Comparative Religious Studies: Montheism
Monotheism encompasses a small number of religions, but a large population of followers. The idea of monotheism is the concept of a singular, monolithic, omni God. Of all views of religion, the concept of a monotheistic solution comes closest to a realistic description of what a God would, or should be.
First, and foremost, the idea of an omni-God gives us the ability to provide for a pre-creation entity that has both the impetus and the ability to create. A force which exists as a part of the universe, must have – as a necessity – come into existence with that universe. This type of origin discounts the primary need for an uncaused, first cause. By the same token, spirits of men are just that. For these spirits to exist, man must have existed; animals must have already come into being. Because we do not pre-date creation, but are necessarily tied to creation, it seems unreasonable that our spirit, or even animal spirits, could have caused the creation of this universe.
Second, and omni-God does not need a precursor, or progenitor. In the simplest logic, only those things that have a beginning, require a “beginner.” A timeless, spaceless, massless being requires no beginning by definition, and therefore does not need anything to cause it to exist.
Third, the idea of many Gods doesn’t fit an ordered, or orderly universe. Many gods with different interests, ideas and goals can’t possibly work within the precision that is required of the creation of this universe. If the specific gravity of this universe been off by more than a tiny fraction at the moment of creation, the universe would not have been formed. Add this to the multiple complexities of the universe and you have a problem with multiple gods with divergent wills.
Additionally, all representations of multiple gods give us explanations for natural processes, but do not explain supernatural processes. In fact, the very nature, the personality, of most of these representations of god-hood, reflect human traits more than a divine, supernatural set of traits. Among those human traits is forgetfulness, and a lack of knowledge. Imagine if the god in charge of the asteroid belt were to be distracted from his duties for a period of time.
A singular entity, with a singular will and purpose best fits the ability to create and maintain an orderly universe.
Finally, a monotheistic approach to deity fits with the most antique of all religions. If we are to track religions back into history, we find that among those ancient religions is certainly monotheism. In fact, we find physical evidence for the monotheistic beliefs of the God of Abraham (L, or Elohim aka YHVH, or Jehovah) in the form of inscriptions in quarry caves in Northern Egypt dating back nearly 3500 years, or more. If the claims of the Israelites are even close to being true, we find that these beliefs go back as far as nearly seven thousand years.
At the very least, the religions spawned by the Abrahamic God pre-date many polytheistic religions, certain pantheistic religions, and coexist with all types of religions. The idea that mankind “evolved” religion from spiritism on towards monotheism is simply not true, and, as we have argued here, is actually backwards of reality. One can make an excellent case for the idea that monotheism came first, and all other religions followed after.
However, because we have this monolithic category known as monotheism, doesn’t mean that we can clump all of these religions into the same basket. Among the monotheistic religions there are some very distinct and unique belief systems. Over the next few posts we will explore the world’s monotheistic religions; Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, and Mormonism.
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