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Definition:
Polytheism is a system in which a plurality of gods are acknowledged and/or worshipped (poly = many,
multiple; theism = belief in god[s]). Typically, any individual god is a member
of a larger, coherent group (called a pantheon) rather than being totally separate
and unrelated. Polytheism usually involves belief in the several gods of a particular
national culture. It is also typical that each individual god represents a unique
value, personifies some aspect of humanity, and/or maintains stewardship over some
facet of nature.
Thus there are gods of fertility, of rivers, of health, and even of anger. Within polytheism, an adherent wishing to obtain something (fertility, health) or survive something (river crossing) prays to that particular god rather than to others who do not have dominion in that area.
Although polytheistic systems postulate a coherent group, this does not mean that they do not acknowledge the existence of outside gods. When faced with gods from other cultures and religions, there are usually three different responses. One is to claim that some or all of the outside gods are really the same as the gods currently worshipped, just with different names. Any new aspects or powers are simply incorporated into the older gods.
A second response is take some of the new gods and adopt them as new members of the pantheon. A final response is to accept that the other gods exist, but not worship them in any active manner. Because polytheistic systems are accepting of the existence of gods from other religions and cultures, polytheism has tended to offer more religious freedom than monotheism has.
The modern scientific view can reject polytheism due to its incompatibility with our understanding of nature. If there were different gods in charge of all the different aspects of reality, then we shouldn't necessarily have a set of natural laws which are common to all parts of reality. Scientific order would find no basis if multiple gods were working at potentially cross purposes. A modified polytheism might be theoretically possible, if we imagine a committee of unknown gods created the universe.
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Alternate Spellings: none
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Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.
