ] in Hinduism. Modern ] polytheists also often follow this model. | |||
{{See also|Interpretatio graeca}} | |||
A major division in modern polytheistic practices is between so-called soft polytheism and hard polytheism.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://digilib.phil.muni.cz/handle/11222.digilib/138049|title=Modern Pagan religious conversion revisited|last=Galtsin|first=Dmitry|date=2018-06-21|journal=Sacra|volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=7–17 |access-date=2019-02-05}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|title=Seeking the mystery : an introduction to Pagan theologies|last=Hoff|first=Kraemer, Christine|date=2012|publisher=Patheos Press|isbn=9781939221186|location=Englewood, CO|oclc=855412257}}</ref> | |||
"Soft" polytheism is the belief that different gods may either be psychological ], personifications of natural forces, or as being one essential god interpreted through the lenses of different cultures (e.g. ], ], and ] all being the same god as interpreted by Germanic, Greek, and Indic peoples respectively) – known as ].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Negedu|first=I. A.|date=2014-01-01|title=The Igala traditional religious belief system: Between monotheism and polytheism|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/og/article/view/109609|journal=OGIRISI: A New Journal of African Studies|language=en|volume=10|issue=1|pages=116–129|issn=1597-474X|doi=10.4314/og.v10i1.7|doi-access=free}}</ref> In this way, gods may be interchangeable for one another across cultures.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
That a person believes in multiple gods does not imply that he or she necessarily worships them all. Many polytheists believe in the existence of many gods, but worship only one. This variant of polytheism is termed ]. Some people view henotheistic polytheism as a form of monotheism; some historians have argued that the monotheistic religions originated in henotheism. Practically all Jews, Christians and Muslims today, however, view henotheism as polytheism. | |||
"Hard" polytheism is the belief that gods are distinct, separate, real divine beings, rather than psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one essential god" and may also ].<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Gods and divinity== | |||
External links: | |||
The deities of polytheism are often portrayed as complex personages of greater or lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires and histories, in many ways similar to humans (]) in their ] traits, but with additional individual powers, abilities, knowledge or perceptions. | |||
* http://www.religioustolerance.org/gl_h.htm | |||
Polytheism cannot be cleanly separated from the ] beliefs prevalent in most ]s. The gods of polytheism are in many cases the highest order of a continuum of ] or spirits, which may include ], ]s, ], and others. In some cases these spirits are divided into ] or ] classes, and belief in the existence of all these beings does not imply that all are worshipped. | |||
==Types of deities== | |||
Compare ], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
{{Further|List of deities}} | |||
Types of deities often found in polytheism may include: | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] (]) | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] (such as a king or emperor) | |||
* ] (]) | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* Deities of music, arts, science, farming, or other endeavors | |||
==Religion and mythology== | |||
{{Main|Religion and mythology}} | |||
In ], 4th century CE Neoplatonist ] categorized ] into five types:<ref>Sallustius, ''On the Gods and the World'', ]</ref> | |||
# Theological: myths that contemplate the essence of the gods, such as ] swallowing his children, which Sallustius regarded as expressing in allegory the essence of divinity | |||
# Physical: expressing the activities of gods in the world | |||
# Psychological: myths as allegories of the activities of the soul itself or the soul's acts of thought | |||
# Material: regarding material objects as gods, for example: to call the earth ], the ocean Okeanos, or heat ] | |||
# Mixed | |||
The beliefs of many historical polytheistic religions are commonly referred to as "mythology",<ref>Eugenie C. Scott, ''Evolution Vs. Creationism: An Introduction'' (2009), p. 58.</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=July 2022}} though the stories cultures tell about their gods should be distinguished{{according to whom|date=July 2022}} from their worship or religious practice. For instance, deities portrayed in conflict in mythology were often nonetheless worshipped side by side, illustrating the distinction within the religion between belief and practice.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} Scholars such as ], ], and ] have reconstructed aspects of the ancient ] from which the religions of the various ] are thought to derive, which is believed to have been an essentially naturalist ] religion.{{Citation needed|reason=develop, how are they "essentialy naturalist numenistic religions"?|date=April 2021}} An example of a religious notion from this shared past is the concept of '']'', which is attested in several religious systems of Indo-European-speaking peoples. | |||
==Ancient and historical religions== | |||
] in the ]]] | |||
Well-known historical polytheistic pantheons include the ] gods, the ] gods, the pantheon attested in ] (in ] and ] religion), the ] ] and ], the ] ], and the ] gods. | |||
In many civilizations, pantheons tended to grow over time. Deities first worshipped as the patrons of cities or other places came to be collected together as empires extended over larger territories. Conquests could lead to the subordination of a culture's pantheon to that of the invaders, as in the Greek ], and possibly also the ] in the ]. Cultural exchange could lead to "the same" deity being revered in two places under different names, as seen with the Greeks, ]s, and Romans, and also to the cultural transmission of elements of an extraneous religion, as with the ]ian deity ], who was later worshipped in ]. | |||
Most ancient belief systems held that gods influenced human lives. However, the Greek philosopher ] held that the gods were incorruptible but material, blissful beings who inhabited the empty spaces between worlds and did not trouble themselves with the affairs of mortals, but could be perceived by the mind, especially during sleep. | |||
===Ancient Greece=== | |||
{{Main|Religion in ancient Greece}} | |||
] | |||
The classical scheme in Ancient Greece of the ] (the Canonical Twelve of art and poetry) were:<ref name="EnAm1993">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Greek mythology |encyclopedia=] |year=1993 |volume=13 |page=431}}</ref><ref name="EnPLB2007">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Dodekatheon |trans-title=Twelve Olympians |encyclopedia=] |year=2007 |language=el}}</ref> ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Though it is suggested that Hestia stepped down when ] was invited to ], this is a matter of controversy. Robert Graves' ''The Greek Myths'' cites two sources<ref>{{cite web|title=Apollodorus, Library, book 3, chapter 5, section 3|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Apollod.+3.5.3&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pausanias, Description of Greece|url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+2.31.2&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160}}</ref> that obviously do not suggest Hestia surrendered her seat, though he suggests she did. ]<ref name="EnAm1919">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Encyclopedia Americana Vol. 13 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PWYMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA408 |volume=13 |year=1919 |editor=George Edward Rines |publisher=Americana Corp |pages=408–411}}</ref> was often excluded because he dwelt in the underworld. All of the gods had a power. There was, however, a great deal of fluidity as to whom was counted among their number in antiquity.<ref name="Stoll1852">{{cite book|author=Stoll, Heinrich Wilhelm (R.B. Paul trans.) |title=Handbook of the religion and mythology of the Greeks |publisher=Francis and John Rivington |year=1852 |page=8 |quote=The limitation to twelve seems to have been a comparatively modern idea}}</ref> Different cities often worshipped the same deities, sometimes with ]s that distinguished them and specified their local nature. | |||
] extended beyond mainland Greece, to the islands and coasts of ] in ], to ] (Sicily and southern Italy), and to scattered Greek colonies in the Western Mediterranean, such as ] (Marseille). Greek religion tempered ] to form much of the later ]. During the Hellenistic Era, philosophical schools like ] developed distinct theologies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmO-s9qkrgA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/pmO-s9qkrgA |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=On the Epicurean Gods|date=2020|publisher=Society of Friends of Epicurus}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Hellenism is, in practice, primarily centered around polytheistic and animistic worship. | |||
==Folk religions== | |||
{{Main|Folk religion}} | |||
{{Further|Saint|Angel|Folk Catholicism|Shamanism}} | |||
] statues serve as avatars of rice deities in the ] beliefs of the ] in the ].]] | |||
The majority of so-called "]" in the world today (distinguished from traditional ]s) are found in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-folk/ |title=Folk Religionists |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2012-12-18 |website=Pew Forum |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=2021-03-31}}</ref> This fact conforms to the trend of the majority of polytheist religions being found outside the western world.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gries |first1=P. |last2=Su |first2=J. |last3= Schak |first3= D. |date=December 2012 |title=Toward the scientific study of polytheism: beyond forced-choice measures of religious belief |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2012.01683.x |journal=Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=623–637 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-5906.2012.01683.x |access-date=2021-03-31}}</ref> | |||
Folk religions are often closely tied to ]. Animistic beliefs are found in historical and modern cultures. Folk beliefs are often labeled superstitions when they are present in ] societies.<ref name="van Baaren">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/monotheism/The-spectrum-of-views-monotheisms-and-quasi-monotheisms |title=Monotheism |last=van Baaren |first=Theodorus P. |website=Britannica |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=2021-04-12}}</ref> Folk religions often do not have organized authorities, also known as ], or any formal ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-folk/ |title=Folk Religionists |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2012-12-18 |website=Pew Forum |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=2021-03-31}}</ref> They often coincide with other religions as well. ], which dominate the western world, typically do not approve of practicing parts of multiple religions, but folk religions often overlap with others.<ref name="van Baaren"/> Followers of polytheistic religions do not often problematize following practices and beliefs from multiple religions. | |||
==Modern religions== | |||
{{Further|Theology|Pantheon (gods)|Euhemerism|Interpretatio graeca|Demigod|Apotheosis}} | |||
===Buddhism=== | |||
{{Further|God in Buddhism|Deva (Buddhism)|Nontheism#Buddhism}} | |||
Depending on the ] practiced, ] may be seen as polytheistic as it at least acknowledges the existence of multiple gods. ] is a leader figure but is not meant to be worshipped as a god. ], a Sanskrit word for ''gods'', are also not meant to be worshipped. They are not immortal and have limited powers. A Deva may have been human with positive ] in previous lives and was reborn as a Deva.<ref>{{cite book |last=Trainor |first=Kevin |date=2004 |title=Buddhism: The Illustrated Guide |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=62}}</ref> | |||
A common Buddhist practice is ]: the use of rituals to achieve enlightenment. Tantra focuses on seeing oneself as a deity and the use of deities as symbols rather than supernatural agents.<ref name="O'Brien">{{cite web |url=https://www.learnreligions.com/gods-in-buddhism-449762 |title=The Role of Gods and Deities in Buddhism |last=O'Brien |first=Barbara |date= |website=Learn Religions |access-date=2021-03-31}}</ref> | |||
Buddhism is most closely aligned with polytheism when it is linked with other religions, often folk religions. For example, the Japanese ] religion, in which deities called ] are worshipped, is sometimes ] with Buddhism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://japanology.org/2016/06/buddhism-and-shinto-the-two-pillars-of-japanese-culture |title=Buddhism and Shinto: The Two Pillars of Japanese Culture |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2016-06-20 |website=Japanology |access-date=2021-04-14 |archive-date=2021-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415203649/https://japanology.org/2016/06/buddhism-and-shinto-the-two-pillars-of-japanese-culture/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
===Christianity=== | |||
{{See also|God in Christianity|Trinity}} | |||
Although Christianity is usually described as monotheistic,<ref>{{cite book |title= Christianity: A Very Short Introduction|last= Woodhead|first= Linda |year= 2004|publisher= Oxford University Press |location= Oxford|pages= n.p}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/monotheism#ref38222 |title = Monotheism | Definition, Types, Examples, & Facts| date=24 May 2023 }}</ref> it is sometimes claimed that the doctrine of the ], upheld by most Christian traditions since the religion's conception, precludes pure monotheism.<ref>''Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'' (1974) art. "Monotheism"</ref> The doctrine posits that God consists of ], ] and the ]. Because the deity is three distinct persons, some believe Christianity should be considered a form of ], a form of polytheism.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ccjr.us/dialogika-resources/educational-and-liturgical-materials/classic-articles/966-fisher2010/./|title= Typical Jewish Misunderstandings of Christianity|website= Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations|access-date= June 8, 2018|archive-date= June 12, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135846/http://www.ccjr.us/dialogika-resources/educational-and-liturgical-materials/classic-articles/966-fisher2010/|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedebateinitiative.com/2014/12/08/muslims-reject-the-trinity-because-they-do-understand-it/./|title=Muslims reject the Trinity because they do understand it|website=thedebateinitiative|access-date= June 8, 2018}}</ref> Christianity contends that "one God exists in Three Persons and One Substance,"<ref name="odcc-trin">''Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'' (1974) art. "Trinity, Doctrine of the"</ref> but that the deity cannot be a unitary person with an individual identity. Christianity inherited the idea of "]" from ] and maintains that its monotheistic doctrine is central to the faith. | |||
]]] | |||
Jordan Paper, a Western scholar and self-described polytheist, considers polytheism the normal state of human culture. He argues that "Even the Catholic Church shows polytheistic aspects with the 'veneration' of the saints." On the other hand, he asserts, monotheistic missionaries and scholars were eager to see a proto-monotheism or at least ] in polytheistic religions, for example, when taking from the Chinese pair of Sky and Earth only one part and calling it the ''King of Heaven'', as ] did.<ref>Jordan Paper: The Deities are Many. A Polytheistic Theology. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2005, pp. 112 and 133.</ref> In 1508, a London ] named William Pottier was accused of believing in six gods.<ref name="Royal Milton 2020 p. 44">{{cite book | last1=Royal | first1=S. | last2=Milton | first2=A. | title=Lollards in the English Reformation: History, radicalism, and John Foxe | publisher=Manchester University Press | series=Politics, Culture and Society in Early Modern Britain | year=2020 | isbn=978-1-5261-2882-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CNDKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT44 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=44}}</ref> | |||
====Mormonism==== | |||
<!-- Do not cite religious texts as sources for theological statements; reliable secondary sources are required. See ] for more details --> | |||
{{Further|God in Mormonism}} | |||
], the founder of the ], believed in "the plurality of Gods", saying, "I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods."<ref>{{citation |contribution-url= http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Godhead |contribution= Godhead |last= Dahl |first= Paul E. |pages= 552–553 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |year= 1992 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= ] |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}</ref> Mormonism, which emerged from Protestantism,<ref name="Bowen 2005 p. 26">{{cite book | last=Bowen | first=K. | title=Christians in a Secular World: The Canadian Experience | publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press | series=McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Religion | year=2005 | isbn=978-0-7735-2712-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=__38sGZLrvYC&pg=PA26 | access-date=2022-11-13 | page=26}}</ref> teaches ], which is defined as the hypothesis that people can, in all ways, become like God in the ].<ref>{{citation |contribution-url= http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Exaltation |contribution= Exaltation |last= Pope |first= Margaret McConkie |page= 479 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |access-date= 2014-11-12 |archive-date= 2017-10-19 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019112135/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Exaltation |url-status= dead }}</ref> Mormonism also affirms the existence of a ],<ref>{{citation |contribution-url= http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Heavenly_Mother |contribution= Mother in Heaven |last= Cannon |first= Elaine Anderson |author-link= Elaine A. Cannon |page= 961 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |access-date= 2014-03-26 |archive-date= 2017-10-19 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019111714/http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Heavenly_Mother |url-status= dead }}</ref> and the prevailing view among Mormons is that ] was once a man who lived on a planet with his own higher God, and became perfect after following this higher God.<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/beliefs/god_1.shtml |title= Religions: An explanation of Mormon beliefs about God |work= ] |date= October 2, 2009 |access-date= 2014-10-28 }}.</ref><ref>{{citation |last1= Riess |first1= Jana |author1-link= Jana Riess |first2= Christopher Kimball |last2= Bigelow |title= Mormonism for Dummies |publisher= John Wiley & Sons |year= 2005 |isbn= 978-0-7645-7195-4 |chapter= Chapter 3: Heavenly Parents, Savior, and Holy Ghost }}</ref> Some critics of Mormonism argue that statements in the ] describe a ] conception of God (e.g. {{Mormonverse|2 Nephi|31:21}}; {{Mormonverse|Alma|11:44}}), but were superseded by later ].<ref>{{citation |last= Hoekema |first= Anthony |author-link= Anthony A. Hoekema |title= The Four Major Cults: Christian Science, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Seventh-Day Adventism |publisher= ] |place= Exeter, England |year= 1969 |orig-year= 1963 |page= 34 |isbn= 0853640947 |oclc= 12735425 }}{{unreliable source?|date=November 2014}}<!-- Polemic source perhaps not the best reference here, or at least using it exclusively --></ref> Due to teachings within ], some theologians claim that it allows for an infinite number of gods.<ref name="Crane 2010 p. 63">{{cite book | last=Crane | first=S.A. | title=Is Mormonism Now Christian? | publisher=Wipf & Stock Pub. | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-60899-251-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ym5MAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=63}}</ref><ref name="Haddad Groothuis 2011 p. 57">{{cite book | last1=Haddad | first1=J.F. | last2=Groothuis | first2=D. | title=Leaving Dirt Place: Love as an Apologetic for Christianity | publisher=Wipf & Stock Publishers | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-61097-217-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2PhMAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=57}}</ref><ref name="Parrish 2019 p. 65">{{cite book | last=Parrish | first=S.E. | title=Atheism?: A Critical Analysis | publisher=Wipf & Stock Publishers | year=2019 | isbn=978-1-5326-7266-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d_CaDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA65 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=65}}</ref><ref name="Morley 2015 p. 277">{{cite book | last=Morley | first=B.K. | title=Mapping Apologetics: Comparing Contemporary Approaches | publisher=InterVarsity Press | year=2015 | isbn=978-0-8308-9704-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jz-jBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA277 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=277}}</ref><ref name="Ankerberg Weldon 2019 p. 122">{{cite book | last1=Ankerberg | first1=J. | last2=Weldon | first2=J. | title=Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mormonism | publisher=ATRI | year=2019 | isbn=978-1-937136-51-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r21HEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT122 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=122}}</ref><ref name="Tsoukalas 2022 p. 37">{{cite book | last=Tsoukalas | first=S. | title=Knowing Christ in the Challenge of Heresy: A Christology of the Cults, A Christology of the Bible | publisher=Wipf & Stock Publishers | year=2022 | isbn=978-1-6667-3786-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sn9zEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA37 | access-date=2023-02-23 | page=37}}</ref> | |||
Mormon theology posits that scriptural statements on the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost represent a unity of purpose, not substance.<ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/11/the-only-true-god-and-jesus-christ-whom-he-hath-sent?lang=eng |title= The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent |last= Holland |first= Jeffrey R. |author-link= Jeffrey R. Holland |date= November 2007 |journal= ] }}</ref> They believe that the ] Church did not characterize divinity in terms of an immaterial, formless, shared substance until ] theologians began to incorporate Greek metaphysical philosophies (such as ]) into Christian doctrine.<ref>{{citation |last= Bickmore |first= Barry R. |author-link= Barry R. Bickmore |year= 2001 |title= Does God Have a Body In Human Form? |url= http://www.fairmormon.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bickmore-GodHaveBody.pdf |publisher= ] }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1994/04/the-reality-of-the-resurrection?lang=eng |title= The Reality of the Resurrection |last= Draper |first= Richard R. |date= April 1994 |journal= ] }}</ref> Mormons believe that the truth about God's nature was restored through modern-day revelation, which reinstated the original ] concept of a natural, corporeal, immortal God,<ref>{{citation |last= Webb |first= Steven H. |author-link= Stephen H. Webb |title= Jesus Christ, Eternal God: Heavenly Flesh and the Metaphysics of Matter |publisher= Oxford University Press |year= 2012 |url= https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/byu-studies-volume-50-issue-3 |access-date= 2016-10-24 |archive-date= 2020-02-14 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200214141716/https://byustudies.byu.edu/content/byu-studies-volume-50-issue-3 |url-status= dead }}</ref> who is the literal father of the spirits of humans.<ref>{{citation |journal= ] |date= January 2010 |title= God Is Truly Our Father |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2010/01/god-is-truly-our-father?lang=eng }}</ref> It is to this personage alone that Mormons pray, as he is and always will be their Heavenly Father, the supreme "God of gods" (Deuteronomy 10:17). In the sense that Mormons worship only God the Father, they consider themselves monotheists. Nevertheless, Mormons adhere to Jesus's teaching that those who receive ] can obtain the title of "gods" (John 10:33–36) because, as literal children of God, they can take upon themselves his divine attributes.<ref>{{cite web|editor-last= Lindsay|editor-first= Jeff|work= LDS FAQ: Mormon Answers|at= |url= http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Relationships.shtml|title= Relationships Between Man, Christ, and God|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141112173311/http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_Relationships.shtml |archive-date= 2014-11-12 |url-status= live }}</ref> Mormons teach that "The glory of God is intelligence" (] 93:36), and that it is by sharing the Father's perfect comprehension of all things that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also divine.<ref>{{citation |title= Doctrine and Covenants Instructor's Guide: Religion 324–325 |year= 1981 |chapter= 'The Glory of God is Intelligence' – Lesson 37: Section 93 |publisher= ], ] |chapter-url= https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-instructors-guide-religion-324-325/the-glory-of-god-is-intelligence-lesson-37-section-93?lang=eng |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/32494_eng.pdf }}</ref> | |||
===Hinduism=== | |||
{{Further|Hindu views on monotheism}} | |||
Hinduism is neither a monolithic religion nor an ]: a wide variety of religious traditions and practices are grouped under this umbrella term, and some modern scholars have questioned the legitimacy of unifying them artificially and suggest that one should speak of "Hinduisms" in the plural.<ref>Smith, Brian. "Hinduism." New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2013 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3424300342.html</ref> Theistic ] encompasses both monotheistic and polytheistic tendencies and variations on or mixes of both structures. | |||
Hindus venerate deities in the form of the '']'', or idol. The '']'' (worship) of the ''pratima'' is like a way to communicate with the formless, abstract divinity (] in Hinduism) which creates, sustains and dissolves creation. However, some sects have advocated that there is no need to give a shape to God and that it is omnipresent and beyond what humans can see or feel tangibly. These gods were not worshipped without a proper consecration ritual.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Consecration? |url=https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/wisdom/article/what-is-consecration |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=isha.sadhguru.org |language=en}}</ref> It was believed that after the consecration ritual, the idol no longer remained as stone or metal and attained a temporary or permanent state of divinity. | |||
Some Hindu philosophers and theologians argue for a transcendent metaphysical structure with a single divine essence.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} This divine essence is usually referred to as ] or ], but the understanding of the nature of this absolute divine essence is the line which defines many Hindu philosophical traditions such as ]. | |||
Among lay Hindus, some believe in different deities emanating from Brahman, while others practice more traditional polytheism and henotheism. These practices focus worship on one or more personal deities while granting the existence of others. | |||
Academically speaking, the ancient Vedic scriptures, upon which Hinduism is derived, describe four authorized disciplic lines of teaching coming down over thousands of years. (Padma Purana). Four propound that the Absolute Truth is Fully Personal, as in Judeo-Christian theology. They say that the Primal Original God is Personal, both transcendent and immanent throughout creation. He can be and is often approached through worship of Prathimas, called "Archa-Vigraha", described in the Vedas as identical to his various dynamic, spiritual Forms. This is the Vaisnava theology. | |||
The fifth disciplic line of Vedic spirituality, founded by ], promotes the concept that the Absolute is Brahman, without clear differentiations, will, thought, or intelligence. | |||
In the ] denomination of Hinduism, the philosophy of ] expounded by ] allows veneration of numerous deities {{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} with the understanding that all of them are but manifestations of one impersonal divine power, ]. Therefore, according to various schools of Vedanta including Shankara, which is the most influential and important Hindu theological tradition, there are a great number of deities in Hinduism, such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] but they are essentially different forms of the same "Being".{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} However, many Vedantic philosophers also argue that the same impersonal, divine power united all individuals in the form of the ]. | |||
Many other Hindus, however, view polytheism as far preferable to monotheism. ], for example, points to the ] as being specifically polytheistic,<ref>{{cite book|last=Goel|first=Sita Ram|title=Defence of Hindu Society|year=1987|publisher=Voice of India|location=New Delhi, India|url=http://voi.org/books/hindusoc/ch5.htm|quote="In the Vedic approach, there is no single God. This is bad enough. But the Hindus do not have even a supreme God, a fuhrer-God who presides over a multiplicity of Gods." – Ram Swarup|access-date=2011-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181337/http://voi.org/books/hindusoc/ch5.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> and states that, "only some form of polytheism alone can do justice to this variety and richness."<ref>{{cite book|last=Goel|first=Sita Ram|title=Defence of Hindu Society|year=1987|publisher=Voice of India|location=New Delhi, India|url=http://voi.org/books/hindusoc/ch5.htm|access-date=2011-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181337/http://voi.org/books/hindusoc/ch5.htm|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> <blockquote>Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of non-Eternity, origin of universe): | |||
There was neither non-existence nor existence then; | |||
Neither the realm of space, nor the sky which is beyond; | |||
What stirred? Where? In whose protection? | |||
There was neither death nor immortality then; | |||
No distinguishing sign of night nor of day; | |||
That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse; | |||
Other than that there was nothing beyond. | |||
Darkness there was at first, by darkness hidden; | |||
Without distinctive marks, this all was water; | |||
That which, becoming, by the void was covered; | |||
That One by force of heat came into being; | |||
Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it? | |||
Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation? | |||
Gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe. | |||
Who then knows whence it has arisen? | |||
Whether God's will created it, or whether He was mute; | |||
Perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not; | |||
The Supreme Brahman of the world, all pervasive and all knowing | |||
He indeed knows, if not, no one knows | |||
-] 10.129 (Abridged, Tr: Kramer / Christian) </blockquote>Some Hindus construe this notion of polytheism in the sense of polymorphism—one God with many forms or names. The ], the primary Hindu scripture, elucidates this as follows: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutman. ''To what is One'', sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan. '''Book I, Hymn 164, Verse 46 Rigveda''' | |||
</blockquote> | |||
===Zoroastrianism=== | |||
{{See also|Criticism of Zoroastrianism#Polytheism}} | |||
] is the supreme god, but Zoroastrianism does not deny other deities. Ahura Mazda has ] ("good agents"), some of which include ], ], ], ], and ]. ] has put forth evidence that ] worshiped all these figures, especially Mithra and Anahita.<ref>], "Religions of Iran: From Prehistory to the Present", Oneworld Publications, 2013, p. xiv</ref> | |||
] states ] is henotheistic and "a dualistic and polytheistic religion, but with one supreme god, who is the father of the ordered cosmos".<ref>Prods Oktor Skjærvø (2006), '''', 2005, Harvard University Archives, p. 15 with footnote 1</ref> Other scholars state that this is unclear, because historic texts present a conflicting picture, ranging from Zoroastrianism's belief in "one god, two gods, or a best god henotheism".<ref>{{cite book|author=Brian Arthur Brown|title=Four Testaments: Tao Te Ching, Analects, Dhammapada, Bhagavad Gita: Sacred Scriptures of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_MsvDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA347|year=2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-6578-3|pages=347–349}}</ref> | |||
===Tengrism=== | |||
{{See also|Turkic mythology|Mongol mythology|Mongolian shamanism}} | |||
The nature of ] remains debatable. According to many scholars, Tengrism was originally ], but a ] branch with the sky god Kök-Tengri as the ] evolved as a dynastical legitimation. It is at least agreed that Tengrism formed from the diverse folk religions of the local people and may have had diverse branches.<ref>{{cite book |surname=Schmidt |given=Wilhelm |author-link=Wilhelm Schmidt (linguist) |year=1949–52 |title=Der Ursprung der Gottes |trans-title=The Origin of the Idea of God |volume=9–10 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |surname=Doerfer |given=Gerhard |author-link=Gerhard Doerfer |year=1965 |title=Turkische und Mongolische Elemente im Neupersischen |volume=2 |place=Wiesbaden |language=de |page=580}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Pettazzoni|1y=1956|1p=261f|2a1=Gumilyov|2y=1967|2loc=ch. 7|3a1=Tanyu|3y=1980|3p=|4a1=Alici|4y=2011|4p=}} | |||
It is suggested that Tengrism was a monotheistic religion only at the imperial level in aristocratic circles, {{sfnm|1a1=Roux|1y=1956|1p=|2a1=Roux|2y=1984|2p=|3a1=Róna-Tas|3y=1987|3pp=33–45|4a1=Kodar|4y=2009|4p=}}<ref>Meserve, R., ''Religions in the central Asian environment''. In: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221846/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001204/120455e.pdf |date=2016-03-03}}, The age of achievement: A.D. 750 to the end of the fifteenth century, Part Two: The achievements, p. 68: | |||
* "The 'imperial' religion was more monotheistic, centred around the all-powerful god Tengri, the sky god."</ref><ref name="PolyMono">Fergus, Michael; Jandosova, Janar. , Stacey International, 2003, p. 91: | |||
* "... a profound combination of monotheism and polytheism that has come to be known as Tengrism."</ref> and, perhaps, only by the 12th–13th centuries (a late form of development of ancient animistic shamanism in the era of the Mongol empire).{{sfn|Bira|2011|p=14}} | |||
According to ], the monotheistic concept evolved from a polytheistic system and was not the original form of Tengrism. The monotheistic concept helped to legitimate the rule of the dynasty: "As there is only one God in Heaven, there can only be one ruler on the earth ...".{{sfn|Roux|1956|p=242}} | |||
Others point out that Tengri itself was never an Absolute, but only one of many gods of the upper world, the ], of polytheistic shamanism, later known as Tengrism.{{sfnm|1a1=Stebleva|1y=1971|1p=|2a1=Klyashtornyj|2y=2008|2p=}} | |||
The term also describes several contemporary Turko-Mongolic native ] and teachings. All modern adherents of "political" Tengrism are monotheists.{{sfn|Laruelle|2006|pp=3–4}} | |||
===Modern Paganism=== | |||
''']''', also known as '''neopaganism''' and '''contemporary paganism''',{{Sfn|Adler|2006|p=xiii}} is a group of contemporary ]s influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various ] beliefs of pre-modern Europe.{{Sfn|Lewis|2004|p=13}}{{Sfn|Hanegraaff|1996|p=84}} Although they have commonalities, contemporary pagan religious movements are diverse, and no single set of beliefs, practices, or ]s are shared by them all.{{Sfn|Carpenter|1996|p=40}} | |||
Founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner helped to revive ancient polytheism.<ref name="BBC News 2014">{{cite web | title=Gerald Gardner: Blue plaque for 'father of witchcraft' – BBC News | website=BBC News | date=2014-06-13 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-27819164 | access-date=2023-02-22}}</ref><ref name="Hodge 2016 p. 183">{{cite book | last=Hodge | first=B. | title=World Religions and Cults Volume 2: Moralistic, Mythical and Mysticism Religions | publisher=New Leaf Publishing Group, Incorporated | series=World of Religions and Cults | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-61458-504-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mmAzDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA183 | access-date=2023-02-22 | page=183}}</ref> ] ] ] was a major populiser of ''soft polytheism''. In her novel '']'', she wrote, "All gods are one god, and all goddesses are one goddess, and there is one initiator."<ref name="FortuneKnight2003">{{cite book|last1=Fortune |first1=Dion |author-link1=Dion Fortune |last2=Knight |first2=Gareth |title=The Sea Priestess |date=30 June 2003 |publisher=Weiser |isbn=978-1-57863-290-9 |page=169 |quote=All gods are one god, and all goddesses are one goddess, and there is one initiator.}}</ref> | |||
====Reconstructionism==== | |||
{{main|Polytheistic reconstructionism}} | |||
Reconstructionist polytheists apply scholarly disciplines such as ], ], and ] to revive ancient, traditional religions that have been fragmented, damaged, or even destroyed, such as ], ] and ]. A reconstructionist endeavors to revive and reconstruct an authentic practice based on the ancestors' ways but workable in contemporary life. These polytheists sharply differ from neopagans in that they consider their religion not only as inspired by historical religions but, in many cases, as a continuation or revival of those religions.<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Hellenismos Today|author=Alexander, T.J.|date=2007|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9781430314271|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ie-aHv8rzHoC&pg=PA14|page=14|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} | |||
====Wicca==== | |||
{{main|Wicca}} | |||
] is a ] faith created by ] that allows for polytheism.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Gerald|title=The Meaning of Witchcraft|year=1982|publisher=Llewellyn Pubns|isbn=0939708027|pages=165–166}}</ref><ref name="Hutton 2003">{{cite book|last=Hutton|first=Ronald|title=The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft|year=2003|publisher=Oxford Paperbacks|isbn=0192854496}}</ref><ref name="Lamond 2005">{{cite book|last=Lamond|first=Frederic|title=Fifty Years of Wicca|year=2005|publisher=Green Magic|isbn=0954723015}}</ref> Wiccans specifically worship the Lord and Lady of the Isles (their names are oathbound).<ref name="Hutton 2003"/><ref name="Lamond 2005"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Bracelin|first=J|title=Gerald Gardner: Witch|year=1999|publisher=Pentacle Enterprises|isbn=1872189083|page=199}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Gerald|title=The Meaning of Witchcraft|year=1982|publisher=Llewellyn Pubns|isbn=0939708027|pages=260–261}}</ref> It is an ] mystery religion that requires initiation to the priesthood to consider oneself Wiccan.<ref name="Hutton 2003"/><ref name="Lamond 2005"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Gerald|title=The Meaning of Witchcraft|year=1982|publisher=Llewellyn Pubns|isbn=0939708027|pages=21–22, 28–29, 69, 116}}</ref> Wicca emphasizes duality and the cycle of nature.<ref name="Hutton 2003"/><ref name="Lamond 2005"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Gerald|title=The Meaning of Witchcraft|year=1982|publisher=Llewellyn Pubns|isbn=0939708027}}</ref> | |||
===Serer=== | |||
{{main|Serer religion|Timeline of Serer history|States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes}} | |||
In ], polytheism in ] dates to the ] or possibly earlier, when the ] represented their '']'' on the ].<ref name="Serer religion">{{in lang|fr}} ], ''"La civilisation Sereer'' – ''Pangool"'', Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines du Senegal, (1990), {{ISBN|2-7236-1055-1}}. pp 9, 20, 77</ref> {{dubious|date=May 2024}} The supreme creator deity in the Serer religion is ]. However, there are ]<ref name="Serer deities">{{in lang|en}} Kellog, Day Otis, and Smith, William Robertson, "The Encyclopædia Britannica: latest edition. A dictionary of arts, sciences and general literature", Volume 25, p 64, Werner (1902)</ref> and ] (singular: ''Fangool'', the interceders with the divine) in the Serer religion.<ref name="Serer religion"/> Each has its own purpose and serves as Roog's agent on Earth.<ref name="Serer deities"/> Amongst the ], a sub-group of the ], Roog is known as ].<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Ndiaye, Ousmane Sémou, "Diversité et unicité sérères: l'exemple de la région de Thiès", Éthiopiques, no. 54, vol. 7, 2e semestre 1991 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630093306/http://ethiopiques.refer.sn/spip.php?page=imprimer-article&id_article=1253|date=2020-06-30}}</ref> | |||
=={{anchor|Use as a term of abuse}}Use as a term of abuse== | |||
The term "polytheist" is sometimes used by ] Muslim extremist groups such as ] (ISIL) as a ] reference to ] Muslims, whom they view as having "strayed from Islam's monotheistic creed because of the reverence they show for historical figures, like ]".<ref name=NYT2018-01-17a>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/world/middleeast/iraq-baghdad-isis-bombing.html|title=ISIS Claims Responsibility for Baghdad Bombings|last1=Callimachi|first1=Rukmini|date=2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-21|last2=Coker|first2=Margaret|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|quote=The second refers to the group's view that Shiites have strayed from Islam's monotheistic creed because of the reverence they show for historical figures, like Imam Ali.}}</ref> | |||
Professor ], an opponent of ] , viewed America as a "most polytheistic nation".<ref name="Institute 2013 p. 58">{{cite book | last=Institute | first=T.P. | title=Newman and the Intellectual Tradition: Portsmouth Review | publisher=Sheed & Ward | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-58051-249-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qozPQqiGLxEC&pg=PA58 | access-date=2023-05-03 | page=58}}</ref> | |||
==Polydeism<!--'Polydeism' redirects here-->== | |||
{{Deism sidebar |expanded=movements}} | |||
'''Polydeism'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> (from the ] πολύ ''poly'' ("many") and ] '']'' meaning god) is a ] referencing a polytheistic form of ], encompassing the belief that the ] was the collective creation of multiple ]s, each of whom created a piece of the universe or ] and then ceased to intervene in its evolution. This concept addresses an apparent contradiction in deism, that a monotheistic God created the universe, but now expresses no apparent interest in it, by supposing that if the universe is the construct of many gods, none of them would have an interest in the universe as a whole. | |||
] Philosophy professor ],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://puffin.creighton.edu/phil/Bill.htm |title=Article on "Bill" Stephens |access-date=2018-07-07 |archive-date=2016-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129102418/http://puffin.creighton.edu/phil/Bill.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> who has taught this concept, suggests that ] projected this concept<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://puffin.creighton.edu/phil/Stephens/phl-323-Spr05-Revu-Q-4.htm |title=article on C. D. Broad's concept projection |access-date=2018-07-07 |archive-date=2006-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621180119/http://puffin.creighton.edu/phil/Stephens/phl-323-Spr05-Revu-Q-4.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> in Broad's 1925 article, "The Validity of Belief in a Personal God".<ref>C. D. Broad, "The Validity of Belief in a Personal God", reprinted in C. D. Broad, ''Religion, Philosophy and Psychical Research'', (1953), 159–174.</ref> Broad noted that the arguments for the ] only tend to prove that "a designing mind ''had'' existed in the past, not that it ''does'' exist now. It is quite compatible with this argument that God should have died long ago, or that he should have turned his attention to other parts of the Universe", and notes in the same breath that "there is nothing in the facts to suggest that there is only one such being".<ref>Id. at 171.</ref> Stephens contends that Broad, in turn, derived the concept from ]. Stephens states: | |||
{{Blockquote|David Hume's criticisms of the ] include the argument that, for all we know, a committee of very powerful, but not omnipotent, divine beings could have collaborated in creating the world, but then afterwards left it alone or even ceased to exist. This would be polydeism.}} | |||
This use of the term appears to originate at least as early as ]'s 1997 essay, ''Apologetics from Genesis to Revelation''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlantaapologist.org/GenesisToRevelation.PDF |title=Apologetics – From Genesis to Revelation |access-date=2018-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831025947/http://www.atlantaapologist.org/GenesisToRevelation.PDF |archive-date=2006-08-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bowman wrote: | |||
{{Blockquote|] (illustrated by the ]), represented today by ], ], and deism. The materialist may acknowledge superior beings, but they do not believe in a Supreme Being. Epicureanism was founded about 300 BC by ]. Their world view might be called "polydeism:" there are many gods, but they are merely superhuman beings; they are remote, uninvolved in the world, posing no threat and offering no hope to human beings. Epicureans regarded traditional religion and ] as harmless enough as long as the gods were not feared or expected to do or say anything.}} | |||
Sociologist ] used the term in her 1994 book, ''Priestess, Mother, Sacred Sister: Religions Dominated by Women'', which includes a chapter titled, "No Father in Heaven: Androgyny and Polydeism". She writes that she has "chosen to gloss on 'polydeism' a range of beliefs in more than one supernatural entity".<ref name="Sered">], ''Priestess, Mother, Sacred Sister: Religions Dominated by Women'' (1994), p. 169.</ref> Sered used this term in a way that would encompass polytheism, rather than exclude much of it, as she intended to capture both polytheistic systems and nontheistic systems that assert the influence of "spirits or ancestors".<ref name="Sered"/> This use of the term, however, does not accord with the historical misuse of ''deism'' as a concept to describe an absent ]. | |||
== See also == | |||
{{Portal|Mythology|Religion}} | |||
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* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
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* ] | |||
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* ] | |||
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==References== | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
* Assmann, Jan, 'Monotheism and Polytheism' in: Sarah Iles Johnston (ed.), ''Religions of the Ancient World: A Guide'', Harvard University Press (2004), {{ISBN|0-674-01517-7}}, pp. 17–31. | |||
* ], ''Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical'', Blackwell (1985), {{ISBN|0-631-15624-0}}. <!-- esp. ch. V, pp. 216–275--> | |||
* Greer, John Michael; ''A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry Into Polytheism'', ADF Publishing (2005), {{ISBN|0-9765681-0-1}} | |||
* Iles Johnston, Sarah; ''Ancient Religions'', Belknap Press (September 15, 2007), {{ISBN|0-674-02548-2}} | |||
* Paper, Jordan; ''The Deities are Many: A Polytheistic Theology'', State University of New York Press (March 3, 2005), {{ISBN|978-0-7914-6387-1}} | |||
* Penchansky, David, ''Twilight of the Gods: Polytheism in the Hebrew Bible'' (2005), {{ISBN|0-664-22885-2}}. | |||
* Swarup, Ram, & Frawley, David (2001). ''The word as revelation: Names of gods''. New Delhi: Voice of India. {{ISBN|978-8185990682}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
{{Wiktionary}} | |||
* {{Commons category-inline}} | |||
* – APT, a UK-based community of Polytheists (archived 9 September 2015) | |||
* Philosophical project promoting polytheism by group ] (archived 7 September 2015) | |||
* (archived 8 September 2008) | |||
{{Theism}} | |||
{{Paganism}} | |||
{{Philosophy topics}} | |||
{{Philosophy of religion}} | |||
{{Theology}} | |||
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Polytheism is the belief in or worship of more than one god. According to Oxford Reference, it is not easy to count gods, and so not always obvious whether an apparently polytheistic religion, such as Chinese Folk Religions, is really so, or whether the apparent different objects of worship are to be thought of as manifestations of a singular divinity. Polytheistic belief is usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own religious sects and rituals. Polytheism is a type of theism. Within theism, it contrasts with monotheism, the belief in a singular God who is, in most cases, transcendent.
In religions that accept polytheism, the different gods and goddesses may be representations of forces of nature or ancestral principles; they can be viewed either as autonomous or as aspects or emanations of a creator deity or transcendental absolute principle (monistic theologies), which manifests immanently in nature (panentheistic and pantheistic theologies). Polytheists do not always worship all the gods equally; they can be in monolatrists or kathenotheists, specializing in the worship of one particular deity only or at certain times (respectively).
The recognition of the existence of multiple gods and goddesses does not necessarily equate to the worship of all the deities of one or more pantheons, as the believer can either worship them as a whole, or concentrate only on a specific group of deities, determined by various conditions such as the believer's occupation, tastes, personal experience, family tradition, etc. It is also possible to worship a single deity, considered supreme, without ruling out the existence of other gods. This religious position has been called henotheism, but some prefer to call it monolatry. Although the term "henotheism" is controversial, it is recognized by scholars that the worship of a single God accompanied by belief in other deities maintains the principle of polytheism.
Polytheism was the typical form of religion before the development and spread of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which enforce monotheism. It is well documented throughout history, from prehistory and the earliest records of ancient Egyptian religion and ancient Mesopotamian religion to the religions prevalent during Classical antiquity, such as ancient Greek religion and ancient Roman religion, and in ethnic religions such as Germanic, Slavic, and Baltic paganism and Native American religions. Notable polytheistic religions practiced today include Taoism, Hellenism (modern religion), Shenism or Chinese folk religion, many schools of Hinduism, Shinto, Santería, most Traditional African religions, and various neopagan faiths such as Wicca.
Hinduism, while popularly held as polytheistic by many scholars, cannot be exclusively categorised as such as some Hindus consider themselves to be pantheists, panentheists, henotheist, polymorphist, monotheists or monist. Hinduism does not have a single book, Hinduism is an umbrella term for a collection of ideologies. They are compatible with Hindu texts, since there exists no consensus of standardisation in the faith. Vedanta, the most dominant school of Hinduism, offers a combination of pantheism/panentheism and polytheism, holding that Brahman is the sole ultimate reality of the universe, yet unity with it can be reached by worshipping the innumerable deities that represent the Supreme Absolute Truth. Hindus who practice Bhakti ultimately believe in one God, who is known variously as Paramatman, Parabrahman, Bhagavan, Ishvara, and so on, that transcends all categories (e.g. both of form and formless), however the common people who remain unaware of these concepts worship their deities as ultimate god. Different regions can have their own local deities whose worship is restricted to that region. Bramhan is personification of the concept of Moksha and the different gods are paths to moksha or realising the Brahman.
Terminology
The term comes from the Greek πολύ poly ("many") and θεός theos ("god") and was coined by the Jewish writer Philo of Alexandria to argue with the Greeks. When Christianity spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, non-Christians were just called Gentiles (a term originally used by Jews to refer to non-Jews) or pagans (locals) or by the clearly pejorative term idolaters (worshippers of "false" gods). In modern times, the term polytheism was first revived in French by Jean Bodin in 1580, followed by Samuel Purchas's usage in English in 1614.
Soft versus hard
See also: Interpretatio graecaA major division in modern polytheistic practices is between so-called soft polytheism and hard polytheism.
"Soft" polytheism is the belief that different gods may either be psychological archetypes, personifications of natural forces, or as being one essential god interpreted through the lenses of different cultures (e.g. Odin, Zeus, and Indra all being the same god as interpreted by Germanic, Greek, and Indic peoples respectively) – known as omnitheism. In this way, gods may be interchangeable for one another across cultures.
"Hard" polytheism is the belief that gods are distinct, separate, real divine beings, rather than psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one essential god" and may also reject the existence of gods outside their own pantheon altogether.
Gods and divinity
The deities of polytheism are often portrayed as complex personages of greater or lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires and histories, in many ways similar to humans (anthropomorphic) in their personality traits, but with additional individual powers, abilities, knowledge or perceptions. Polytheism cannot be cleanly separated from the animist beliefs prevalent in most folk religions. The gods of polytheism are in many cases the highest order of a continuum of supernatural beings or spirits, which may include ancestors, demons, wights, and others. In some cases these spirits are divided into celestial or chthonic classes, and belief in the existence of all these beings does not imply that all are worshipped.
Types of deities
Further information: List of deitiesTypes of deities often found in polytheism may include:
- Creator deity
- Culture hero
- Death deity (chthonic)
- Life-death-rebirth deity
- Love deity
- Mother goddess
- Political deity (such as a king or emperor)
- Sky deity (celestial)
- Solar deity
- Trickster deity
- Water deity
- Lunar deity
- Deities of music, arts, science, farming, or other endeavors
Religion and mythology
Main article: Religion and mythologyIn the Classical era, 4th century CE Neoplatonist Sallustius categorized mythology into five types:
- Theological: myths that contemplate the essence of the gods, such as Cronus swallowing his children, which Sallustius regarded as expressing in allegory the essence of divinity
- Physical: expressing the activities of gods in the world
- Psychological: myths as allegories of the activities of the soul itself or the soul's acts of thought
- Material: regarding material objects as gods, for example: to call the earth Gaia, the ocean Okeanos, or heat Typhon
- Mixed
The beliefs of many historical polytheistic religions are commonly referred to as "mythology", though the stories cultures tell about their gods should be distinguished from their worship or religious practice. For instance, deities portrayed in conflict in mythology were often nonetheless worshipped side by side, illustrating the distinction within the religion between belief and practice. Scholars such as Jaan Puhvel, J. P. Mallory, and Douglas Q. Adams have reconstructed aspects of the ancient Proto-Indo-European religion from which the religions of the various Indo-European peoples are thought to derive, which is believed to have been an essentially naturalist numenistic religion. An example of a religious notion from this shared past is the concept of *dyēus, which is attested in several religious systems of Indo-European-speaking peoples.
Ancient and historical religions
Well-known historical polytheistic pantheons include the Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the pantheon attested in Classical Antiquity (in ancient Greek and Roman religion), the Norse Æsir and Vanir, the Yoruba Orisha, and the Aztec gods.
In many civilizations, pantheons tended to grow over time. Deities first worshipped as the patrons of cities or other places came to be collected together as empires extended over larger territories. Conquests could lead to the subordination of a culture's pantheon to that of the invaders, as in the Greek Titanomachia, and possibly also the Æsir–Vanir war in the Norse mythos. Cultural exchange could lead to "the same" deity being revered in two places under different names, as seen with the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans, and also to the cultural transmission of elements of an extraneous religion, as with the ancient Egyptian deity Osiris, who was later worshipped in ancient Greece.
Most ancient belief systems held that gods influenced human lives. However, the Greek philosopher Epicurus held that the gods were incorruptible but material, blissful beings who inhabited the empty spaces between worlds and did not trouble themselves with the affairs of mortals, but could be perceived by the mind, especially during sleep.
Ancient Greece
Main article: Religion in ancient GreeceThe classical scheme in Ancient Greece of the Twelve Olympians (the Canonical Twelve of art and poetry) were: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Ares, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Hestia. Though it is suggested that Hestia stepped down when Dionysus was invited to Mount Olympus, this is a matter of controversy. Robert Graves' The Greek Myths cites two sources that obviously do not suggest Hestia surrendered her seat, though he suggests she did. Hades was often excluded because he dwelt in the underworld. All of the gods had a power. There was, however, a great deal of fluidity as to whom was counted among their number in antiquity. Different cities often worshipped the same deities, sometimes with epithets that distinguished them and specified their local nature.
Hellenic Polytheism extended beyond mainland Greece, to the islands and coasts of Ionia in Asia Minor, to Magna Graecia (Sicily and southern Italy), and to scattered Greek colonies in the Western Mediterranean, such as Massalia (Marseille). Greek religion tempered Etruscan cult and belief to form much of the later Roman religion. During the Hellenistic Era, philosophical schools like Epicureanism developed distinct theologies. Hellenism is, in practice, primarily centered around polytheistic and animistic worship.
Folk religions
Main article: Folk religion Further information: Saint, Angel, Folk Catholicism, and ShamanismThe majority of so-called "folk religions" in the world today (distinguished from traditional ethnic religions) are found in the Asia-Pacific region. This fact conforms to the trend of the majority of polytheist religions being found outside the western world.
Folk religions are often closely tied to animism. Animistic beliefs are found in historical and modern cultures. Folk beliefs are often labeled superstitions when they are present in monotheistic societies. Folk religions often do not have organized authorities, also known as priesthoods, or any formal sacred texts. They often coincide with other religions as well. Abrahamic monotheistic religions, which dominate the western world, typically do not approve of practicing parts of multiple religions, but folk religions often overlap with others. Followers of polytheistic religions do not often problematize following practices and beliefs from multiple religions.
Modern religions
Further information: Theology, Pantheon (gods), Euhemerism, Interpretatio graeca, Demigod, and ApotheosisBuddhism
Further information: God in Buddhism, Deva (Buddhism), and Nontheism § BuddhismDepending on the tradition practiced, Buddhism may be seen as polytheistic as it at least acknowledges the existence of multiple gods. The Buddha is a leader figure but is not meant to be worshipped as a god. Devas, a Sanskrit word for gods, are also not meant to be worshipped. They are not immortal and have limited powers. A Deva may have been human with positive karma in previous lives and was reborn as a Deva. A common Buddhist practice is tantra: the use of rituals to achieve enlightenment. Tantra focuses on seeing oneself as a deity and the use of deities as symbols rather than supernatural agents. Buddhism is most closely aligned with polytheism when it is linked with other religions, often folk religions. For example, the Japanese Shinto religion, in which deities called kami are worshipped, is sometimes syncretized with Buddhism.
Christianity
See also: God in Christianity and TrinityAlthough Christianity is usually described as monotheistic, it is sometimes claimed that the doctrine of the Trinity, upheld by most Christian traditions since the religion's conception, precludes pure monotheism. The doctrine posits that God consists of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Because the deity is three distinct persons, some believe Christianity should be considered a form of tritheism, a form of polytheism. Christianity contends that "one God exists in Three Persons and One Substance," but that the deity cannot be a unitary person with an individual identity. Christianity inherited the idea of "one God" from Judaism and maintains that its monotheistic doctrine is central to the faith.
Jordan Paper, a Western scholar and self-described polytheist, considers polytheism the normal state of human culture. He argues that "Even the Catholic Church shows polytheistic aspects with the 'veneration' of the saints." On the other hand, he asserts, monotheistic missionaries and scholars were eager to see a proto-monotheism or at least henotheism in polytheistic religions, for example, when taking from the Chinese pair of Sky and Earth only one part and calling it the King of Heaven, as Matteo Ricci did. In 1508, a London Lollard named William Pottier was accused of believing in six gods.
Mormonism
Further information: God in MormonismJoseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, believed in "the plurality of Gods", saying, "I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods." Mormonism, which emerged from Protestantism, teaches exaltation, which is defined as the hypothesis that people can, in all ways, become like God in the afterlife. Mormonism also affirms the existence of a Heavenly Mother, and the prevailing view among Mormons is that God the Father was once a man who lived on a planet with his own higher God, and became perfect after following this higher God. Some critics of Mormonism argue that statements in the Book of Mormon describe a trinitarian conception of God (e.g. 2 Nephi 31:21; Alma 11:44), but were superseded by later revelations. Due to teachings within Mormon cosmology, some theologians claim that it allows for an infinite number of gods.
Mormon theology posits that scriptural statements on the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost represent a unity of purpose, not substance. They believe that the early Christian Church did not characterize divinity in terms of an immaterial, formless, shared substance until post-apostolic theologians began to incorporate Greek metaphysical philosophies (such as Neoplatonism) into Christian doctrine. Mormons believe that the truth about God's nature was restored through modern-day revelation, which reinstated the original Judeo-Christian concept of a natural, corporeal, immortal God, who is the literal father of the spirits of humans. It is to this personage alone that Mormons pray, as he is and always will be their Heavenly Father, the supreme "God of gods" (Deuteronomy 10:17). In the sense that Mormons worship only God the Father, they consider themselves monotheists. Nevertheless, Mormons adhere to Jesus's teaching that those who receive God’s Word can obtain the title of "gods" (John 10:33–36) because, as literal children of God, they can take upon themselves his divine attributes. Mormons teach that "The glory of God is intelligence" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36), and that it is by sharing the Father's perfect comprehension of all things that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are also divine.
Hinduism
Further information: Hindu views on monotheismHinduism is neither a monolithic religion nor an organized religion: a wide variety of religious traditions and practices are grouped under this umbrella term, and some modern scholars have questioned the legitimacy of unifying them artificially and suggest that one should speak of "Hinduisms" in the plural. Theistic Hinduism encompasses both monotheistic and polytheistic tendencies and variations on or mixes of both structures.
Hindus venerate deities in the form of the pratima, or idol. The Puja (worship) of the pratima is like a way to communicate with the formless, abstract divinity (Brahman in Hinduism) which creates, sustains and dissolves creation. However, some sects have advocated that there is no need to give a shape to God and that it is omnipresent and beyond what humans can see or feel tangibly. These gods were not worshipped without a proper consecration ritual. It was believed that after the consecration ritual, the idol no longer remained as stone or metal and attained a temporary or permanent state of divinity.
Some Hindu philosophers and theologians argue for a transcendent metaphysical structure with a single divine essence. This divine essence is usually referred to as Brahman or Atman, but the understanding of the nature of this absolute divine essence is the line which defines many Hindu philosophical traditions such as Vedanta.
Among lay Hindus, some believe in different deities emanating from Brahman, while others practice more traditional polytheism and henotheism. These practices focus worship on one or more personal deities while granting the existence of others.
Academically speaking, the ancient Vedic scriptures, upon which Hinduism is derived, describe four authorized disciplic lines of teaching coming down over thousands of years. (Padma Purana). Four propound that the Absolute Truth is Fully Personal, as in Judeo-Christian theology. They say that the Primal Original God is Personal, both transcendent and immanent throughout creation. He can be and is often approached through worship of Prathimas, called "Archa-Vigraha", described in the Vedas as identical to his various dynamic, spiritual Forms. This is the Vaisnava theology.
The fifth disciplic line of Vedic spirituality, founded by Adi Shankaracharya, promotes the concept that the Absolute is Brahman, without clear differentiations, will, thought, or intelligence.
In the Smarta denomination of Hinduism, the philosophy of Advaita expounded by Shankara allows veneration of numerous deities with the understanding that all of them are but manifestations of one impersonal divine power, Brahman. Therefore, according to various schools of Vedanta including Shankara, which is the most influential and important Hindu theological tradition, there are a great number of deities in Hinduism, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Kali, Parvati, Durga, Rama, Krishna but they are essentially different forms of the same "Being". However, many Vedantic philosophers also argue that the same impersonal, divine power united all individuals in the form of the Atman.
Many other Hindus, however, view polytheism as far preferable to monotheism. Ram Swarup, for example, points to the Vedas as being specifically polytheistic, and states that, "only some form of polytheism alone can do justice to this variety and richness."
Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of non-Eternity, origin of universe):
There was neither non-existence nor existence then;
Neither the realm of space, nor the sky which is beyond;
What stirred? Where? In whose protection?
There was neither death nor immortality then;
No distinguishing sign of night nor of day;
That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse;
Other than that there was nothing beyond.
Darkness there was at first, by darkness hidden;
Without distinctive marks, this all was water;
That which, becoming, by the void was covered;
That One by force of heat came into being;
Who really knows? Who will here proclaim it?
Whence was it produced? Whence is this creation?
Gods came afterwards, with the creation of this universe.
Who then knows whence it has arisen?
Whether God's will created it, or whether He was mute;
Perhaps it formed itself, or perhaps it did not;
The Supreme Brahman of the world, all pervasive and all knowing
He indeed knows, if not, no one knows
-Rig Veda 10.129 (Abridged, Tr: Kramer / Christian)
Some Hindus construe this notion of polytheism in the sense of polymorphism—one God with many forms or names. The Rig Veda, the primary Hindu scripture, elucidates this as follows:
They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged Garutman. To what is One, sages give many a title they call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan. Book I, Hymn 164, Verse 46 Rigveda
Zoroastrianism
See also: Criticism of Zoroastrianism § PolytheismAhura Mazda is the supreme god, but Zoroastrianism does not deny other deities. Ahura Mazda has yazatas ("good agents"), some of which include Anahita, Sraosha, Mithra, Rashnu, and Tishtrya. Richard Foltz has put forth evidence that Iranians of Pre-Islamic era worshiped all these figures, especially Mithra and Anahita.
Prods Oktor Skjærvø states Zoroastrianism is henotheistic and "a dualistic and polytheistic religion, but with one supreme god, who is the father of the ordered cosmos". Other scholars state that this is unclear, because historic texts present a conflicting picture, ranging from Zoroastrianism's belief in "one god, two gods, or a best god henotheism".
Tengrism
See also: Turkic mythology, Mongol mythology, and Mongolian shamanismThe nature of Tengrism remains debatable. According to many scholars, Tengrism was originally polytheistic, but a monotheistic branch with the sky god Kök-Tengri as the supreme being evolved as a dynastical legitimation. It is at least agreed that Tengrism formed from the diverse folk religions of the local people and may have had diverse branches.
It is suggested that Tengrism was a monotheistic religion only at the imperial level in aristocratic circles, and, perhaps, only by the 12th–13th centuries (a late form of development of ancient animistic shamanism in the era of the Mongol empire).
According to Jean-Paul Roux, the monotheistic concept evolved from a polytheistic system and was not the original form of Tengrism. The monotheistic concept helped to legitimate the rule of the dynasty: "As there is only one God in Heaven, there can only be one ruler on the earth ...".
Others point out that Tengri itself was never an Absolute, but only one of many gods of the upper world, the sky deity, of polytheistic shamanism, later known as Tengrism.
The term also describes several contemporary Turko-Mongolic native religious movements and teachings. All modern adherents of "political" Tengrism are monotheists.
Modern Paganism
Modern Paganism, also known as neopaganism and contemporary paganism, is a group of contemporary religious movements influenced by or claiming to be derived from the various historical pagan beliefs of pre-modern Europe. Although they have commonalities, contemporary pagan religious movements are diverse, and no single set of beliefs, practices, or texts are shared by them all.
Founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner helped to revive ancient polytheism. English occultist Dion Fortune was a major populiser of soft polytheism. In her novel The Sea Priestess, she wrote, "All gods are one god, and all goddesses are one goddess, and there is one initiator."
Reconstructionism
Main article: Polytheistic reconstructionismReconstructionist polytheists apply scholarly disciplines such as history, archaeology, and language study to revive ancient, traditional religions that have been fragmented, damaged, or even destroyed, such as Norse Paganism, Roman and Celtic. A reconstructionist endeavors to revive and reconstruct an authentic practice based on the ancestors' ways but workable in contemporary life. These polytheists sharply differ from neopagans in that they consider their religion not only as inspired by historical religions but, in many cases, as a continuation or revival of those religions.
Wicca
Main article: WiccaWicca is a duotheistic faith created by Gerald Gardner that allows for polytheism. Wiccans specifically worship the Lord and Lady of the Isles (their names are oathbound). It is an orthopraxic mystery religion that requires initiation to the priesthood to consider oneself Wiccan. Wicca emphasizes duality and the cycle of nature.
Serer
Main articles: Serer religion, Timeline of Serer history, and States headed by ancient Serer LamanesIn Africa, polytheism in Serer religion dates to the Neolithic Era or possibly earlier, when the ancient ancestors of the Serer people represented their Pangool on the Tassili n'Ajjer. The supreme creator deity in the Serer religion is Roog. However, there are many deities and Pangool (singular: Fangool, the interceders with the divine) in the Serer religion. Each has its own purpose and serves as Roog's agent on Earth. Amongst the Cangin speakers, a sub-group of the Serers, Roog is known as Koox.
Use as a term of abuse
The term "polytheist" is sometimes used by Sunni Muslim extremist groups such as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as a derogatory reference to Shiite Muslims, whom they view as having "strayed from Islam's monotheistic creed because of the reverence they show for historical figures, like Imam Ali".
Professor Paul Vitz, an opponent of Selfism , viewed America as a "most polytheistic nation".
Polydeism
Polydeism (from the Greek πολύ poly ("many") and Latin deus meaning god) is a portmanteau referencing a polytheistic form of deism, encompassing the belief that the universe was the collective creation of multiple gods, each of whom created a piece of the universe or multiverse and then ceased to intervene in its evolution. This concept addresses an apparent contradiction in deism, that a monotheistic God created the universe, but now expresses no apparent interest in it, by supposing that if the universe is the construct of many gods, none of them would have an interest in the universe as a whole.
Creighton University Philosophy professor William O. Stephens, who has taught this concept, suggests that C. D. Broad projected this concept in Broad's 1925 article, "The Validity of Belief in a Personal God". Broad noted that the arguments for the existence of God only tend to prove that "a designing mind had existed in the past, not that it does exist now. It is quite compatible with this argument that God should have died long ago, or that he should have turned his attention to other parts of the Universe", and notes in the same breath that "there is nothing in the facts to suggest that there is only one such being". Stephens contends that Broad, in turn, derived the concept from David Hume. Stephens states:
David Hume's criticisms of the argument from design include the argument that, for all we know, a committee of very powerful, but not omnipotent, divine beings could have collaborated in creating the world, but then afterwards left it alone or even ceased to exist. This would be polydeism.
This use of the term appears to originate at least as early as Robert M. Bowman Jr.'s 1997 essay, Apologetics from Genesis to Revelation. Bowman wrote:
Materialism (illustrated by the Epicureans), represented today by atheism, skepticism, and deism. The materialist may acknowledge superior beings, but they do not believe in a Supreme Being. Epicureanism was founded about 300 BC by Epicurus. Their world view might be called "polydeism:" there are many gods, but they are merely superhuman beings; they are remote, uninvolved in the world, posing no threat and offering no hope to human beings. Epicureans regarded traditional religion and idolatry as harmless enough as long as the gods were not feared or expected to do or say anything.
Sociologist Susan Starr Sered used the term in her 1994 book, Priestess, Mother, Sacred Sister: Religions Dominated by Women, which includes a chapter titled, "No Father in Heaven: Androgyny and Polydeism". She writes that she has "chosen to gloss on 'polydeism' a range of beliefs in more than one supernatural entity". Sered used this term in a way that would encompass polytheism, rather than exclude much of it, as she intended to capture both polytheistic systems and nontheistic systems that assert the influence of "spirits or ancestors". This use of the term, however, does not accord with the historical misuse of deism as a concept to describe an absent creator god.
See also
- Animism
- Ethnic religion
- Hellenismos
- Henotheism
- Judgement of Paris
- Kathenotheism
- Monolatry
- Panentheism
- Pantheism
- Polytheistic reconstructionism
- Shirk (polytheism)
- West African Vodun
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Further reading
- Assmann, Jan, 'Monotheism and Polytheism' in: Sarah Iles Johnston (ed.), Religions of the Ancient World: A Guide, Harvard University Press (2004), ISBN 0-674-01517-7, pp. 17–31.
- Burkert, Walter, Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical, Blackwell (1985), ISBN 0-631-15624-0.
- Greer, John Michael; A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry Into Polytheism, ADF Publishing (2005), ISBN 0-9765681-0-1
- Iles Johnston, Sarah; Ancient Religions, Belknap Press (September 15, 2007), ISBN 0-674-02548-2
- Paper, Jordan; The Deities are Many: A Polytheistic Theology, State University of New York Press (March 3, 2005), ISBN 978-0-7914-6387-1
- Penchansky, David, Twilight of the Gods: Polytheism in the Hebrew Bible (2005), ISBN 0-664-22885-2.
- Swarup, Ram, & Frawley, David (2001). The word as revelation: Names of gods. New Delhi: Voice of India. ISBN 978-8185990682
External links
- Media related to Polytheism at Wikimedia Commons
- The Association of Polytheist Traditions – APT, a UK-based community of Polytheists (archived 9 September 2015)
- International Year Of Polytheism Philosophical project promoting polytheism by group monochrom (archived 7 September 2015)
- Integrational Polytheism (archived 8 September 2008)
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