Polytheist Discussion Thread

[The Hindustani State]

Polytheism is simply the belief in more than one supreme deity. Polytheism is an extremely broad term, and polytheistic religions wildly differ, but the majority of polytheists in the world are Hindus at 15% of the global population followed by Buddhists at 7%. 4% of the world’s population subscribes to some Chinese folk religion, generally Polytheistic. In recent years, Pagansim in Europe has been seeing a large revival, especially in countries like Greece and other mediterranean nations, as well as Iceland’s Norse religion.

Many polytheistic religions and sects within said religions place differing importance on deities. A few sects of Hinduism treat Vishnu or Shiva as the supreme deity, with all others being subservient to him, while European Pagan religions have their gods as imperfect human beings, and subject to many mythological stories. This is the general discussion thread for all polytheistic religions.

Some links:
What is polytheism?
Modern paganism
Hinduism
Buddhist deities

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I’ve been very interested in Hinduism for several years, with a special interest in the worship of both Lord Ganesha and Hanuman.

[The Hindustani State]

I’ve been very interested in Hinduism for several years, with a special interest in the worship of both Lord Ganesha and Hanuman.

Huh, Shaivism is the smaller sect, while Ganesha is universally worshipped, special worship of Hanuman is generally a Shaivist practice

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I’ve been very interested in Hinduism for several years, with a special interest in the worship of both Lord Ganesha and Hanuman.

Huh, Shaivism is the small sect, while Ganesha is universally worshipped, special worship of Hanuman is generally a Shaivist practice

So I guess I’m interested in Shaivism. The only reason I don’t convert is because it seems, for what I’ve been told, that many Hindu discourage it for foreigners.

[The Hindustani State]

Huh, Shaivism is the small sect, while Ganesha is universally worshipped, special worship of Hanuman is generally a Shaivist practice

So I guess I’m interested in Shaivism. The only reason I don’t convert is because it seems, for what I’ve been told, that many Hindu discourage it for foreigners.

No, actually converting to Shaivism is much easier than converting to the much bigger sect of Vaishnavism. Although the overall caste system is dying in Hinduism (a good thing), Shaivism never really had a rigid system and thus, the clergy is far more accepting. Most just need to venerate Shiva and recognize Permeshwar as the supreme god

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

So I guess I’m interested in Shaivism. The only reason I don’t convert is because it seems, for what I’ve been told, that many Hindu discourage it for foreigners.

No, actually converting to Shaivism is much easier than converting to the much bigger sect of Vaishnavism. Although the overall caste system is dying in Hinduism (a good thing), Shaivism never really had a rigid system and thus, the clergy is far more accepting. Most just need to venerate Shiva and recognize Permeshwar as the supreme god

It’s easier to become a follower of Shiva than it is of Lord Vishnu?

[Aozora Blu Sky]

I'm curious. . . would you consider your sister religion, Zoroastrianism, to be polytheistic or monotheistic?

[The Hindustani State]

No, actually converting to Shaivism is much easier than converting to the much bigger sect of Vaishnavism. Although the overall caste system is dying in Hinduism (a good thing), Shaivism never really had a rigid system and thus, the clergy is far more accepting. Most just need to venerate Shiva and recognize Permeshwar as the supreme god

It’s easier to become a follower of Shiva than it is of Lord Vishnu?

Converting to Hinduism itself has become much easier for foreigners since the turn of the century, there are even organizations both in and outside of South Asia dedicated to it, you can contact one of these if you’re worried.

Also, all Hindus are “followers” of both Shiva and Vishnu, but Shaivists recognize Parmeshwar as the supreme deity with all others being subservient, while Vaishnavists recognize Vishnu or one of his avatars. Based on your special interest in Ganesha, Shiva’s son, and Hanuman, an avatar of Shiva, you seem to be leaning towards Shaivism

[The Hindustani State]

I'm curious. . . would you consider your sister religion, Zoroastrianism, to be polytheistic or monotheistic?

Zoroastrianism is mixed, but far more monotheistic, since it overwhelmingly values a supreme god, with no other major deities playing an important role

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

It’s easier to become a follower of Shiva than it is of Lord Vishnu?

Converting to Hinduism itself has become much easier for foreigners since the turn of the century, there are even organizations both in and outside of South Asia dedicated to it, you can contact one of these if you’re worried.

Also, all Hindus are “followers” of both Shiva and Vishnu, but Shaivists recognize Parmeshwar as the supreme deity with all others being subservient, while Vaishnavists recognize Vishnu or one of his avatars. Based on your special interest in Ganesha, Shiva’s son, and Hanuman, an avatar of Shiva, you seem to be leaning towards Shaivism

Parmeshwar... why is that name so familiar? This is not the name of the giant that represents the universe, right?

Lord Ganesha... especially in his child form has always evinced a lot of emotions of well being from me. For the better part of a decade.

[The Hindustani State]

Converting to Hinduism itself has become much easier for foreigners since the turn of the century, there are even organizations both in and outside of South Asia dedicated to it, you can contact one of these if you’re worried.

Also, all Hindus are “followers” of both Shiva and Vishnu, but Shaivists recognize Parmeshwar as the supreme deity with all others being subservient, while Vaishnavists recognize Vishnu or one of his avatars. Based on your special interest in Ganesha, Shiva’s son, and Hanuman, an avatar of Shiva, you seem to be leaning towards Shaivism

Parmeshwar... why is that name so familiar? This is not the name of the giant that represents the universe, right?

Parmeshwar is the cosmic form of Shiva which controls the universe, according to Shaivists.

Although as a Vaishnavists, I’m more inclined to believe it’s Vishnu, with Rama being the model of a perfect human being.

Lord Ganesha... especially in his child form has always evinced a lot of emotions of well being from me. For the better part of a decade.

His presence brings senses of protection, which is why most households have him on their front door in India

[Aozora Blu Sky]

I'm curious. . . would you consider your sister religion, Zoroastrianism, to be polytheistic or monotheistic?

Zoroastrianism is mixed, but far more monotheistic, since it overwhelmingly values a supreme god, with no other major deities playing an important role

Would you consider it to be a monotheistic interpretation of Hinduism then?

[Aureumterra]

Norse paganism has indeed been on the rise here lately, although the majority of the people joining seem to be former atheists who just think it’s a cool thing to do, but I have run into a handful of genuine believers in Odin

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Parmeshwar... why is that name so familiar? This is not the name of the giant that represents the universe, right?

Parmeshwar is the cosmic form of Shiva which controls the universe, according to Shaivists.

Although as a Vaishnavists, I’m more inclined to believe it’s Vishnu, with Rama being the model of a perfect human being.

Lord Ganesha... especially in his child form has always evinced a lot of emotions of well being from me. For the better part of a decade.

His presence brings senses of protection, which is why most households have him on their front door in India

Is it a call for believing in one supreme god over the others? I was just reading and that’s the impression I’m getting from the concept of Parmeshawara. I could be misinterpreting it however.

[Jolthig]

A very strict monotheist here. I'm interested in learning about other faiths like Hinduism and other pagan religions through watching or engaging in the discourses in here.

[Nakena]

Norse paganism has indeed been on the rise here lately, although the majority of the people joining seem to be former atheists who just think it’s a cool thing to do, but I have run into a handful of genuine believers in Odin

Would you ever consider it?

[The Hindustani State]

Parmeshwar is the cosmic form of Shiva which controls the universe, according to Shaivists.

Although as a Vaishnavists, I’m more inclined to believe it’s Vishnu, with Rama being the model of a perfect human being.


His presence brings senses of protection, which is why most households have him on their front door in India

Is it a call for believing in one supreme god over the others? I was just reading and that’s the impression I’m getting from the concept of Parmeshawara. I could be misinterpreting it however.

Pretty much, the belief that Parameshwar is superior to all other deities, and praying to him will bring an end to all problems, while still maintaining the importance of other deities and worshipping them when needed

[Farnhamia]

Norse paganism has indeed been on the rise here lately, although the majority of the people joining seem to be former atheists who just think it’s a cool thing to do, but I have run into a handful of genuine believers in Odin

We even have a thread about it!

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Is it a call for believing in one supreme god over the others? I was just reading and that’s the impression I’m getting from the concept of Parmeshawara. I could be misinterpreting it however.

Pretty much, the belief that Parameshwar is superior to all other deities, and praying to him will bring an end to all problems, while still maintaining the importance of other deities and worshipping them when needed

Ah, shukriya for that explanation.

[Aureumterra]

Norse paganism has indeed been on the rise here lately, although the majority of the people joining seem to be former atheists who just think it’s a cool thing to do, but I have run into a handful of genuine believers in Odin

Would you ever consider it?

No, I was born and raised a Christian, and I attend church regularly, I don’t think, unless some cataclysmic event makes me lose faith in God and gain faith in what my ancestors believed, that I will ever convert

[The Hindustani State]

Pretty much, the belief that Parameshwar is superior to all other deities, and praying to him will bring an end to all problems, while still maintaining the importance of other deities and worshipping them when needed

Ah, shukriya for that explanation.

Also, Parameshwar himself is made up of multiple Tattvas (energies), and a follower achieving balance can be reincarnated as part of Brahma himself. So there’s an element of Buddhism too

[Aureumterra]

With the rise of Neo-Paganism also came Neo-Pagan extremism, though, like when Ásatrúarfélagið, a Nordic supremacist organization staged a walk to Þingvellir

[The Hindustani State]

With the rise of Neo-Paganism also came Neo-Pagan extremism, though, like when Ásatrúarfélagið, a Nordic supremacist organization staged a walk to Þingvellir

Every religion has its share of radical

[Hanafuridake]

I’ve been very interested in Hinduism for several years, with a special interest in the worship of both Lord Ganesha and Hanuman.

I'm not a Hindu, but in many Buddhist temples, you can find Ganesha worshiped. In Shingon, he's an avatar of Dainichi Nyorai and known as Kangiten or Shōten. He's one of the principle deities that I worship.

[Demoness]

For the polytheists in this thread don't live in Asia where most of the poll religions originate: what have been your experiences in trying to connect with others (or resources) of your faith?