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Monotheism > Polytheism

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?

The ability to have more control what larger groups of people believe is right.
Whomever claims and it is accept that has the authority to speak for the only God can dictate right behavior for the masses. If people can choose among multiple Gods then folks can choose the God whose behavior requirements they individually prefer.
 

Riders

Well-Known Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?

It is not superior at all what religion you are ind does not matter in my mind, I am a Universalist.
However I did change from being a Pagan to a One God creator God person. But and I am interested in Judaism.

However I did not do it because its right. I was studying different God and Godesses at my old UU church. They were in the Verity system so I tried to stay with it. But I also wanted to study the Egyptian Gods and Godesses because I was interested in and also interested in Heathen Gods and Godesses because my ancestors were Heathen.

So I could not figure out how I wanted to go with it. There are so many things involved with it including the tarot card and Astrology. I'm still interested Astrology and Tarot.

Other arts crystal ball reading all sorts of stuff that goes with it. Just having all those possibilities with it, layer on layer, I spoke to my recovery sponsor about who should be my higher power. I agreed it would be less confusing and easier for me to serve one God.

Now I have also thought about serving Brahma too, who is Hindu but a one God system. But for now I worship one God but sometimes I use different names for him . So I am still very universalism my thinking but worship one God.

Some of my Christian relatives think its great I got away from the Pagans, they think God did it. Well I have not nor will I ever renounce Paganism. I think its a fine religion for those brought up in it and those who are stable while practicing it and like the Different Gods and Godesses.

Actually most people don't know this. I do practice Zen meditation which comes from a different religion Buddhism which also has a Pagan branch of Gods and Godesses. I don;t go by it but when I meditate I have a oneness with nature still so I feel very much the connection with nature,,,,,,,so somewhat still nature based I guess.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
It is not superior at all what religion you are ind does not matter in my mind, I am a Universalist.
However I did change from being a Pagan to a One God creator God person. But and I am interested in Judaism.

However I did not do it because its right. I was studying different God and Godesses at my old UU church. They were in the Verity system so I tried to stay with it. But I also wanted to study the Egyptian Gods and Godesses because I was interested in and also interested in Heathen Gods and Godesses because my ancestors were Heathen.

So I could not figure out how I wanted to go with it. There are so many things involved with it including the tarot card and Astrology. I'm still interested Astrology and Tarot.

Other arts crystal ball reading all sorts of stuff that goes with it. Just having all those possibilities with it, layer on layer, I spoke to my recovery sponsor about who should be my higher power. I agreed it would be less confusing and easier for me to serve one God.

Now I have also thought about serving Brahma too, who is Hindu but a one God system. But for now I worship one God but sometimes I use different names for him . So I am still very universalism my thinking but worship one God.

Some of my Christian relatives think its great I got away from the Pagans, they think God did it. Well I have not nor will I ever renounce Paganism. I think its a fine religion for those brought up in it and those who are stable while practicing it and like the Different Gods and Godesses.

Actually most people don't know this. I do practice Zen meditation which comes from a different religion Buddhism which also has a Pagan branch of Gods and Godesses. I don;t go by it but when I meditate I have a oneness with nature still so I feel very much the connection with nature,,,,,,,so somewhat still nature based I guess.

Does this make you a Henotheist than? A follower of One god, but believer in Many?
 

FooYang

Active Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?

Because One always defines The Many, it's basic Ontology. Reality is One Ultimate thing. God is Ultimate Reality, by definition. It can only be One.
Polytheism works within the Pleroma, Collective Unconscious, Akashic record etc. Polytheism is more related to Astrology and Tarot in nature than to the Substrate of Existence itself, by the very nature that it does not place The Absolute™ in it's central position, both macrocosmically and microcosmically.

Both Monotheism and Polytheism have their place, both inevitably end up being forms of Monism when you peal back the layers. Polytheism is always contingent on some kind of 'deity' that represents the Absolute™ to some degree (whether it be Somnus or Atum etc).

Polytheism in general tends to be about the metaphysical clockwork of the universe, hence how neopaganism tends to appeal to the LHP. It becomes a vehicle of expression and transformation rather than ecstasy of pure bliss (Monotheism) of transcendent intensity. Polytheism is the innner workings of the universe, whereas Monotheism/Panentheism is the love of Reality itself (of which the Universe is merely a finite manifestation). Both, again, are inevitably form of Monism.
And aside from this Monotheism/Panentheism, like Buddhism (actually very closely to Buddhism) knows for a fact that attachment to forms and images is not helpful into the next form of existence, as it leads to a form of suffering. Death leads to Union with the Absolute™, which requires the letting go of all falsehoods. Both Buddhism and the Abrahamic traditions (originally) exemplify this perfectly.
This perhaps also answers the reason why traditionally (not so much in modern paganism) the LHP was used as a means to an end and not an end in itself.
 
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Desert Snake

Veteran Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?
Monotheism to me, means worship of one deity.

Other gods or demigods can exist, [gods plural is in the bible, for example.
 

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
Yes absolutly but I have never heard that term interesting!
The meaning has clearly changed. 'gods', is in the bible, directly.

Now, the definition has changed to 'belief there is only one god', which is vague, because, so what? Doesnt mean that person worships that deity
 
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Desert Snake

Veteran Member
Biblically,
False gods, foreign gods, "gods", yep that's in the bible!
High angels , gods of the nations.

A foreign god may or may not be real.
 

leov

Well-Known Member
So, it is of no surprise to most people that the belief in a singular God (Monotheism) is the most dominant worldview with roughly 55% of the worlds population being either Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, as compared to polytheism.

With that in mind, what makes Monotheism the greater of these two views? What makes the belief in one Deity, superior to that of many deities. What advantages does this bring to the spiritual table? Any disadvantages?
I think it is matter of terminology, look at Judaism : One Chief God and hierarchy of angelic beings under , in other religions those angelic beings called gods.
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
Because One always defines The Many, it's basic Ontology. Reality is One Ultimate thing. God is Ultimate Reality, by definition. It can only be One.
Polytheism works within the Pleroma, Collective Unconscious, Akashic record etc. Polytheism is more related to Astrology and Tarot in nature than to the Substrate of Existence itself, by the very nature that it does not place The Absolute™ in it's central position, both macrocosmically and microcosmically.

Both Monotheism and Polytheism have their place, both inevitably end up being forms of Monism when you peal back the layers. Polytheism is always contingent on some kind of 'deity' that represents the Absolute™ to some degree (whether it be Somnus or Atum etc).

Polytheism in general tends to be about the metaphysical clockwork of the universe, hence how neopaganism tends to appeal to the LHP. It becomes a vehicle of expression and transformation rather than ecstasy of pure bliss (Monotheism) of transcendent intensity. Polytheism is the innner workings of the universe, whereas Monotheism/Panentheism is the love of Reality itself (of which the Universe is merely a finite manifestation). Both, again, are inevitably form of Monism.
And aside from this Monotheism/Panentheism, like Buddhism (actually very closely to Buddhism) knows for a fact that attachment to forms and images is not helpful into the next form of existence, as it leads to a form of suffering. Death leads to Union with the Absolute™, which requires the letting go of all falsehoods. Both Buddhism and the Abrahamic traditions (originally) exemplify this perfectly.
This perhaps also answers the reason why traditionally (not so much in modern paganism) the LHP was used as a means to an end and not an end in itself.

While I understand the point you are making, I find monism to be more of an explanation of the Reality of the universe itself, and creation, than support/refute the concept of how many deities there are. Polytheistic Monism does not contradict anything in my personal worldview.
 
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