Polytheism

Polytheism is the belief in or worship of more than one god. It is a specific type of theism, which is the general belief in gods. In polytheistic systems, deities are usually organized into a pantheon. A pantheon is a group of gods and goddesses that belong together.

These gods may represent different forces of nature or ancestral principles. Some people view these gods as completely independent beings. Others see them as different parts or expressions of a single creator or a supreme principle. This idea is found in monistic, panentheistic, or pantheistic theologies.

There are several ways people practice polytheism. Not every believer worships every god in a pantheon equally. A monolatrist is someone who specializes in the worship of only one particular deity. A kathenotheist is someone who worships different gods at different specific times. Some people practice henotheism, which means they worship one supreme god while still believing other gods exist. This position is sometimes also called monolatry. A person might choose which gods to focus on based on their job, their family, or their personal experiences.

Modern practitioners often divide their beliefs into "soft" and "hard" polytheism. Soft polytheism suggests that gods are psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. In this view, gods might be interchangeable across different cultures. This is sometimes called omnitheism. For example, a person might see Odin, Zeus, and Indra as different names for the same essential god. Hard polytheism is different. Hard polytheists believe that gods are distinct, separate, and real divine beings. They reject the idea that all gods are actually one single essence.

Deities in polytheistic traditions are often described as anthropomorphic. This means they have human-like personality traits, such as desires, needs, and histories. However, they also possess extraordinary powers and knowledge. Gods can be categorized into different types based on their roles. Some are creator deities, while others are culture heroes or trickster deities. There are also solar deities, lunar deities, and water deities. Some gods are celestial, meaning they belong to the sky. Others are chthonic, meaning they are connected to the earth or the underworld.

Polytheism has a long and documented history. It was the typical form of religion before the spread of the Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Records show polytheism in ancient Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia. It was also central to ancient Greek and Roman religions. Other groups, like the Germanic, Slavic, and Baltic peoples, practiced polytheism. Even Native American religions have polytheistic roots. The term "polytheism" comes from the Greek words "poly," meaning many, and "theos," meaning god. The Jewish writer Philo of Alexandria coined the term to argue with the Greeks.

In ancient Greece, the Twelve Olympians were a famous group of gods.

This group included Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Ares, Demeter, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Hestia. The Greek philosopher Epicurus had a unique view of these beings. He believed the gods were material but incorruptible beings. He thought they lived in the spaces between worlds and did not interfere in human affairs. This shows how even within a polytheistic culture, different thinkers had very different ideas about how gods functioned.

Many polytheistic traditions continue in the world today. Notable examples include Shinto, Taoism, and Santería. Many Traditional African religions are also polytheistic. Some people also practice neopagan faiths like Wicca or Hellenism. Hinduism is a complex example that is often called polytheistic. However, it is actually an umbrella term for many different ideologies. Some Hindus are monotheists, while others are panentheists or monists. In the Vedanta school, Brahman is the sole ultimate reality. Yet, Hindus can reach unity with Brahman by worshipping many different deities.

Polytheism often connects to animism, which is the belief in spirits in nature. In many folk religions, gods are seen as the highest level of a long line of supernatural beings. This line might include ancestors, demons, or other spirits. These folk religions are often found in the Asia-Pacific region. They frequently lack organized priesthoods or formal sacred texts. Because they are often tied to local land and culture, they can overlap with other religions. This shows how deeply these diverse beliefs are woven into the history of human culture.