One of this philosophy’s spokesmen, Edward Gleason Spaulding, explained his philosophy thus: Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. Ra was the sun god and king of all the gods. They used a process called mummification to preserve bodies for the journey into the afterworld. What is the difference between Monotheism and Polytheism? Both words, polytheism and monotheism have Greek language roots. The word "monotheism" comes from the Greek monos, which means "one," and theos, which means "god. “Monotheism” and “polytheism” are recent words, not older than the 17th century . Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires. based on moral absolutism. "Polytheism" was used to contrast these beliefs with Judeo-Christian monotheism. However, they reject the belief, common among monotheists in the West, that this god is immanent—presently active in the created universe. Thus, the term is used to describe belief systems in which several gods are acknowledged and worshiped. 2. *Monotheism preaches a firm and unchanging dualism in matters of morality. The early Egyptian and Hindu religions are regarded as pantheistic, and Taoism is also sometimes considered a pantheistic belief system. Polytheism is the belief in more than one god. In the philosophy of Impersonal Idealism, universal ideals are identified as god. Henotheism is based upon the Greek roots heis or henos, (one), and theos (god). Both belief systems are considered forms of theism. Monotheism differs from polytheism in that it is the belief in a single god or divine being. by Jayaram V. In Hinduism, polytheism and monotheism are like two sides of the same reality. Religious ceremonies were conducted at the temple in the center of the city called the ziggurat. "The concept differs from polytheism, a belief in the existence of many gods, and atheism, the belief that there is no god. Because this type of theism relies so much upon a broad framework of intersecting religious and philosophical inquiry, it is often referred to as “classical theism,” “standard theism,” or “philosophical theism.” Classical/ Philosophical Theism comes in many forms, but in essence, religions falling into this category believe in the supernatural nature of the god or gods that underpin the religious practice. Polytheism and Monotheism. The term polytheism is based on the Greek roots poly (many) and theos (god). Nowadays, the term is essentially used to refer to any belief system in which multiple spirit beings are worshiped. They believed in one god called Ahura Mazda. What is polytheism? Theoretically, there is an infinite variation in what people might mean by the term “God,” but there several common attributes are frequently discussed, in particular among those who come from a Western tradition of religion and philosophy. Hence, agnosticism literally means “without knowledge.” In the context where it is normally used, the term means: without knowledge of the existence of gods. The history of religions, however, indicates many phenomena and concepts that should warn against oversimplification in this matter. Monotheism is a general term for religions that confess to and worship only one god. 3. Monotheism differs from polytheism in that it is the belief in a single god or divine being. The problem in understanding religions in antiquity is not that they did not believe in things or that they lacked faith in the gods and goddesses. Comparing Polytheism and Monotheism. The term appears to have been first used by Julius Wellhausen to described a type of polytheism in which just a single god is worshiped but where other gods are accepted as existing elsewhere. Monotheism (in most cases soft monotheism) became dominant in Western culture through a series of historical quirks, as I understand it. 1660, in explicit juxtaposition with both atheism and polytheism. “One God!” (Heis Tbeos) or “No other gods!” (first commandment)—these are the central mottos of monotheism. However, the word monotheism is a relatively modern one that was coined in the mid-17th century CE by the British philosopher Henry More (1614-1687 CE). These may include gods, goddesses, semi-divine beings, good or evil spirits, or the spirits of departed ancestors. Throughout the course of human history, polytheistic religions of one sort or another have been the dominant majority. It is a paradox, which Hinduism addresses with great subtlety and openness, while some traditions fail to appreciate it or embrace it. The Hebrews and Judaism are also examples of monotheistic religion. A pharaoh was the divine leader and considered both man and god.