What are the core differences between monotheistic and polytheistic religions?
The core difference between monotheistic and polytheistic religions lies in their beliefs about the nature of the divine.
Monotheism:
Polytheism:
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
Feature | Monotheism | Polytheism |
---|---|---|
Deity | One supreme God | Multiple gods or deities |
Worship | Exclusive worship of the single God | Worship of multiple deities, often with varying degrees of importance |
Scripture | Often centered around the word of the one God | Mythologies and stories about multiple deities |
Cosmology | Focus on the creation of the universe by a single God | Diverse creation myths and explanations of the universe |
Important Note: These are broad generalizations, and there is significant diversity within both monotheistic and polytheistic traditions