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Real Polytheism

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Having come into a world where this is common, I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics and it's confusing to me, so I'll just lay it out.

A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offerings etc. only to one?
 
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mikkel_the_dane

My own religion
Having come into a world where this is common, I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics and it's confusing to me, so I'll just lay it out.

A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offers etc. only to one?

Well, as an atheist who can use religion, I wonder how some people for the poly in religion, philosophy and science concentrate on one.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
Having come into a world where this is common, I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics and it's confusing to me, so I'll just lay it out.

A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offers etc. only to one?

I'm not sure it's at the expense of others. One may just feel a closer relationship with a particular god and their associations. I don't think they mean to disqualify other gods. They are just more comfortable working with that particular one.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
And what, pray tell, is the purpose of polytheism?
That there's more than one god. If a person is focusing exclusively on one then I'd call that henotheism. I'm confused at folks calling themselves polytheists when many are clearly henotheists.
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
I think it's more akin to having a favorite game. You're not discounting other games, or that others enjoy playing those games, but you like yours. As the "point" of polytheism is that there is more than one god, even with henotheism or monolatry you are able to worship and enjoy your deity, while not holding the Imperialistic world-view that yours is the only god to exist. Polytheism doesn't mean one must actively worship more than one deity, it only holds that there are many one can worship.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
Having come into a world where this is common, I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics and it's confusing to me, so I'll just lay it out.

A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offers etc. only to one?
It is lost on me, and I imagine nefarious reasons. Perhaps it so that if you can't get permission from one parent you can get it from the other. Maybe its like looking for a specialist. You don't call a plumber if you need TV repair.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Having come into a world where this is common, I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics and it's confusing to me, so I'll just lay it out.

A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offers etc. only to one?

My ideas on the subject are complicated. So much, I coined the term "Dungeon Break" for some of my beliefs and I'm working them out myself. I could explain further, but it'll just take people down a rabbit-hole they're better off not going down, there. But....

Basically I see there being an objective reality, a subjective reality, and that subjective reality being in fragments. But then some things would have to be real within the subjective reality, making parts of the subjective reality objective.

But I'll explain in a much simpler way that doesn't involve much Tylenol :p ....

I don't worship Krishna because he's more of a right hand path character to me. I don't worship Brahman but I have my doubts a lot of Hindu people might also (correct me if I'm wrong). Shiva is the next great power for me. Since I take a western view. I also believe in Shakti, but I need to study more on the subject. So I'll use an analogy...

Suppose there are a dozen mods on the forum, and a member acknowledges there are indeed a dozen, but doesn't talk to that dozen about their site issues, instead talking to a mod that seems to understand them well. Just as a very rough analogy.
 

Starlight

Spiritual but not religious, new age and omnist
That there's more than one god. If a person is focusing exclusively on one then I'd call that henotheism. I'm confused at folks calling themselves polytheists when many are clearly henotheists.
Most likely they do not know the label " henotheists" exist.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
Why the confusion. All henotheists are, by definition, polytheists.
I guess my confusion stems from the fact that if you're basically just going to worship one god exclusively, why not go for a religion that has only one?
 

Harel13

Am Yisrael Chai
Staff member
Premium Member
I've noticed a trend that may be lost on most Abrahamics
I think I can deal with that. :relieved:
A common theme I've begun seeing in polytheistic communities is a person taking one god and basically dedicating him or herself to that one at the expense of the others. This happened historically as well, of course. But it seems to me to defeat the purpose of polytheism. I mean, if you have, say, 20 gods why just focus only one one and write/pray/give offers etc. only to one?
I expect (as an ignorant monotheist from a long line of ignorant monotheists (and proud of it) :grin:) that it's hard to focus on multiple deities all the time. So hypothetically you decide to split your time between your 7-20 favorite deities (out of the dozens, hundreds or even thousands available in your particular religion), and then somehow naturally are drawn to one in particular, the one that "speaks to you" the most.
 

Harel13

Am Yisrael Chai
Staff member
Premium Member
I guess my confusion stems from the fact that if you're basically just going to worship one god exclusively, why not go for a religion that has only one?
@Brickjectivity said it best. Or as we say in Hebrew, ma la'asot (what can you do)? Sometimes the One God (or the one god) isn't interested in answering you right now (or has other plans, and as we say in Yiddish: "Man tracht und Gott lacht" (man plans and God laughs)). It's easier to have a stock of "spare" deities, so to speak.
 

Rival

Si m'ait Dieus
Staff member
Premium Member
I think I can deal with that. :relieved:

I expect (as an ignorant monotheist from a long line of ignorant monotheists (and proud of it) :grin:) that it's hard to focus on multiple deities all the time. So hypothetically you decide to split your time between your 7-20 favorite deities (out of the dozens, hundreds or even thousands available in your particular religion), and then somehow naturally are drawn to one in particular, the one that "speaks to you" the most.
It makes sense. I guess I'm just coming from a place of confusion where it makes more sense just to have one God that does everything :tearsofjoy:

I meant 'lost on' as in, many coming from Abrahamic backgrounds may not be aware of this trend.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
And I'm glad you were impressed. Meanwhile, I was having an interchange with someone else.

This is a discussion forum. It's for open discussion among forum members. Meanwhile, since you appear to be intent on purpose, exclusive interchanges are what PMs are for.
 

Harel13

Am Yisrael Chai
Staff member
Premium Member
I meant 'lost on' as in, many coming from Abrahamic backgrounds may not be aware of this trend.
Really? I think most Westerners with just a bit of basic historical knowledge would know about things like the priestesses of Apollo and the priests of Horus. Priests of particular deities, right?
 
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