Misplaced Pages

Monotheism: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 17:28, 8 October 2002 edit164.116.81.60 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 17:29, 8 October 2002 edit undo164.116.81.217 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
Line 10: Line 10:
*] is a form of theism that holds that God contains, but is not identical to, the Universe. This is also the view of ]. *] is a form of theism that holds that God contains, but is not identical to, the Universe. This is also the view of ].


In contrast, see ], which holds that there are many gods. ] and ] are theological variants of polytheism. Recently some people have termed these beliefs <i>inclusive monotheism</i> (i.e. the belief in many gods, but the worship of just one of them.) Most monotheists would say that, by definition, monotheism is incompatible with ]. This is because a belief in multiple gods does not imply the worship of multiple gods. Historically, many polytheists believe in the existence of many gods, but worshipped only one. You are all buttheads In contrast, see ], which holds that there are many gods. ] and ] are theological variants of polytheism. Recently some people have termed these beliefs <i>inclusive monotheism</i> (i.e. the belief in many gods, but the worship of just one of them.) Most monotheists would say that, by definition, monotheism is incompatible with ]. This is because a belief in multiple gods does not imply the worship of multiple gods. Historically, many polytheists believe in the existence of many gods, but worshipped only one.


The ] (], ], ]) have traditionally subscribed to exclusive monotheism, although some biblical scholars argue that the phrasing of certain passages such as the commandment not to have other gods before God, are remnants of an earlier inclusive monotheism. The ] (], ], ]) have traditionally subscribed to exclusive monotheism, although some biblical scholars argue that the phrasing of certain passages such as the commandment not to have other gods before God, are remnants of an earlier inclusive monotheism.

Revision as of 17:29, 8 October 2002

Monotheism is the belief in a single, universal, all-encompassing deity. Various forms of monotheism exist, including:

  • Deism is a form of monotheism in which it is believed that one god exists, but that God does not intervene in the world, beyond what was necessary for him to create it (no answering prayers or causing miracles).
  • Pantheism holds that the Universe is God. Depending on how this is understood, such a view may be tantamount to atheism, deism or theism.
  • Panentheism is a form of theism that holds that God contains, but is not identical to, the Universe. This is also the view of Process theology.

In contrast, see Polytheism, which holds that there are many gods. Henotheism and Monolatrism are theological variants of polytheism. Recently some people have termed these beliefs inclusive monotheism (i.e. the belief in many gods, but the worship of just one of them.) Most monotheists would say that, by definition, monotheism is incompatible with polytheism. This is because a belief in multiple gods does not imply the worship of multiple gods. Historically, many polytheists believe in the existence of many gods, but worshipped only one.

The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have traditionally subscribed to exclusive monotheism, although some biblical scholars argue that the phrasing of certain passages such as the commandment not to have other gods before God, are remnants of an earlier inclusive monotheism.

The Christian belief in the Trinity is traditionally considered a form of monotheism, although many Jews, Muslims, and non-Trinitarian Christians would question this classification.