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Is Christianity monotheistic, polytheistic or both?

Hammzah

Hammzah

Member
What do you guys think? I mean it does look like a monotheistic religion, but if you look at the other side, doesn't it look like a polytheistic religion, as well? Apparently, Christians like to worship a supernatural being other than God, like Mary for example or St Christopher. Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world. They are often called charms because they are believed to act as magical charms to ward off danger. It is clear that millions believe that a supernatural being other than God is able to provide them with supernatural protection, right? Also, Icons are also worshipped.
 
Kenny

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
Hammzah said:
What do you guys think? I mean it does look like a monotheistic religion, but if you look at the other side, doesn't it look like a polytheistic religion, as well? Apparently, Christians like to worship a supernatural being other than God, like Mary for example or St Christopher. Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world. They are often called charms because they are believed to act as magical charms to ward off danger. It is clear that millions believe that a supernatural being other than God is able to provide them with supernatural protection, right? Also, Icons are also worshipped.
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Yes, that does and can happen.

But I think that is more of a human trait. Someone said, "Show me where most of your monies go to and I will tell you what god you worship". For some it can be a car, gambling, your home etc.

But I would rephrase it by saying "a significant group" vs "Christians".
 
9-10ths_Penguin

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Hammzah said:
What do you guys think? I mean it does look like a monotheistic religion, but if you look at the other side, doesn't it look like a polytheistic religion, as well? Apparently, Christians like to worship a supernatural being other than God, like Mary for example or St Christopher. Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world. They are often called charms because they are believed to act as magical charms to ward off danger. It is clear that millions believe that a supernatural being other than God is able to provide them with supernatural protection, right? Also, Icons are also worshipped.
Click to expand...
I personally consider Trinitarianism to be more polytheistic than monotheistic... though not all Christianity is Trinitarian.
 
Buddha Dharma

Buddha Dharma

Dharma Practitioner
Christianity is definitely monotheistic if you understand it's theology. Honestly, most Trinitarians are not going around thinking of three individuals in a triad. They see them as more like roles or modes of God, if that's a good way of putting it. Christians also don't believe saints are deities. I understand how it might seem polytheistic though. It certainly is unique in it's monotheism.
 
Grandliseur

Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
Hammzah said:
What do you guys think? I mean it does look like a monotheistic religion, but if you look at the other side, doesn't it look like a polytheistic religion, as well? Apparently, Christians like to worship a supernatural being other than God, like Mary for example or St Christopher. Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world. They are often called charms because they are believed to act as magical charms to ward off danger. It is clear that millions believe that a supernatural being other than God is able to provide them with supernatural protection, right? Also, Icons are also worshipped.
Click to expand...
It is monotheistic for some, in the sense that there is one Almighty Creator. Yet, his son is also a Mighty God, but not almighty and even humans have been said to be gods, though that is more as a warning, was it?! Even the angels are called sons of God, thus having godlike qualities, being divine in a limited sense. The fallen angels have used this to make themselves worshiped in many parts of the globe.

If you speak of those believing in a Trinity, I cannot see how that is monotheistic.
 
shunyadragon

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
It is not as clear as many traditional Christians consider Christianity as monotheism. Islam, Baha'i Faith, and Judaism since ~600-700 AD are strictly monotheism. Judaism based on scripture evolved from Canaanite polytheism/henotheism.

It is controversial, but I believe there is sufficient justification to consider traditional Christianity to be Tritheistic, and the Roman Church polytheism with Mary considered a Goddess. Some churches to their credit have rejected the Trinity, for a more rigid monotheism.
 
Politesse

Politesse

Amor Vincit Omnia
Most monotheistic traditions have more than just one supernatural entity, or are capable of comprehending different aspects/names/roles for that deity. Christianity has its saints and angels, but it is far from alone on the angelic count, and those saints know who their own praise is due to at the end of the day. I do not think you have to rule out the possible supernatural complexities of the universe to believe that one Entity is in charge of the show.
 
David T

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Grandliseur said:
It is monotheistic for some, in the sense that there is one Almighty Creator. Yet, his son is also a Mighty God, but not almighty and even humans have been said to be gods, though that is more as a warning, was it?! Even the angels are called sons of God, thus having godlike qualities, being divine in a limited sense. The fallen angels have used this to make themselves worshiped in many parts of the globe.

If you speak of those believing in a Trinity, I cannot see how that is monotheistic.
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Though it can get really telelogically literal, and become extremely MonoMEism fast. But heck that's normal, and church folks greatest flaw, being normal.
 
Grandliseur

Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
David T said:
Though it can get really telelogically literal, and become extremely MonoMEism fast. But heck that's normal, and church folks greatest flaw, being normal.
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"MonoMEism fast. But heck that's normal, and church folks greatest flaw, being normal"

Not sure how MonoMeism is manifested, or how it is the greatest flaw. Care to elaborate just for fun.
 
Hockeycowboy

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
First, to answer your question.....it should be monotheistic, worshipping Yahweh / Jehovah (the God of the Bible). Really, that's Who Jesus worshipped! -- John 20:17

And Yahweh says in Exodus 20, that He, only, should be worshipped Yet most of Christendom turns God into a trinity; that action effectively 'spreads around' the worship...not solely worshipping Yahweh. Oh, well.

Hammzah said:
Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world.
Click to expand...

And also, crosses around their necks. That is supposed to be the instrument that killed Jesus. Now let me ask you this: if your best friend was killed by someone who used a .357, would you then make a replica of it to wear? That instrument of your friend's death would probably be abhorrent to you!

I consider myself a Christian, I try, but I feel that what started out as Truth, including Jesus' teachings and commands to "love your brother", even to "love your enemy", has obviously been hijacked by greedy imposters, "weeds", as Jesus said would happen. -- Matthew 13:25; Matthew 7:21-23.

I mean, have the clergy encouraged their flock to love their brothers in times of conflict? Or have they valued their national brotherhood (from their respective countries) over their spiritual brotherhood? How does God view that? We have an idea, at 1 John 3:10-15.

It's serious.
Its interesting that Jesus said, to find His genuine disciples, was not so much by what they taught (there's so many teachings), but by how they act! -- John 13:35.
Agape love, that knows no boundaries.....certainly not any man-made ones, such as tribal, political, racial, etc.
 
shunyadragon

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Politesse said:
Most monotheistic traditions have more than just one supernatural entity, or are capable of comprehending different aspects/names/roles for that deity. Christianity has its saints and angels, but it is far from alone on the angelic count, and those saints know who their own praise is due to at the end of the day. I do not think you have to rule out the possible supernatural complexities of the universe to believe that one Entity is in charge of the show.
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This a generalization that does reflect the reality of Judaism, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith. The belief in three individual beings being distinct yet one God is unique of the Abrahamic religions, including the role of Mary in the Roman Church. The pantheon of angelic beings is also unique. The existence of other beings in Judaism, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith are most definitely do not qualify as deities.
 
shunyadragon

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Buddha Dharma said:
Christianity is definitely monotheistic if you understand it's theology. Honestly, most Trinitarians are not going around thinking of three individuals in a triad. They see them as more like roles or modes of God, if that's a good way of putting it. Christians also don't believe saints are deities. I understand how it might seem polytheistic though. It certainly is unique in it's monotheism.
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I was raised in the Roman Church and studied for the priesthood, and the Roman Church, and the traditional Christian Trinitarian churches cannot be considered monotheistic. Yes, Christians go around believing that there are three individual beings in a triad of one God.

In part of above you are proposing modalism, which is a heresy in traditional Christianity.
 
David T

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Grandliseur said:
"MonoMEism fast. But heck that's normal, and church folks greatest flaw, being normal"

Not sure how MonoMeism is manifested, or how it is the greatest flaw. Care to elaborate just for fun.
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I believe I don't believe, I am agnostic, is a
is a city folk mental disorder and nonsense.
I have a degree in theology, absolutely worthless in application To the bible, great psych tool though. Nope I am a country folk, all about nature just like john Muir with some jung tossed im for fun. Freud, just a city folk dimwit.
 
Grandliseur

Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
David T said:
I believe I don't believe, I am agnostic, is a
is a city folk mental disorder and nonsense.
I have a degree in theology, absolutely worthless in application To the bible, great psych tool though. Nope I am a country folk, all about nature just like john Muir with some jung tossed im for fun. Freud, just a city folk dimwit.
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OK.

My brother studied religion at the university and became atheist. Funny. :D
I'm a city boy who grew up in the country side. For a very short time I lived in a very isolated place, in a forest, by the beach. I loved it. Mom hated it. My appendix hated it, probably nearly died then. For a brief time, I played in the forest, enjoyed the sound of the tempest in the trees, moved a cow or two when they needed to have their grass pin with rope moved. The school I went to at that moment was all classes in one room, everyone sitting on benches, and because I came from the big city, I found myself under all the other kids at intermission one day when I first arrived, they were all beating me up one day, but somehow I crawled out from under them and stood at the side looking at them being on top of me (supposedly). Unusual time.

In the city, I had just begun school before moving to the country side; there we had gangs and you didn't go to apartment blocks where you didn't belong. I was chased by a group of kids and still have the scar to show it today.

My brother used to abuse me physically, nearly killed me a few times.

I wonder why I have a tendency to not let people get away with violence against me any longer. Don't want it, but don't mind killing people if they prove to need it.

Maybe we need Freud today. :D:D
 
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LuisDantas

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
Hammzah said:
What do you guys think? I mean it does look like a monotheistic religion, but if you look at the other side, doesn't it look like a polytheistic religion, as well? Apparently, Christians like to worship a supernatural being other than God, like Mary for example or St Christopher. Many tens if not hundreds of millions of Christians carry around Mary or St Christopher talismans. They may be seen on neck chains and on car dashboards throughout the world. They are often called charms because they are believed to act as magical charms to ward off danger. It is clear that millions believe that a supernatural being other than God is able to provide them with supernatural protection, right? Also, Icons are also worshipped.
Click to expand...
Christianity is in practice quite varied.

It can be agnostic, monotheist, or even pantheistic or politheistic, I suppose. That is what happens when people pressure their peers at showing specific god-beliefs regardless of their actual inclinations.

To me that is a partial solution, not a problem. Monotheism as an actual article of faith for a would-be religious doctrine is just not healthy.

Christianity really owes itself learning to deal better with the variety of god-belief stances.
 
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