What Do You Know About Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of only one God. This belief system contrasts with polytheism, which is the belief in multiple gods. Monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, emphasize the worship of a single deity. The concept of monotheism is rooted in the idea that there is one supreme being who created and governs the universe. Therefore, the correct answer is God.

The Rigveda, a sacred text from the Iron Age in South Asia, exhibits the notion of monism and Brahman. Monism refers to the belief in the oneness of all things, while Brahman is the ultimate reality or divine essence in Hindu philosophy. The Rigveda contains hymns and verses that express these concepts, highlighting the interconnectedness of all beings and the divine nature of existence.

The broader definition of monotheism encompasses the traditions of Babism, Bahai faith, and Balinese Hinduism. These traditions all believe in the existence of only one supreme deity, thus aligning with the concept of monotheism. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

Xenophanes and Antisthenes were Greek philosophers who believed in a form of polytheistic monism that was similar to monotheism but not quite the same. They recognized the existence of multiple gods but believed that there was ultimately a single divine entity or principle that governed the universe. This belief system came close to monotheism but fell short because it still acknowledged the presence of multiple gods. Ganapati, on the other hand, is not a Greek philosopher and therefore does not fit the criteria of the question.

Henotheism is the correct answer because it refers to a religious system where the believer worships one god while acknowledging the existence of other gods. This is different from monotheism, which is the belief in and worship of only one god without acknowledging the existence of any other gods. Nepotism and radicalism are unrelated terms and have no relevance to the distinction between monotheism and a religious system where the believer worships one god.

The correct answer is 6th century BCE. This is because Zoroastrians have believed in the supremacy of one God since this time period. This belief in monotheism is a central tenet of Zoroastrianism, which was founded by the prophet Zoroaster in the 6th century BCE. Zoroastrians believe in the existence of one supreme God, Ahura Mazda, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe. This belief in the supremacy of one God has been a fundamental aspect of Zoroastrian religious practice and philosophy since its inception.

Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion, is often described as henotheistic rather than strictly monotheistic. While Ahura Mazda is considered the supreme deity, Zoroastrians also venerate other yazatas, or divine entities, alongside Ahura Mazda. This belief system acknowledges the existence of other divine beings but still recognizes Ahura Mazda as the highest and most powerful. Therefore, Zoroastrianism is not purely monotheistic as it includes the veneration of other yazatas alongside Ahura Mazda.

During the Vedic period, there was a shift in religious beliefs in ancient India, with the emergence of a possible inclination towards monotheism. The Vedic texts, such as the Rigveda, contain hymns and prayers dedicated to various gods and deities, but there are also references to a supreme deity called Brahman. This suggests a belief in a single, all-powerful god, which is a characteristic of monotheism. Therefore, the correct answer is the Vedic period.

Quasi-monotheistic claims of the existence of a universal deity date back to the Late Bronze Age. This refers to a period in history, roughly between 1600 to 1200 BCE, when civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians, Canaanites, and Hittites started to develop beliefs in a single, all-powerful god alongside their traditional polytheistic practices. This shift towards monotheism laid the foundation for later monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Among early Christians, there was considerable debate over the nature of the Godhead. The term "Godhead" refers to the divine nature or essence of God. This debate revolved around questions such as the relationship between God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and whether they were separate entities or different aspects of the same divine being. The concept of the Trinity eventually emerged as the dominant belief, stating that God exists as three persons in one divine essence.