Intolerance of Polytheism: Why?

[Audie]

As far as i have heard from christians, atheism is bad, because atheism will lead people to believe in Zeus, and according to christians, Zeus is EVIL.

That is just weird. Believe in Zeus?

 

[syo]

That is just weird. Believe in Zeus?

Yup. According to christians, Zeus is fake. So, atheists will embrace the fakes.

 

[Audie]

Yup. According to christians, Zeus is fake. So, atheists will embrace the fakes.

You must know some extra dumb christians.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Pluralism - or the acceptance that many traditions have good ideas or valid approaches to life and living - is prevalent in English-speaking cultures today. However, in spite of relatively tolerant and pluralistic attitudes, it seems there is still a very persistent prejudice against polytheism. This is very sad to see, and I can't help but wonder why. Perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising when there's still very persistent prejudice against, say, atheism, but the prejudice against polytheism gets substantially less attention or discussion. In most cases, it is still simply granted that polytheism is simply bad, primitive, or not viable as theological approach.

Why is this prejudice so persistent? What is with the hatred and misconceptions of polytheism in the modern era when we really ought to know better by now?

I think a lot of it comes down to numbers. Not that many monotheists actually know an "out" polytheist, so many people aren't going to put a human face on polytheism.

In English-speaking countries a few decades ago, it was the same with Islam and Hinduism in the West. Now with greater diversity here, these religions aren't just some faceless abstraction.

As with atheism, I think that the more polytheists are out and visible, the better things will get for polytheists. When you get to the point where, when someone hears "polytheist," they picture their sister-in-law or Steve in Accounting, things will be better than when they picture ancient Greeks or the like.

 

[danieldemol]

If people are unknowing, uncaring, or uncertain about their views of a supernatural presence in the universe, it's simply easier and seemingly more likely to believe in one entity versus many. In other words, if I'm not convinced of one true Creator of everything, why would I embrace something even more complex and harder to prove?

Although I'm a monotheist, I question why an omnimax deity is less complex than a number of powers that are not ultimate powers. The omnimax deity raises the question of the problem of evil. In polytheism this doesn't seem to be a problem that there is a competing power of evil amongst other non ultimate powers.

In my view, the burden of proof of any religious belief system is on the faiths' founder(s) and underlying scriptures. Here, the Christian's Bible excels above all others. For example, while the Hindu Vedas may have some historical accuracy like the Bible, and maybe even some similar manuscript authority, they don't have specific, verified, fulfilled prophesy. This alone distinguishes Christianity and the Bible from all of the world's other religions and scriptures.

Actually some of us here at the forum have thouroughly deconstructed, dissected and disproven this arguement in the thread - How To Make a Believable Prophecy Your welcome.

Finally, presence of a supernatural creator can be shown with a preponderance of scientific evidence that we now have. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's much if any scientific evidence supporting the notion of multiple creators. Thus, a prejudice against polytheism is justified from both a Biblical and scientific view point. Maybe that's why it's not readily accepted by the vast majority of Americans.

Actually it is possible for me to create things and for you to create things - there is already evidence of multiple creators. But laying that aside, what makes you think all the polytheist gods are creator gods? Also in spite of being a monotheist myself, I must stress that there is zero scientific evidence for any supernatural creator, even one.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Pluralism - or the acceptance that many traditions have good ideas or valid approaches to life and living - is prevalent in English-speaking cultures today. However, in spite of relatively tolerant and pluralistic attitudes, it seems there is still a very persistent prejudice against polytheism. This is very sad to see, and I can't help but wonder why. Perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising when there's still very persistent prejudice against, say, atheism, but the prejudice against polytheism gets substantially less attention or discussion. In most cases, it is still simply granted that polytheism is simply bad, primitive, or not viable as theological approach.

Why is this prejudice so persistent? What is with the hatred and misconceptions of polytheism in the modern era when we really ought to know better by now?

Anyone remotely acquainted with the Hebrew Bible will recognise the strong emphasis on worshipping Yahweh and the strenuous efforts to resist worshipping competing Gods. The Ten Commandments, for example emphasise the worship of God and having no other gods. Jesus reinforced these basic Teachings. Muhammad too had a similar scorched earth approach to the polytheistic pagans of His day which is readily apparent from even the most basic study of the Quran. Jews, Christians and Muslims are people of the book. Most people from these religions will reject polytheism and the existence of gods other than the God of Abraham. That doesn’t mean there can’t be civility, fellowship and mutual respect between the two groups. It would be naive however to expect the monotheistic faiths to accept polytheism as an equally valid paradigm as monotheism anytime soon.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

In other words, if I'm not convinced of one true Creator of everything, why would I embrace something even more complex and harder to prove?

I don't know if has to be as complicated , if you look at it in a simpler way. One way to see it, is that you simply connect a physical actor directly with a metaphysical operator. The deer is generated by the deer spirit. The trout, the trout spirit.. etc. With monotheism, you have to draw a line from any of those things all the way back to a supreme engineer. This could arguably be something harder to detect and relate too, and might give reality an illusive quality that becomes a bit overmuch

If there is a single unifying element of higher reality, it probably would best be explained as the sum of all collective works by the human mind. Every thought that Human ever had, in other words, all goes into the same salad which we call History .. Arguably, History itself is a deity. And that encompasses the exploration of any religion , biblical or otherwise , where Human's mind has set foot. Therefore, explore your Christianity, if that is what you feel the need to do

 

[blü 2]

Pluralism - or the acceptance that many traditions have good ideas or valid approaches to life and living - is prevalent in English-speaking cultures today. However, in spite of relatively tolerant and pluralistic attitudes, it seems there is still a very persistent prejudice against polytheism. This is very sad to see, and I can't help but wonder why. Perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising when there's still very persistent prejudice against, say, atheism, but the prejudice against polytheism gets substantially less attention or discussion. In most cases, it is still simply granted that polytheism is simply bad, primitive, or not viable as theological approach.

Why is this prejudice so persistent? What is with the hatred and misconceptions of polytheism in the modern era when we really ought to know better by now?

You think the Trinity ISN'T polytheism?

Even the churches admit their "Trinity doctrine" is incoherent. They just don't want to admit what else it is.

And how many 'saints' can you pray to in the RCC? Something well over 10,000?

 

[JoshuaTree]

Weirdly, Christians won't admit that their faith is
full of lesser gods besides their big guy.

Lesser gods can never be in control, right?

 

[Audie]

Lesser gods can never be in control, right?

Total control?
Does it matter?
Greeks had one boss God, lots of
lesser ones.
Monotheistic or...?

 

[Harel13]

Pluralism - or the acceptance that many traditions have good ideas or valid approaches to life and living - is prevalent in English-speaking cultures today. However, in spite of relatively tolerant and pluralistic attitudes, it seems there is still a very persistent prejudice against polytheism. This is very sad to see, and I can't help but wonder why. Perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising when there's still very persistent prejudice against, say, atheism, but the prejudice against polytheism gets substantially less attention or discussion. In most cases, it is still simply granted that polytheism is simply bad, primitive, or not viable as theological approach.

Why is this prejudice so persistent? What is with the hatred and misconceptions of polytheism in the modern era when we really ought to know better by now?

I know you're writing this as an argument for the sake of your religious beliefs, but you assume two things: a. That everyone considers pluralism, in particular, all-encompassing pluralism, which is what you're talking about here, as a central value of society. b. That everyone "ought to know better" with regards to polytheism.

And here's the problem, in my opinion: a. While much of the West is becoming more and more secular every day, nonetheless, it's still very much rooted in Christian ideas. Many Westerners are Christian. If you sat down with a Christian for a discussion and asked them whether these two things you assume they should believe in exist in Christianity, there's a very good chance they'll say no. Christianity doesn't argue for all-encompassing pluralism. It argues for truth. One path, nothing more. b. Christianity certainly isn't in favor of the open polytheism you argue for. c. The exact same thing can be said about the Muslims, both in the East and West. d. Likewise for religious Jews.

What does that leave us with? A big chunk of civilization that disagrees with your assumptions.

Which brings up a slight possible paradox: Would those that argue for pluralism respect Christian/Muslim/Jewish views that value truth?

 

[Audie]

You think the Trinity ISN'T polytheism?

Even the churches admit their "Trinity doctrine" is incoherent. They just don't want to admit what else it is.

And how many 'saints' can you pray to in the RCC? Something well over 10,000?

And good old Satan, strong enough to challenge the boss.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

f you sat down with a Christian for a discussion and asked them whether these two things you assume they should believe in exist in Christianity, there's a very good chance they'll say no. Christianity doesn't argue for all-encompassing pluralism. It argues for truth. One path, nothing more.

The issue is , that we are sitting here with all of Christian History to survey. Can we say, judging by the vast expansive of human thought on who the monotheistic God is, that a random person in the 300's worshiped the same God as a person does in the 1500's? We can see that people have put the concept through production , and we are left with a treasure trove of monotheistic 'sets.' I say that it is commendable , as it shows our creative and intellectual mastery of the exercise.

 

[Bear Wild]

Would those that argue for pluralism respect Christian/Muslim/Jewish views that value truth?

Absolutely they would! They have their views about truth and others have different views. If we are to live a a society that must tolerate each other then we need to accept that there are different ways of coming to the truth and to celebrate religion.
Unfortunately Christianity has not been known for its tolerance. Catholics with their retention of pagan rituals, protestant heretics for trying to deny authority, Jew's who killed Christ, Mormons who have to have multiple wives, Muslims who want to take over and are savages, Quakers who are just crazy (grew up Quaker), and so on and so on. Went to college in South Carolina only to witness Christian intolerance and not to mention the snake handlers in the mountain area who actually passed out poisonous snakes and only a sinner would be bitten. That said there are many Christians who are tolerant. Unfortunately on the US we are seeing a new surge of intolerance.
Polytheists tend to be on the liberal aspect of human behavior (not all) and pluralism is much more acceptable. Interesting there are differences in neurologic patterns with respect to the amygdala and fear response in conservatives and liberals.

Do you believe in accepting a pluralistic view on religion and accepting differences in belief or ritual or is there only one way?

 

[Jainarayan]

While much of the West is becoming more and more secular every day, nonetheless, it's still very much rooted in Christian ideas. Many Westerners are Christian.

True. The US is overwhelmingly Christian... 205 million, 2/3 of the population. People say it’s a Christian country, founded on Christianity, etc. That’s not true, it’s a country of Christians but not a Christian country.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

As far as i have heard from christians, atheism is bad, because atheism will lead people to believe in Zeus, and according to christians, Zeus is EVIL.

So? Christianity leads people to believe in Satan, and Satan is evil. What's the difference?

(By the way, since Satan is essentially equivalent to another god, that's what makes Christianity polytheistic.)

 

[loverofhumanity]

Pluralism - or the acceptance that many traditions have good ideas or valid approaches to life and living - is prevalent in English-speaking cultures today. However, in spite of relatively tolerant and pluralistic attitudes, it seems there is still a very persistent prejudice against polytheism. This is very sad to see, and I can't help but wonder why. Perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising when there's still very persistent prejudice against, say, atheism, but the prejudice against polytheism gets substantially less attention or discussion. In most cases, it is still simply granted that polytheism is simply bad, primitive, or not viable as theological approach.

Why is this prejudice so persistent? What is with the hatred and misconceptions of polytheism in the modern era when we really ought to know better by now?

It really should not matter to others what you believe and you should just be accepted as an equal human bring.

 

[Deidre]

I think from a monotheist view, it's not that you're taught to ''hate'' polytheism, but you're taught that it's not a true theistic belief. Not sure if there's more hatred towards polytheism than any other spiritual belief system, or religion. I'd say religion as a whole is struggling these days to stay relevant.

 

[blü 2]

And good old Satan, strong enough to challenge the boss.

Yup ─ and never forget the BVM. That's a pantheon of five.

 

[Heyo]

Which brings up a slight possible paradox: Would those that argue for pluralism respect Christian/Muslim/Jewish views that value truth?

Pagans are inherently more tolerant than monotheists. They already have multiple gods, they can live with just one more.
But the idea of religious pluralism and freedom of religion is a Christian one. The founding fathers agreed upon it to prevent that the many sects are at each others throats all the time. An insight modern monotheists should remember.