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| *] holds that the ] is God. Depending on how this is understood, such a view may be tantamount to atheism, deism or theism. | *] holds that the ] is God. Depending on how this is understood, such a view may be tantamount to atheism, deism or theism. | ||
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| *] 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 ]. | ||
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.
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- 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.