What are the three major non-polytheistic religions? *
Answers
Polytheism
What do Odin, Zeus, Ra, Vishnu, and Matres have in common? Each belongs to a group of deities, with worshipers paying homage to multiple deities of varying power. These figures are part of polytheism, or the belief in and worship of many gods. The roots of this word are poly- ('many') and -theism ('gods').
Typically in polytheism, a particular deity is called upon for a specific event, a specific need, or the god's relationship with an area (grape fields, volcanoes, war) or families. Gods would be organized in a Pantheon, or a collection of all of the gods of a group of people. Some examples would be the Norse Pantheon, Greek or Roman Pantheon, Egyptian Pantheon, etc. However, you have to be careful with the Roman Pantheon because it was also a building.
Ancient polytheistic religions are often referred to as mythology, a term that reduces them from the religions that they once were. For example, the Greek Mythology of Zeus, Hera, Athena, Ares and others was once a religion, with priests and priestesses, prophets and followers. But now it has been relegated to fantasy stories of the past.
Today, polytheism is noted for being part of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, as well as contemporary tribal religions in Africa and the Americas. Many of these remain within cultures that have resisted attempts at religious conversion to a monotheistic religion, or have found ways of having the two remain side by side. For example, it is not uncommon in many parts of the world to have several religious buildings near each other.
Which of the 5 major religions are polytheistic?
Ancient Greece.
Buddhism.
Christianity.
Hinduism.
Neopaganism.
Serer.