Monotheism vs. Polytheism

[Buffett and Colbert]

Well I was wondering what the general opinion is of Monotheism versus Polytheism (I suppose you gathered that from the title though). If you are neither, I still want to hear your opinions on whether which makes more or less sense. The histories and symbolism of each could be brought up, generally different aspects of each to support your opinion.

[Ferrous Oxide]

Seems to me that polytheists might be more tolerant than monotheists.

[Conserative Morality]

I am a monotheist, because it offers so much more hope if your gods aren't constantly fighting and/or having sex with their relatives.

No offense meant to those who are polytheists with gods that do NOT do the above.

[Grave_n_idle]

Polytheism makes more sense. The idea that there is a classification of entity that only has one example makes less sense than the idea that there are multiple entities in that classification.

That's why Christiainity (polytheism) is more popular than Judaism (monotheism).

[Atreath]

I am a monotheist, because it offers so much more hope if your gods aren't constantly fighting and/or having sex with their relatives.

No offense meant to those who are polytheists with gods that do NOT do the above.

To my knowledge they don't really fight each other anymore. What's the point? As for all the wild sex orgies and stuff. Well they view it as a healthy thing.

There is a distinct advantage to being a polytheist. You can always get a second opinion. Perfect for those who don't believe in absolutes.

[Abdju]

I was brought up be strictly monotheistIc once upon a time, but as I see it, that doesn't make any sense, unless the One God was a complete bi-polar schizophrenic who was also a compulsive liar.

In comparison to that, the fighting and metaphorical sex is a walk in the park What's wrong with sex anyway? I have no problem with the concept of Gods bonding in a way we see as sex. It's more a sign of how screwed up we are than Them if we find it hard to swallow, so to speak....

MENTAL...IMAGE...OF...GEB...WON'T...GO...AWAY...

[Jimanistan]

Silliness vs. Silliness.
A religion claiming to know the will of one omniscient deity is just as absurd as one with several.

[Khadgar]

Polytheistic religions are usually fucking awesome. Their gods know how to party.

[Hydesland]

Of the religious theistic approaches, pluralism makes the most sense.

[Romanar]

Polytheists have more interesting stories. Even Zeus (or Odin or Jupiter) could have challengers, and lesser gods can have all sorts of conflicts. The Christian God's only foe is Satan, and God can just tell him to go to Hell. Omnipotence makes boring stories.

[Ifreann]

Polytheism makes more sense. The idea that there is a classification of entity that only has one example makes less sense than the idea that there are multiple entities in that classification.

That's why Christiainity (polytheism) is more popular than Judaism (monotheism).

Christianity isn't really polytheist, though Catholicism has similarities to polytheist religions, with the various saints taking the place of the gods and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the head gods.

[Greed and Death]

Seems to me that polytheists might be more tolerant than monotheists.

Read what Socrates was put to death for.


*hint* more then just corrupting the youth.

[Peach marmalade]

Seems to me that polytheists might be more tolerant than monotheists.

i agree. especially since hinduism claims to encompass most religions, like xtianity. Though, shinto is extremely nationalistic and, though tolerant somewhat of buddhism, Their people were not all that tolerant of other beliefs.

I like the legends and stories from politheistic religions the best, and i like how in the east, they combine local gods and other practices into their belief system, i find it easy to make a well rounded individual in that sense.

[Dempublicents1]

I tend to think that all religions are seeing the same deity, but in different ways. So polytheism, in my mind, is just another way of looking at one deity - finding different aspects of that deity and assigning them personalities of their own. All of the instances of monotheism are different perceptions of the same deity. And so on...

[Peach marmalade]

Polytheism makes more sense. The idea that there is a classification of entity that only has one example makes less sense than the idea that there are multiple entities in that classification.

That's why Christiainity (polytheism) is more popular than Judaism (monotheism).

Christianity isn't really polytheist, though Catholicism has similarities to polytheist religions, with the various saints taking the place of the gods and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the head gods.

I thought xtianity was best classified as henothiestic

[Jordaxia]

Monotheism is better than polytheism. It comes after it in the tech tree in every civ game. How much more obvious does it have to be for you?

[Grave_n_idle]

Polytheism makes more sense. The idea that there is a classification of entity that only has one example makes less sense than the idea that there are multiple entities in that classification.

That's why Christiainity (polytheism) is more popular than Judaism (monotheism).

Christianity isn't really polytheist, though Catholicism has similarities to polytheist religions, with the various saints taking the place of the gods and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the head gods.

The (biggest) Jewish objection to Christianity would be that it places another god before Jehovah god, in the part of (the intercessor) Jesus. They would certainly consider 'the trinity' to be polytheism.

[Grave_n_idle]

Monotheism is better than polytheism. It comes after it in the tech tree in every civ game. How much more obvious does it have to be for you?

Best argument. Ever.

[JarVik]

Polytheistic religions are usually fucking awesome. Their gods know how to party.

Religious people would probably be way more fun and less uptight if their deities had a kegger now and then.

[DMistan]

Polytheism makes more sense. The idea that there is a classification of entity that only has one example makes less sense than the idea that there are multiple entities in that classification.

That's why Christiainity (polytheism) is more popular than Judaism (monotheism).

I thought Christianity was more popular than Judaism because Christianity is a religion with a strong proselytizing tradition seeking converts and cultural transformations whereas Judaism is the covenant between an exclusive hereditary club and that club's one God.

[Kirav]

I feel that Monotheism seems more rational than Polytheism. But I can't prove either. And, as a Monotheist, I am biased.

Most people would argue (and I would agree) that Agnosticism is the most logical theological proposition. Atheism seems to me to be the most rational theological proposition after Agnosticism, but I do not adhere to it in the least.

[Buffett and Colbert]

I personally like the idea of more human Gods. Just like politicians, I want one (or many) that I can sit down and have a beer with!

OK well I usually argue the exact opposite in terms of politicians...

[DMistan]

I personally like the idea of more human Gods. Just like politicians, I want one (or many) that I can sit down and have a beer with!

OK well I usually argue the exact opposite in terms of politicians...

How about this fella?

http://imgur.com/iR9av.jpg

"jesus SMASH!"

"What the FUCK did Fred Phelps say?"

"Don't make me come down there!"

"Chuck Norris may have a fist in place of a chin, but Jesus just whooped his ass!"

"Oh, so THAT's what Jesus would do!"

[New Heliopolis]

Seems to me that polytheists might be more tolerant than monotheists.

You just helped make my day.

[Minnas]

Monotheism is problematic enough, I don't even want to gauge the implications of polytheism in our society...