Polytheism, or belief in more that one God, is polytheism. This pantheon usually consists of religious sects or rituals and is distinct from monotheism, which is the belief in a single God. Let's look at the origins of polytheism, its common deities and their relationship to monotheism.
Ancient forms of polytheism
The idea of polytheism evolved over the course of history. We are all familiar with the polytheistic gods of Greek mythology. These stories were preserved as epic poems, visual arts, and plays. Ancient Greeks believed that there were many gods. Each represented a different aspect of the cosmos or human experience. Although initially the gods were associated with natural processes, later they were linked to experiences that were more specific to humankind.
Polytheism is a form of ancient religion that was well-developed. Many cultures rely on multiple gods for a productive and healthy life. In multiple places, the Bible even mentions it. Ancient Egyptians believed in thousands and even millions of gods. There are several references to them in Scripture.
Common deities
A long history exists of belief in many divine beings. Rituals were used to protect them. However, as time passed, these beliefs changed and merged into one supreme being, or deus Otiosus. Some scholars claim that this is due in part to urmonotheismus. It is the original monotheism which then becomes polytheism.
Polytheists often find the idea of a shared god in ancient cultures. The concept of a common deity in a polytheistic system is often a good one, but it can also create a variety of sub-faiths that differ in the ways they worship their gods. Some polytheists practice henotheism which focuses worship on one god. Others practice kathenotheism which worships many gods at once.
Evolution of polytheistic religions
Polytheism, or the belief in more than one god, is a fundamental religious phenomenon, though it has not received as much attention as it deserves. It is typically found in advanced cultures - literate societies, but occasionally, it appears in non-literate cultures, such as the Yoruba people in West Africa and Mesoamerican pre-Conquest religions. Polytheism, despite its recent history, has many historical manifestations.
Monotheism is a belief in one God. Polytheism is a characteristic of nearly all religions. The ancient Greek language term "polytheism" means "many gods". This term is different from monotheism (which is a belief that one god is all there is).
Relationship between monotheism & polytheism
Polytheism derives its name from the Greek words polys, which means many, and theos, which refers to God. This term refers only to belief systems that believe in more than one god. The popularity of polytheistic religions has been a hallmark of human history. All religions, from Greek to Roman to Norse, were polytheistic.
Polytheism is often described as a blunted pyramid that has space at its top for the pantheon. This could include the Hindu trinity and the Greek, Roman, or Nordic Gods. The gods in polytheism are linked to the human beings. In monotheism the gods can be unconnected or separated.