The Origins of Monotheism

[Ethereal]

Was watching a PBS documentary on the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, otherwise known as the Torah, otherwise known as the Jewish Bible. They discussed the origins of monotheism coming from a strain of Canaanite polytheistic religion that King David consolidated into monotheism around 1,000 BC, if I recall correctly.

Politically speaking, the idea of one God for one Jewish nation ruled by one ruler would have made sense from David's perspective. A unitary state and a unitary God are consonant.

Naturally, Christianity and Islam are branched of this monotheistic religious tradition. And for centuries, they have predominated and will probably continue to do so for some time.

But as I've become more interested in "paganism", I find myself wondering if it won't see a revival in the coming years. Much of the theology surrounding the monotheistic religions is seen by many as inconsistent with science, so they have a hard time accepting it except as myths and the like.

Not that pagan religions are any less mythological, but modern practitioners of pagan religion are more inclined to acknowledge the mythological nature of their respective pantheons, whereas monotheistic orthodoxy tends to emphasize the literal nature of their theology.

There are several other reasons why I believe pagan religion will see a revival, but I will leave it at that for now. Just wanted to get some thoughts down to serve as a basis for discussion.

[Peter1469]

Or the various Pagan gods could just be an extremely advanced race(s) of aliens.

[Chris]

QUickly, Judeo-Christianity is the origin of monotheism, and that the origin of universalism, globalism, egalitarianism. Odd when Christianity is also the origin, or one of the origins, the Greeks, Aristotle, of individualism.

Paganism represented a time when people still had local religions and beliefs. Japanese Shintoism is a surviving example.

[donttread]

Was watching a PBS documentary on the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, otherwise known as the Torah, otherwise known as the Jewish Bible. They discussed the origins of monotheism coming from a strain of Canaanite polytheistic religion that King David consolidated into monotheism around 1,000 BC, if I recall correctly.

Politically speaking, the idea of one God for one Jewish nation ruled by one ruler would have made sense from David's perspective. A unitary state and a unitary God are consonant.

Naturally, Christianity and Islam are branched of this monotheistic religious tradition. And for centuries, they have predominated and will probably continue to do so for some time.

But as I've become more interested in "paganism", I find myself wondering if it won't see a revival in the coming years. Much of the theology surrounding the monotheistic religions is seen by many as inconsistent with science, so they have a hard time accepting it except as myths and the like.

Not that pagan religions are any less mythological, but modern practitioners of pagan religion are more inclined to acknowledge the mythological nature of their respective pantheons, whereas monotheistic orthodoxy tends to emphasize the literal nature of their theology.

There are several other reasons why I believe pagan religion will see a revival, but I will leave it at that for now. Just wanted to get some thoughts down to serve as a basis for discussion.

Understanding human nature and the nature of power lust we can guess that at least part of the monotheism push was simply a reason to whip the masses into a frenzy to go kill and die to bring the rulers even more wealth and power. This is also demonstrated by how the three great monotheistic religions are at such odds despite such glaring similarities.

If you really think about it why is the concept of one God so revered while people now shun those who believe in multiple Gods.? I mean if one God can exist so can two, three, etc. Seems like a power division used by those in power to score more power to me. Nothing like "we must stop the Muslim terrorist while making sure to create new generations of terrorist for Exxon glory".
Nothing like that at all.

[Standing Wolf]

I have often thought that those who practice Hinduism have a considerably better, in some ways a more realistic perspective in terms of viewing one's deity or deities. Doctrine in Hinduism is almost as complex and varied as its mythology, but one popular belief in that religion is that God is a single entity called Brahma, and that all of the other "gods" - 3,000 or 3 million, or whatever number you like - are but different aspects of Brahma. The idea that Man could ever comprehend or interact with the true nature of an infinite, all powerful God is foreign to them - as perhaps it should be.

[Green Arrow]

I would agree that paganism will likely make a comeback. I’ve seen and met a lot of people switching to paganism.

[Mister D]

I have often thought that those who practice Hinduism have a considerably better, in some ways a more realistic perspective in terms of viewing one's deity or deities. Doctrine in Hinduism is almost as complex and varied as its mythology, but one popular belief in that religion is that God is a single entity called Brahma, and that all of the other "gods" - 3,000 or 3 million, or whatever number you like - are but different aspects of Brahma. The idea that Man could ever comprehend or interact with the true nature of an infinite, all powerful God is foreign to them - as perhaps it should be.

I'm not so sure of that. Religion has social and political consequences. The social stratification of Hindu society is a direct result of their "more realistic" beliefs. Many Westerners have a superficial fascination with Eastern religion.

Christians, Jews and Muslims do not believe they comprehend the "true nature of an infinite, all powerful God".

[Mister D]

Philosophical paganism or a pagan ethos is a serious position. Dressing up as a druid and hanging out at Stonehenge is silly. These are dead religions we are not so much reviving as reinventing to suit modern tastes. This an important distinction.

[Mister D]

Was watching a PBS documentary on the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, otherwise known as the Torah, otherwise known as the Jewish Bible. They discussed the origins of monotheism coming from a strain of Canaanite polytheistic religion that King David consolidated into monotheism around 1,000 BC, if I recall correctly.

Politically speaking, the idea of one God for one Jewish nation ruled by one ruler would have made sense from David's perspective. A unitary state and a unitary God are consonant.

Naturally, Christianity and Islam are branched of this monotheistic religious tradition. And for centuries, they have predominated and will probably continue to do so for some time.

But as I've become more interested in "paganism", I find myself wondering if it won't see a revival in the coming years. Much of the theology surrounding the monotheistic religions is seen by many as inconsistent with science, so they have a hard time accepting it except as myths and the like.

Not that pagan religions are any less mythological, but modern practitioners of pagan religion are more inclined to acknowledge the mythological nature of their respective pantheons, whereas monotheistic orthodoxy tends to emphasize the literal nature of their theology.

There are several other reasons why I believe pagan religion will see a revival, but I will leave it at that for now. Just wanted to get some thoughts down to serve as a basis for discussion.

Are you drawing a parallel between the rise of the unitary state and monotheism? If so, I don't think this can be upheld historically.

[Common Sense]

QUickly, Judeo-Christianity is the origin of monotheism, and that the origin of universalism, globalism, egalitarianism. Odd when Christianity is also the origin, or one of the origins, the Greeks, Aristotle, of individualism.

Paganism represented a time when people still had local religions and beliefs. Japanese Shintoism is a surviving example.

I agree, but it's really Judaism not Judeo Christianity.

Also, Christianity came after Aristotle and the Ancient Greeks.