When a person believes in a god or gods, they are a theist. From the root word “theism,” we are able to understand and break down the basis for the two main types of religion; monotheistic and polytheistic. When a person does not believe in a god or gods, they are atheistic; one category of atheism is monistic religions.
Monotheism is the belief in only one god. Monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, believe that God created man and that man became somehow separated from the likeness of God through sin or wrongdoing. Therefore, God created a way for man’s salvation to allow man to return to Him. Historically, monotheistic religions believe in a masculine God and address them as male (Van Voorst, 2013). Christianity, a monotheistic religion, was born from Judaism. Christians believe that one God created man as a likeness of Himself. Man sinned …show more content…
If we were to call the reality God, then God becomes man (Smart, 2016). Therefore since there is only one reality, and we are man, we are also God. Pantheism would be an example of a monistic religion. As mentioned, Christianity is based on the Holy Trinity. This concept, of a god who exists and is present in three different manifestations, lends itself to polytheism. And Hinduism, with one god, who is the most powerful and from whom all the others receive their deity, could be argued as a monotheistic religion. Furthermore, Christians seek to be as “Christ like” as possible; their goal of attaining everlasting life could be argued as godlike. This mindset aligns with a monistic religion where everything becomes one.
Often, the lines between monotheistic and polytheistic and monistic religions are blurred. There is no one true way to define a religion as one or the other. Rather, examining every religion and understanding that they are fluid and ever changing is a more appropriate approach to understanding faith rather than trying to categorize
Monotheism is the belief in only one god. Monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, believe that God created man and that man became somehow separated from the likeness of God through sin or wrongdoing. Therefore, God created a way for man’s salvation to allow man to return to Him. Historically, monotheistic religions believe in a masculine God and address them as male (Van Voorst, 2013). Christianity, a monotheistic religion, was born from Judaism. Christians believe that one God created man as a likeness of Himself. Man sinned …show more content…
If we were to call the reality God, then God becomes man (Smart, 2016). Therefore since there is only one reality, and we are man, we are also God. Pantheism would be an example of a monistic religion. As mentioned, Christianity is based on the Holy Trinity. This concept, of a god who exists and is present in three different manifestations, lends itself to polytheism. And Hinduism, with one god, who is the most powerful and from whom all the others receive their deity, could be argued as a monotheistic religion. Furthermore, Christians seek to be as “Christ like” as possible; their goal of attaining everlasting life could be argued as godlike. This mindset aligns with a monistic religion where everything becomes one.
Often, the lines between monotheistic and polytheistic and monistic religions are blurred. There is no one true way to define a religion as one or the other. Rather, examining every religion and understanding that they are fluid and ever changing is a more appropriate approach to understanding faith rather than trying to categorize