Can a monotheist have a deity?

Answer 1

To understand whether a Monotheist can have a deity we must know the absolute meaning of Monotheism, Polytheism and Atheism. This is because there is no deity in Monotheism and Atheism and it exists only in Polytheism.

Monotheism, Polytheism and Atheism:

We know that,

1. Monotheism is based on belief in just one god

2. Polytheism is based on belief in many gods

3. Atheism is based on belief in no god.

The Absolute meaning of Monotheism, Polytheism and Atheism:

1. Monotheism is total belief in god

2. Polytheism is partial belief in god

3. Atheism is no belief in god.

Polytheist:

Polytheism is a wide spectrum.

A Polytheist,

1. At one extremity is a Monotheist

2. At the other extremity is an Atheist.

It is only in the middle is he really a Polytheist.

Monotheism, Polythism and Hinduism:

Hinduism is the one and only religion that is both Monotheistic and Polytheistic.

Monotheistic Hinduism:

Brahman is the Monotheistic Hindu god. He is not a deity and he is the one and only Hindu god who is not represented by an idol.

Polytheistic Hinduism:

In Hinduism there are seven grades of belief, each grade associated with a god.

They are,

1. Indra

2. Shakti

3. Brahma

4. Vishnu

5. Shiva

6. Shani

7. Yama.

Indra is at the Monotheistic extremity and Yama is at the Atheistic extremity.

Need for deity in Polytheism:

The wide spectrum of belief in Polytheistic Hinduism makes it extrmely complicated. The deity simplifies the life of a Hindu Polytheist

1. It prevents him from becoming a Monotheist or an Atheist.

2. It ensures that his belief in god is constant.

Monotheism and Deity:

1. We can be Monotheistic under ideal conditions only. Thus, Brahman, the Monotheistic Hindu god, is also the ideal Hindu god.

2. Under ideal conditions there is no need for imagination. Since an idol is semi real, reality representing imagination, it has no place in Monotheism. Thus, Brahman can't be represented by an idol.

3. Since the Monotheist's belief in god is maximum and constant he doesn't need a deity.

Dangers of Monotheistic having a deity:

If a Monotheist tries to have a deity,

1. His belief in god would become lesser and variable and may even get abolished completely.

2. His life would become extremely complicated

3. He can't know what ideal life is

Therefore, a Monotheist need not, cannot and should not have a deity.