Polytheism or monotheism

[EverChanging]

I'm not sure how much it would affect the society other than maybe polytheists are more tolerant of others' gods.

But this distinction between monotheism and polytheism is not so clear-cut. Some claim to be monotheistic, but they think all gods are valid in that they are aspects of the one. And many claiming to be polytheists say the same. The difference lies not in belief with some people, but in practice (that is, do you pray to one god or many, whether or not you consider all gods one?)

Trinitarian Christianity is not itself monotheistic in the strict sense that modern Judaism and Islam are monotheistic. There is a plurality in the Godhead.

Roman Catholicism is even more polytheistic than trinitarian Protestantism (regardless of what they may claim to the contrary.) They "venerate" (to all appearances worship) the Virgin Mary and pray to saints who have specialized areas of expertise. Pray to St. Anthony for lost objects or St. Joseph for purity. There are saints of television, swans, cats, poetry, and on and on and on. And this all occurs in a faith that is supposedly monotheistic.

So these lines between monotheism and polytheism aren't so clear and defined, as the original post seems to assume.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Depending on what versions of the stories you hear, Shiva and Krishna can be violent rapists. Is rape an act of mercy? I scincerly hope not.

Could you show me were krishna or shiva is said to be a rapist in any of the Hindu scripture.

 

[Madhuri]

I think the comment about monism was good. Monist philosophy seems like it would help to establish and maintain ideas of equality and peace.

 

[Antibush5]

Could you show me were krishna or shiva is said to be a rapist in any of the Hindu scripture.

Well in one version of the creation of Ganesha, Ganesha was created to stop Shiva coming into the baths while his consort bathed, to stop him from having sex with her, I doubt she would need a guard to stop him if it was consensual.Also from a vague recolection, Krishna used to rape some of the milk maidens, when he worked as a herder.

 

[Madhuri]

Well in one version of the creation of Ganesha, Ganesha was created to stop Shiva coming into the baths while his consort bathed, to stop him from having sex with her, I doubt she would need a guard to stop him if it was consensual.Also from a vague recolection, Krishna used to rape some of the milk maidens, when he worked as a herder.

Erm, which scriptures?
Ganesh is Shiva's son.

 

[Antibush5]

Erm, which scriptures?
Ganesh is Shiva's son.

well the one about Krishna, I think may be in the Bhagavad Gita. But they are mostly just the versions of the myths I was told, by some Gurkha army officers.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Well in one version of the creation of Ganesha, Ganesha was created to stop Shiva coming into the baths while his consort bathed, to stop him from having sex with her, I doubt she would need a guard to stop him if it was consensual.Also from a vague recolection, Krishna used to rape some of the milk maidens, when he worked as a herder.

Shiva did not rape the Divine Mother and if he tried she would kick his butt. Remember she turns into Durga and Kali at will. She was p*****d off with him because he was ascitic covered in ash and was an impolite sadhu. Always going away to do Tapas, then coming home and making demands. This is a reoccurring theme in some Shiva Texts. Its also a problem for any married couple I know were one partner spends hours every day doing spiritual practice.

Krishna was in the woods and he played his flute and all the women (Gopis) came in to the woods to become one with him. There was no rape.

Even the Demon Ravana did not rape women. He Kidnaped them, and then seduced them. Rape was even below most Demons. Kill and eat women maybe they were also very found of dumping there entrails on the sages fire rituals. I can't think of any rapes. I can think of a few attempts buy bad humans.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

well the one about Krishna, I think may be in the Bhagavad Gita. But they are mostly just the versions of the myths I was told, by some Gurkha army officers.

Its not in that book.

 

[Madhuri]

well the one about Krishna, I think may be in the Bhagavad Gita. But they are mostly just the versions of the myths I was told, by some Gurkha army officers.

In the BG Krishna is speaking to Arjuna. In no part does he tell Arjuna "I rape women" or anything of that meaning.
I'd be careful to have my sources checked out before making that sort of statement, especially if that idea ends up being from some literature that is not even Vedic.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

The Hindu myths can't be taken literally I don't think, because while all these stories about Ganesha's birth might exist, can you say that Ganesha was literally born at anytime? Devotees of Ganesha would disagree. They would say he is the Creator, the firstborn of Brahman, etc. Antibush not all take myths so literally. I'd hardly assume that.

 

[Antibush5]

The Hindu myths can't be taken literally I don't think, because while all these stories about Ganesha's birth might exist, can you say that Ganesha was literally born at anytime? Devotees of Ganesha would disagree. They would say he is the Creator, the firstborn of Brahman, etc. Antibush not all take myths so literally. I'd hardly assume that.

We have completely gone off topic here. Senedjem, which do you think would make a better society? A polytheistic religion or a monothiestic one? I am not including monists and various other ones because it could really get confusing.

 

[Sunstone]

Polytheism reflects the diversity of nature in a way monotheism simply doesn't.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

We have completely gone off topic here. Senedjem, which do you think would make a better society? A polytheistic religion or a monothiestic one? I am not including monists and various other ones because it could really get confusing.

Polytheists, because they are more tolerant.

P.S.- You really should consider Monists as part of the equation though, especially since some religions come down to us from ancient times are Monist in their view of God, and not just Kemetic belief- also Hindu/ Sanatan Dharma

 

[Vishnu_Dasan]

Depending on what versions of the stories you hear, Shiva and Krishna can be violent rapists. Is rape an act of mercy? I scincerly hope not.

Pathetic.

 

[Vishnu_Dasan]

Well in one version of the creation of Ganesha, Ganesha was created to stop Shiva coming into the baths while his consort bathed, to stop him from having sex with her, I doubt she would need a guard to stop him if it was consensual.Also from a vague recolection, Krishna used to rape some of the milk maidens, when he worked as a herder.

Uh... you mean that when Parvati was bathing while Shiva was away, so she moulded a young boy, Ganesha, and made Him, Her guard outside her bathing area.

When Shiva came back, naturally being the husband, He wanted to enter into His home but was blocked by the boy, Ganesha. So he asked Ganesha to leave, but Ganesha was adamant and remain firm footed obstructing the path. So Shiva, loses His patience, had Ganesha decapitated.

Shiva did not do so to "rape" His own consort. He did not know the identity of the boy.

When Shiva sees Parvati, He learns of what happened and tries to revive Ganesha.

No "rape" involved here.

You just being anti-Hindu.

Krishna never raped anyone. Do you know what rape is? Sexual intercourse without consent.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Which makes for a better society?
I decided to ask this because I am bored of the same old concepts of "God this" and "Abrahamic concept that", what if we argued about a more diverse religious setting?
so I thought, why not ask which makes a better society? Well I say that it depends on what you class as a better society, polytheistic societies, tend to be a bit lacking in the mercy department, but much more accepting of differences. While monotheistic ones can be about mercy, but tend to not be as accepting to difference.

How about I take the side monotheism, since nobody else will. It is Christian Monotheism that gave birth to the Renaissance and to the Enlightenment. It is the concepts of freedom and liberty that makes a just society. Scientific method made it possible for humans to better understand the world they live in. Christian monotheism is the grand parent of these importent ideals.

 

[evolved yet?]

I don't think it matters whether mono or poly, it matters what the scriptures allow for. The Abrahamic scriptures are full of violence, and many people have taken advantage of this to cause violence. But it would be wrong to say that polytheistic societies have not also been responsible for mass bloodshed. Just look at the Roman empire.

So how peaceful a society is really does not relate to whether it holds that only one God exists or many, imo.

The official religion of the ancient roman empire later in the time of Byzantine was Christian, hence Roman Catholic.

 

[evolved yet?]

How about I take the side monotheism, since nobody else will. It is Christian Monotheism that gave birth to the Renaissance and to the Enlightenment. It is the concepts of freedom and liberty that makes a just society. Scientific method made it possible for humans to better understand the world they live in. Christian monotheism is the grand parent of these importent ideals.

Well they also gave us the dark ages.( Look it up).

 

[Twig pentagram]

Which makes for a better society?
I decided to ask this because I am bored of the same old concepts of "God this" and "Abrahamic concept that", what if we argued about a more diverse religious setting?
so I thought, why not ask which makes a better society? Well I say that it depends on what you class as a better society, polytheistic societies, tend to be a bit lacking in the mercy department, but much more accepting of differences. While monotheistic ones can be about mercy, but tend to not be as accepting to difference.

It is the people that make the society. It dose'nt really matter how many gods they choose to believe in.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Well they also gave us the dark ages.( Look it up).

You could make an argument that it was the Barbarians destroying the Roman Empire that started the dark ages. Many of these barbaric tribes were not Christian but were converted to it later.