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Why were early religions animistic or polytheistic while many modern religions are monotheistic?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The Israelites were indeed polytheistic, as were the people of Judah until late monarchic times or even the Babylonian Exile. Some believe that the natural evolution of religion is towards monotheism, although the early rather monotheistic worship of Gaia suggests that the movement could be in either direction.
Monotheism is what you define it to be. For this reason, we have to qualify our definition to say 'strict monotheism' for modern Judaism and Islam. Christianity's trinity could be regarded by some as a reversion to a form of polytheism. The Catholic Church venerates many saints, especially the virgin Mary, in ways hardly distinguishable from the worship of gods, providing further food for thought about whether monotheism is the ultimate form of religion. Mormonism is a modern form of Christianity and unashamably meets the definition of polytheism.
The evolution of religion is far more complex than a single trajectory from animism to polytheism to monotheism.
Answer:
There is no evolution from polytheism to monotheism.
Monotheism is what Adam and Eve taught their children. God has sent His Prophets to tell Mankind to go back to the One God.
Mankind began worshipping only God. Then, over time, people began to attach great significance to some people. Eventually, they became deified.
Then God sent more Prophets to bring people back to the Oneness of God.
People tend to make up fantastic stories and mislead themselves into thinking that there are other 'deities'.
Take what they did to Jesus, as a perfect example.
They read in the Gospels Jesus giving all the glory to God and claiming to be His servant. You read about him keeping God's Law, you read about him praying to God. Jesus even bows down to the ground in prayer - asking Him to spare Jesus from the cross.
And then people - because of Paul of Tarsus primarily - turn around and worship the messenger, not the God who sent the message.
That is polytheism. The only pure monotheistic creed is Islam.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Early religions were often animistic or polytheistic because they sought to explain natural phenomena and human experiences through a multitude of deities or spirits. As societies became more complex and centralized, monotheistic religions emerged to promote unity, central authority, and exclusivity in worship. The concept of a single, all-powerful deity also provided a simpler explanation for the existence of the universe and humanity.
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Archaic religion differs from modern religion?
Archaic religions are typically polytheistic, centered around nature and the elements, and lack a formalized structure or hierarchy. Modern religions, on the other hand, often emphasize moral codes, scripture, organized institutions, and a belief in a single deity or higher power. Additionally, modern religions are more likely to engage in proselytizing and have a global reach compared to archaic religions, which were often localized.
What is the practice of worshipping many gods?
The practice of worshipping many gods is called polytheism. In polytheistic belief systems, multiple deities are worshipped and revered for their unique powers and attributes. Examples include ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse religions.
What religions believe in one God?
Polytheism is the belief in multiple gods. A modern example would be Mormons who believe in multiple gods because they teach that perfect Mormons can become gods and that God was once like a human being.Monotheism is believing in a single god, such as in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism (which believed that Brahman is the Originator of all things, and expresses "Himself" in various forms.Believing in one godThe word for believing in more than one god is monotheism.
What Modern Religions are there?
Some modern religions include Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, and Wicca. These religions have developed in the past few centuries and have unique beliefs and practices.
Where do Semitic religions come from?
Semitic religions have their origins in the ancient Semitic people of the Middle East, particularly in regions such as Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Arabia. These religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, share common characteristics such as monotheism, emphasis on prophecy and revealed scriptures, and a belief in the Abrahamic covenant.
Is the Navajo monotheistic or polytheistic?
Animism is the belief that all plants and animals, or even all physical objects, have spirits. Some animists believe that collectively we are all part of the spirit of the cosmos creating itself.
Were the Persians monotheistic or polytheistic?
Monotheistic, because the Persian religion was Zoroastrianism which is a monotheistic religion
Is Athens Greece monotheistic or polytheistic?
The principal religions in modern Greece are Greek Orthodox (98%), Muslin (LT 2%) and Jewish (LT 1%) are all monotheistic. There are a small number of folks who hold to the Ancient Greek (polytheistic) religions. None of their rituals is officially recognised by the Greek state. The biggest bone of contention for those involved is that they are prevented from praying at ancient temples, and struggle to get permission to build their own temples, which in Greece requires the approval of the local Orthodox bishop.
Define the word religion and list names of three?
The word religion comes either from the Latin word for conscientiousness/piety or from two latin words meaning "to tie back together." In modern English this word refers to a set of beliefs, generally shared with others and learned from ones parents, about the nature of the universe, humanity, morality and especially the supernatural. Generally, these beliefs provide guidelines for day-to-day life as well as prescribing and proscribing various actions. There are many, many religions and they come in loose categories. Monotheistic religions have one god only. There are three big monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Hinduism can also be considered a monotheistic religion, although it is generally categorized as polytheistic. Polytheistic religions have more than one god. Most of the world's religions are polytheistic and some of the best know ones are the religions of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Norse. Hinduism is considered a polytheistic religion by some, as is Christianity. Some religions, like Buddhism, Taoism and Animism do not have gods and may or may not have a belief in spirits. There is great variety within these categories, even between Christians, or even among Anglicans or Eastern Orthodox Christians. The same can be said for all other religions and their sub-sects. I would postulate that there is a different set of beliefs for each individual believer. Hope this helps, D
How is polytheism used now?
There are many Reconstructionist movements of Ancient polytheistic beliefs, as well as many modern ones.The polytheistic beliefs of ancient peoples has impacted our culture in many ways, from holidays,cities,ruins, and words to even modern religions and beliefs today.
How were Hebrew beliefs similar to polytheistic religions?
Modern Judaism is the most strongly monotheistic of all religions - the opposite of polytheism. However, before the Babylonian Exile, and particularly before the seventh-century-BCE deuteronomistic reforms of King Josiah, Hebrews did follow many gods, although their most important God was the God now worshipped by Jews and Christians. Even after the Return from the Babylonian Exile, evidence in the Bible suggests that remnants of polytheistic beliefs still existed. And the post-Exilic emergence of the spirit/goddess, Wisdom, in Jewish belief meant that Judaism was not yet truly monotheistic. Wisdom continued to be venerated until around the end of the first century CE, and was even mentioned in the gospels.
What are some examples of polytheistic?
This question has nothing to do with alternative medicine... further, polytheistic is an adjective, not a noun, meaning "many gods". If you are looking for examples of, say, religions that are polytheistic, look at ancient greek religion and mythology in which an entire pantheon of gods and goddesses are worshipped. Monotheism, conversely, is belief in one god, such as modern christianity.
Is modern Judaism really monotheistic?
Yes. It is certainly not polytheistic. Compared to Christianity, Judaism is far more concerned with action than with belief, and this may lead some Christians to see it as inexplicably tolerant of agnosticism.
Is Satanism real?
There is no Satan in Hinduism.
What is the difference between monotheisitic and polytheistic?
monotheism is a belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God.andAbrahamic religions(islam , Judaism,Christianity) are the best examples of monotheism.Polytheistim refers to the belief or worship of more than one god.Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism are the best examples of a functioning polytheism.
What early civilizations was polytheistic?
A:Ancient civilizations where polytheism was followed include: Egypt, Rome, Greece, Israel, pre-Exilic Judah. Modern civilizations where polytheism is widely followed include: India, Thailand, China, Japan.
What did the major monotheistic religions contribute to modern political thinking?
Idiocracy, intolerance, and how to preach freedom of religion while pushing Christianity on all citizens, as far as America goes, at least.
