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Monotheism

danieldemol

danieldemol

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Jake1001 said:
What led to the emergence of monotheism? | Live Science

Why did we become monotheistic ? Lack of imagination? How about non-anthropomorphic? Is Christianity monotheistic ?
Click to expand...
Well unless you define Christianity with its trinity as monotheistic, "we" didn't become monotheistic at 24.3%.

As for why that percentage occurred, my educated guess would be the strings attached charity of the large monotheisms combined with higher birth rates.
 
MikeF

MikeF

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Jake1001 said:
What led to the emergence of monotheism? | Live Science

Why did we become monotheistic ? Lack of imagination? How about non-anthropomorphic? Is Christianity monotheistic ?
Click to expand...

If we look at the evolution of religious thought we see a strong correlation between the religious beliefs of a group and that groups base of knowledge about the world and the groups size and social complexity.

In the smallest, pre-metal, hunter/gatherer societies we see animism as a way for these early peoples to explain that which is unknown. As peoples understanding of the world begins to become more sophisticated, ideas on the supernatural must adapt. Additionally, the rules and customs that are required for human beings to live together in some order begin to be integrated into developing religious myth systems. As small bands grow into multi-band tribal communities, which grow into city states, which grow into empires, religious beliefs and customs had to evolve and adapt to accommodate increasing complex social structures.

So as society increases in size and complexity, we see the evolution from animism to shamanism, to polytheism, and on to anthropomorphic monotheism and more abstract ideas of a monotheistic entity. I think it can be argued the early ideas of monotheism were greatly influenced by the Hellenistic Age of Greek Philosophy.

I would also say that later advocates for monotheism recognized that diverse beliefs in many different gods reinforced division and sectarianism. Advocating monotheism is a way to get everyone under the same religious umbrella, using the same associated morals, rules, and social customs, thereby creating a unified and uniform identity.

I think this is exampled in the expansion of Christianity with the Emperor Constantine and his conversion of the Roman Empire, and also with Islam, were Muhammad campaigned and converted the Arabian peninsula from a dominant polytheism to a monotheism that Muhammad adapted to fit with culture of the Arabian peninsula.
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Heyo

Heyo

Veteran Member
Jake1001 said:
What led to the emergence of monotheism? | Live Science

Why did we become monotheistic ? Lack of imagination? How about non-anthropomorphic? Is Christianity monotheistic ?
Click to expand...
Animism: thousands of gods (or Kami), there's one behind every corner
Polytheism: some fewer gods, but still a veritable big pantheon
Henotheism: we only care about one god out of many
Christianity: only 3 gods (who are really one)
Islam: only one god

I see a pattern.
 
J

Jake1001

Computer Simulator
danieldemol said:
Well unless you define Christianity with its trinity as monotheistic, "we" didn't become monotheistic at 24.3%.

As for why that percentage occurred, my educated guess would be the strings attached charity of the large monotheisms combined with higher birth rates.
Click to expand...
Hi Daniel, you are clearly a gifted Christian poster. At 24.3% we reached the tipping point and all became monotheists. You are also a member of the Abrahamic DIR. Be careful over there, lots of sharks in that tank.
 
J

Jake1001

Computer Simulator
Unveiled Artist said:
I read this in class. Christianity used monotheism as a politic device. We didn't get far into judaism since we studied art history.
Click to expand...
Hi Unveiled, you are clearly a brilliant non-theistic, non-religious poster. Art history is more interesting than religion.
 
J

Jake1001

Computer Simulator
MikeF said:
If we look at the evolution of religious thought we see a strong correlation between the religious beliefs of a group and that groups base of knowledge about the world and the groups size and social complexity.

In the smallest, pre-metal, hunter/gatherer societies we see animism as a way for these early peoples to explain that which is unknown. As peoples understanding of the world begins to become more sophisticated, ideas on the supernatural must adapt. Additionally, the rules and customs that are required for human beings to live together in some order begin to be integrated into developing religious myth systems. As small bands grow into multi-band tribal communities, which grow into city states, which grow into empires, religious beliefs and customs had to evolve and adapt to accommodate increasing complex social structures.

So as society increases in size and complexity, we see the evolution from animism to shamanism, to polytheism, and on to anthropomorphic monotheism and more abstract ideas of a monotheistic entity. I think it can be argued the early ideas of monotheism were greatly influenced by the Hellenistic Age of Greek Philosophy.

I would also say that later advocates for monotheism recognized that diverse beliefs in many different gods reinforced division and sectarianism. Advocating monotheism is a way to get everyone under the same religious umbrella, using the same associated morals, rules, and social customs, thereby creating a unified and uniform identity.

I think this is exampled in the expansion of Christianity with the Emperor Constantine and his conversion of the Roman Empire, and also with Islam, were Muhammad campaigned and converted the Arabian peninsula from a dominant polytheism to a monotheism that Muhammad adapted to fit with culture of the Arabian peninsula.
Click to expand...
Hi Mike, how are we doing dude ? You are clearly a genius poster. Your post is a bit long for the folks in this forum, but hang in there. We will review your post 1 paragraph at a time. Since you mention animism, lets go with that. Are we talking supernatural stuff ?
 
WalterTrull

WalterTrull

Godfella
Jake1001 said:
Hi Walter, you are clearly a gifted ex-Christian Scientist. Thank you for your deep analysis.
Click to expand...
I so appreciate it when someone recognizes my gifts. You apparently even read my profile! I am ginormously flattered. If I may paraphrase Mrs. Gump: "Analysis is as analysis does". And a hearty "Good morning to you". (That last was my own, not Mrs. G's)
 
MikeF

MikeF

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Jake1001 said:
Hi Mike, how are we doing dude ? You are clearly a genius poster. Your post is a bit long for the folks in this forum, but hang in there. We will review your post 1 paragraph at a time. Since you mention animism, lets go with that. Are we talking supernatural stuff ?
Click to expand...

Are we all not genius posters in our own minds? :)

Apologies for the long post, pithy and concise does not seem to be in my wheelhouse. :)
 
MikeF

MikeF

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Jake1001 said:
Since you mention animism, lets go with that. Are we talking supernatural stuff ?
Click to expand...

In an attempt to address "Why monotheism?", I felt it required an acknowledgement of why we hold any religious ideas. Essentially, religious ideas give explanation and meaning to all that remains unknown. At our most ignorant, it appears animistic beliefs are how we first attempt to explain the unknown.
 
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