Wilhelm Schmidt proposed the theory of original monotheism as the origin of religion in the world saying that the earliest religions were based on one distant high God?

Answer 1

It was the Scottish anthropologist Andrew Lang who first proposed the idea of a high god that he believed existed among some of the simplest of contemporary tribes. The noted anthropologist Wilhelm Schmidt accepted and defended that hypothesis, which he no doubt felt was in line with his beliefs as a Catholic priest.

Wikipedia explains that primitive monotheism, "the hypothesis of a monotheistic 'Urreligion' from which non-monotheistic religions degenerated, is diametrically opposed to the evolutionary view of religion, another hypothesis which holds that religion progressed from simple forms to complex: first preanimism, then animism, totemism, polytheism and finally monotheism."

Schmidt's hypothesis of primitive monotheism was debated during much of the first half of the twentieth century, after which the hypothesis was rejected by academics. Most anthropologists have abandoned all evolutionary schemes like those of Schmidt and Pettazoni, for the historical development of religion, saying that they have also found monotheistic beliefs existing alongside other religious beliefs.

Answer 2

Yes, Wilhelm Schmidt proposed the theory of original monotheism suggesting that early human societies had a belief in a single, supreme deity before developing polytheistic beliefs. He argued that the concept of a high god was a common element in the world's oldest religions, drawing on ethnographic studies and comparative analysis of myths and practices. Schmidt's theory has been both influential and controversial in the study of religious origins.

Answer 3

That is correct.
One thing that researchers agree upon is that mankind has always believed in a Higher Power. Archaeology has shown that no ancient society ever existed that did not believe in the supernatural.(See: Can you show me that God exists?)Based upon a massive worldwide study of the most ancient inscriptions and the earliest levels of civilization, Dr. Wilhelm Schmidt (in his twelve-volume Der Ursprung Der Gottesidee) concluded that the original belief was monotheistic; a belief in One God (see footnote 1, below). It was a simple belief in the Creator (Dyeus Pater; Sky-Father) with no imagery of any kind. It gave way relatively quickly to polytheism and idolatry, but its traces could still be seen by the careful researcher, just as (for example) Proto-Indo European has left indelible marks within the later languages. Other traditions also are traceable worldwide, such as the religious significance of the number seven, and the immortality of the soul.

The process by which the awareness of One God gave way to a belief in many gods, has been described by Scandinavian researchers (see footnote 2) as splitting ("Gottespaltung"): the people gradually viewed God's attributes of truth, righteousness, fertility etc., as separate from Him, and afterwards personified and worshiped the attributes themselves, until God was largely forgotten.

According to Jewish tradition also, (Rashi commentary, Genesis 4:26), monotheism is more ancient than polytheism. Maimonides (see footnote 3, below) describes the process by which polytheism began: "A couple of centuries after the Creation, mankind made a great mistake. They said that since God had created the stars and spheres and placed them on high, accordingly it is fitting for people to praise and glorify them and to treat them with honor. They perceived this to be the will of God, that people should magnify and honor the stars. They began to praise and glorify them with words, and prostrate themselves before them, because by doing so, they would (according to their false conception) be indirectly honoring God too."

This descent into polytheism contributed to the weakening of any sense of religious belief and was also used as justification for excessive and licentious behavior, since the caprices which were narrated concerning the idols were adopted as an excuse to imitate their putative actions. See: Cruelties of the polytheists.

It was the original belief which Abraham reinstated through his teaching of ethical monotheism.

Footnotes:

1) Albright, "From the Stone Age," p.170; and J.A. Wilson, "The Culture of ancient Egypt," p.129. Also Baron, "A Social and Religious History," vol. I, p.44 and 311. Also James Meek, "Hebrew Origins," p.188, quoting Langdon, Lagrange and John Ross. Also Martin Nilsson, Handbuch der Altertumswissenschaften, 2nd ed., p.61, 141, 220 and 394.

2) G. W. Anderson, in "The Old Testament and Modern Study," p.287. Also Friedrich Baethgen, in Beitraege zur Semitischen Religionsgeschichte, p.288. Also Pallotino, "The Etruscans," p. 158 and 167.

3) See the full quote from Maimonides, in: "How did polytheism start?"

Answer 4

Yes. He did. And there is some evidence in favour of his theory.

But it would be impossible to prove a theory like this, so it will always be only a theory.