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Monotheism and Polytheism

1137

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
This is mostly for those who reject the idea of a godless universe, but anyone is free to respond. It seems like almost 2,000 years of monotheistic dominance has made people forget/ignore Polytheism. It would only take a few minutes on a sub or forum to see that "God" is almost always conceived of as monotheistic, even by atheists. When you say your gods aren't omni-gods, you're very likely to be asked why they're gods at all, despite the fact that gods generally weren't Omni anything before monotheism.

What's worse is that Polytheism is far more likely to be correct than monotheism. There's no problem of evil because the gods aren't omnibenevolent or omnipotent. Many try to "bust" theists by pointing out how many gods there are beside the theist's, which isn't an issue in Polytheism. Polytheism usually coincides with henotheism, which even allows for vastly diverse religious paths and beliefs.

I think Polytheism should be more seriously considered in philosophy. What do you think?
 
The Emperor of Mankind

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
1137 said:
This is mostly for those who reject the idea of a godless universe, but anyone is free to respond. It seems like almost 2,000 years of monotheistic dominance has made people forget/ignore Polytheism. It would only take a few minutes on a sub or forum to see that "God" is almost always conceived of as monotheistic, even by atheists. When you say your gods aren't omni-gods, you're very likely to be asked why they're gods at all, despite the fact that gods generally weren't Omni anything before monotheism.

What's worse is that Polytheism is far more likely to be correct than monotheism. There's no problem of evil because the gods aren't omnibenevolent or omnipotent. Many try to "bust" theists by pointing out how many gods there are beside the theist's, which isn't an issue in Polytheism. Polytheism usually coincides with henotheism, which even allows for vastly diverse religious paths and beliefs.

I think Polytheism should be more seriously considered in philosophy. What do you think?
Click to expand...

I concur. These days thanks to monotheist religions most people who reject the idea of a monotheistic omni-God go straight to atheism without even exploring the possibility of looking at deity in other ways. I didn't but when I found out that polytheism was still seriously practised I began to wonder if I had jumped the gun in assuming if the Abrahamic god were false there were no others.
 
shunyadragon

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
I believe in a Monotheistic God, and hold to the controversial view that brings the wrath of some members that Polytheism is alive and well in today's world in traditional Christianity and some forms of Hinduism and Buddhism.
 
Jayhawker Soule

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
RedDragon94 said:
Then God is still finite in a way.
Click to expand...
'Would you tell me please,' said Alice, 'what that means?'

'Now you talk like a reasonable child,' said Humpty Dumpty, looking very much pleased. 'I meant by "impenetrability" that we've had enough of that subject, and it would be just as well if you'd mention what you mean to do next, as I suppose you don't mean to stop here all the rest of your life.'​

'That's a great deal to make one word mean,' Alice said in a thoughtful tone.

'When I make a word do a lot of work like that,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'I always pay it extra.'​

'Oh!' said Alice. She was too much puzzled to make any other remark.

- Lewis Carroll
 
RedDragon94

RedDragon94

Love everyone, meditate often
Jayhawker Soule said:
'Would you tell me please,' said Alice, 'what that means?'

'Now you talk like a reasonable child,' said Humpty Dumpty, looking very much pleased. 'I meant by "impenetrability" that we've had enough of that subject, and it would be just as well if you'd mention what you mean to do next, as I suppose you don't mean to stop here all the rest of your life.'​

'That's a great deal to make one word mean,' Alice said in a thoughtful tone.

'When I make a word do a lot of work like that,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'I always pay it extra.'​

'Oh!' said Alice. She was too much puzzled to make any other remark.

- Lewis Carroll
Click to expand...
... Okay, I know what this means... Actually, uh, no I don't.
 
SabahTheLoner

SabahTheLoner

Master of the Art of Couch Potato Cuddles
I actually can agree with your points. One of the problems with a monotheistic God concept is that there has to be a way to explain evil, so lesser spiritual entities that could in a way become gods themselves are formed (think Satan, Lucifer, demons, etc in Christianity). I always thought multiple gods were plausible and a omnipotent entity seems paradoxical.
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
In spite of how annoying I find the fixation on Abrahamic god-concepts to be, there are certainly benefits to not being in the limelight. :sweat:
 
Epic Beard Man

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
Jumi said:
The problem of evil is only for those monotheists who believe God is omnipotent and good.
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There is no problem of evil in monotheism. The infinite creator makes a universe bound by laws filled with finite beings. People get sick and die. People get into unfortunate accidents and die. We all return to God at some point. There is nothing evil about it, it's called life. It is called being in existence.
 
1137

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
RedDragon94 said:
Then God is still finite in a way.
Click to expand...

And why is that a problem?

Jumi said:
The problem of evil is only for those monotheists who believe God is omnipotent and good.
Click to expand...

True. But other problems exist such as the vastly differening religious experiences others have.

Quintessence said:
In spite of how annoying I find the fixation on Abrahamic god-concepts to be, there are certainly benefits to not being in the limelight. :sweat:
Click to expand...

Very true.
 
Jumi

Jumi

Well-Known Member
Epic Beard Man said:
There is no problem of evil in monotheism. The infinite creator makes a universe bound by laws filled with finite beings. People get sick and die. People get into unfortunate accidents and die. We all return to God at some point. There is nothing evil about it, it's called life. It is called being in existence.
Click to expand...
It may be correct to say it's not a problem for you, since you don't believe in an omnibenevolent omnipotent God. but for many monotheists the problem has been unavoidable throughout millenia.

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Click to expand...
 
Jayhawker Soule

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
SabahTheLoner said:
I actually can agree with your points. One of the problems with a monotheistic God concept is that there has to be a way to explain evil, ...
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Good grief! :facepalm:
  • First: there is no cosmic dictum declaring that there must be an explanation. You want one. I want one. Others want one. So what?
  • Second: there is no Problem of Evil inherent in monotheism. It exists solely in the anthropomorphic presumption of omni-benevolence.
Polytheism simply answers a problem of anthropomorphism with a more fully anthropomorphic, more primitive system starring a multiplicity gods, all of whom are not omnipotent and most (if not all) of whom are not omni-benevolent.
 
Jayhawker Soule

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
Jumi said:
It may be correct to say it's not a problem for you, since you don't believe in an omnibenevolent omnipotent God. but for many monotheists the problem has been unavoidable throughout millenia.
Click to expand...
Again, so what?

The OP asserts:

"that Polytheism is far more likely to be correct than monotheism."​

Your observation is simply irrelevant ...

... unless of course, you're arguing that the more pleasant option is generally the more likely to be correct, in which case your observation is simply dumb.​
 
Jumi

Jumi

Well-Known Member
Jayhawker Soule said:
Again, so what?
Click to expand...
So you are saying there is no problem for monotheists who believe God is wholly good and omnipotent? Like I said earlier, it's only a problem for monotheists who believe in a wholly good omnipotent God.

Jayhawker Soule said:
... unless of course, you're arguing that the more pleasant option is generally the more likely to be correct, in which case your observation is simply dumb.​
Click to expand...
Ok...... That option you thought of is of course not one I'm presenting. Neither is the OP unless I'm wrong it seems a minor part of his argument.
 
SabahTheLoner

SabahTheLoner

Master of the Art of Couch Potato Cuddles
Jayhawker Soule said:
Good grief! :facepalm:
  • First: there is no cosmic dictum declaring that there must be an explanation. You want one. I want one. Others want one. So what?
  • Second: there is no Problem of Evil inherent in monotheism. It exists solely in the anthropomorphic presumption of omni-benevolence.
Polytheism simply answers a problem of anthropomorphism with a more fully anthropomorphic, more primitive system starring a multiplicity gods, all of whom are not omnipotent and most (if not all) of whom are not omni-benevolent.
Click to expand...

Traditional monotheism in religion works in a way in which religion has to either give the One God avatars, helpers or and enemies to explain good, miracles and the opposite. Not all of them have to be spiritual, and there is the assumption that it is God who is omni-benevolent. At least, to the faithful. You could reject those explanations and believe in God only, but many people who do want the explanations will give attention to them.

I rather prefer polytheism because it seems to be naturalistic and, like the world, imperfect but systematic. Most believers of a monotheistic world make many assumptions that haven't been my experience in life and religion. Omni-benevolence being one of them.
 
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