How does monotheism differ from polytheism? (ritual, tradition, contradiction, beliefs)

[mohamedhassan]

Originally Posted by lilithu

The prophet was Elijah. And the contest was between the Yahweh, the God of Abraham and the Israelites, and Baal, the god of the Caananites.

It also explains why God is a jealous god, doesn't it? Hard to be jealous if you're the only god. Basically, Yahweh picked Abraham and said, "You. I need followers - all those other gods have followers - and you are going to be the one I stake my fortunes on. Promise to worship only me, circumcize yourself and all the males in your household as a sign of your allegiance - and in return I will give you as many descendants are there are stars in the sky."

Of course, it's hard to reconcile this god with the one who created heaven and earth in Genesis I.

Is this what your religion teaches you?? thats ubsrud! how can a prophet of god worship other gods while still recieving revelation from him??? completly absurd. In islam we believe that prophet (though they do make mistakes) don't worship gods other then god!! i mean if they, the ones recieving revelation did this then we would have an excuse. and wuts this jelous god buisness?? God doesn't get jelous why would he? you don't worship him you go to hell period. he doesn't need worship lol that really is wierd man read about islam!!!

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by mohamedhassan

Is this what your religion teaches you?? thats ubsrud! how can a prophet of god worship other gods while still recieving revelation from him??? completly absurd. In islam we believe that prophet (though they do make mistakes) don't worship gods other then god!! i mean if they, the ones recieving revelation did this then we would have an excuse. and wuts this jelous god buisness?? God doesn't get jelous why would he? you don't worship him you go to hell period. he doesn't need worship lol that really is wierd man read about islam!!!

Umm.... no, that's not what my religion teaches me. My religion allows me to think for myself. And I was just having some fun with my friend des, regarding the text. And in the Hebrew scriptures, it does say that God is jealous. (Of course one can interpret that in many ways.)

As for Islam, I have read about it. There are some beautiful things about it. But interestingly enough, your little proselytizing rant doesn't inspire me to convert.

[des]

Uh, though I think Bible scholars say that Genesis One is rather later on than that event? Whoever wrote that appears to be a true monotheist.
As I recall they even use a little different wording than Gen.2 (which is earier actually). In Gen. 2, God is "Lord God" and also clearly a physical being. Whereas in Gen1, God is clearly not physical. Moses also comfronts
God in what appears to be partly physical ways, i.e. the burning bush. God isn't walking like a human but God has some physicality. Gen. 1 doesn't describe any way that God creates that could be construed as physical.
He does it and it was so (of course he "said" so maybe that's not entirely true.)

Yes, several times god is described as a jealous God. Makes no sense
at all if HE is IT!! Yahweh is better than other gods, not the one and only--
at least until later.

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

The prophet was Elijah. And the contest was between the Yahweh, the God of Abraham and the Israelites, and Baal, the god of the Caananites.

It also explains why God is a jealous god, doesn't it? Hard to be jealous if you're the only god. Basically, Yahweh picked Abraham and said, "You. I
...
Of course, it's hard to reconcile this god with the one who created heaven and earth in Genesis I.

[jamaesi]

The answer may seem obvious at first--polytheists believe in more than one God, and monotheists believe in only one God. But I think that on another level the answer isn't nearly so cut-and-dried.

Consider the concept of "God" in some classic polytheistic systems--say, for example, the ancient Greek Pantheon. The gods were little different than mortals--more powerful, to be sure, but quite limited in power. Yes, they are spiritual beings--but they are not considered omnipresent, omnipotent or omniscient.

This is a totally different concept of "God" then the "big three" Monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). God is generally believed in these faiths to be all-powerful and of a different order of being than the Greek Gods.

However, even in these monotheistic faiths, there are other spiritual beings who are very similar to the Greek Gods--angels or genii. Angels are not all-powerful, but more powerful than mortals, they are spiritual, and they are immortal.

Would it be more accurate to call the classic polytheistic systems as atheistic, because there is no overall supreme being? Or perhaps call monotheism as henotheism (acknowledging other spiritual beings but only worshipping one)?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm not very good at these philosophical posts, but I'll input one of my opinions- it's not a mainstream Islamic or even an Islamic thought as far as I know, but it is mine and how I reconcile there existing "other G-ds" than my own.

I believe in one G-d. I also believe that only one G-d exists. I'll explain this.

Now, I don't think this in a way that means that if someone does not believe in the Abrahamic G-d then they don't believe in G-d at all and are just some heathen. When I hear about different G-ds I always sort of see them as being facets of the one G-d. I know G-d and religion have been revealed and developed in many many many ways through the times all over the world- I believe all religions worship the same one G-d, just in different ways.

So I guess to answer your question, all theists are monotheists in my opinion.

I mean this in the kindest way. To those who believe that there are seperate individual G-ds, then I respect and encourage them. This is only how I see things from my understanding. Now it comes back to my belief that we're all going to the same place, just taking different roads.

As for Islam, I have read about it. There are some beautiful things about it. But interestingly enough, your little proselytizing rant doesn't inspire me to convert.

That's what attracts me to Islam and keeps me Muslim. It's a beautiful religion.


... But when I hear things like this it makes me want to convert.

Not in my name, not in my religion's name should anyone take that post.

[soulreaver23]

For anyone interested, a certified soul, sealed in blood, is available for sale. Post reply if interested.

[Pete2007]

i think when interpreting the difference between monotheism and polytheism you have to be careful what you actually interpret as 'God'. For instance if you interpret God as omnipresent, then is it possible for another God to exist?
The subject is so deep that contradictions are inevitable.

As for Islam whilst reading Sam Harris' 'The End of Faith' i was suprised to hear that the Qu'ran encourages death to non-believers or 'infidels', this is probably selective reading on Sam Harris' part however i would not suggest any religion to be beautiful particularly in a time when most religions are rearing their ugly head.