Download Polytheism

Polytheism
A BELIEF IN MANY DEITIES
Polytheism is…
…the belief in many deities
• A deity is a supernatural being of
significant power
• “Polytheism” is from the Greek:
 poly = many
 theo = deities

Many scholars believe that
polytheism evolved from animistic
beliefs
•Animism was the
belief in many spiritual
forces, some friendly
and some hostile
•Over time, these
spirits were seen to
have more complicated
and individual
personalities

These
deities, or
“gods,”
have
individual
skills,
needs,
desires, and
histories


They often have
humanlike
personalities, but
with additional
powers or
abilities
It was easy for
humans to
understand these
personalities


The deities would argue, fight,
have children, play games– all
the things that humans do
Complex mythologies evolved as
humans imagined the deities
interacting with each other

These myths and legends could
be used to explain natural
phenomena such as the seasons
or the creation of the world
Polytheistic Religions

Many ancient societies had
polytheistic religions:
• Classical Greece and Rome
• Ancient Egypt
• Vikings
• Aztecs
• Ancient India (Hinduism)
Hinduism


Hinduism is a modern religion founded
thousands of years ago in India
It is still practiced today, and is a form
of polytheism
Percentages of Hindus today by country
Hinduism
1. Most Hindus believe that there
is one divine power called
Brahman
2. Brahman is then divided into
numerous deities
Hinduism compared to other
religions…




Doesn’t have a single founder, date
(est. 3500 B.C.E.)
Vedas is the holy book (“Book of
Knowledge”)
Doesn’t have a concept of a prophet
DOES have a trinity of deities
Hindu
Deities
Brahma: God
as Creator
of World,
supreme
deity
-
-
Is represented
in the form of
other gods…
Part of Hindu
Trinity
Hindu Deities
Vishnu: God
as preserver
of the world,
protector of
creation
*part of Hindu
Trinity
Hindu Deities
Shiva: God as
Destroyer
-responsible for
change (ex:
death)
*part of Hindu
Trinity
Hindu Deities
Ganesha: The
Remover of
Obstacles,
God of
Intelligence
-son of Shiva
and his wife
Hindu Deities
Indra: God
of War and
Weather,
ruler of the
heavens
and other
gods
Hindu Practices/Beliefs
Different sects (groups) within
Hinduism worship different deities
through:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Prayer
Karma
Nirvana
Reincarnation
meditation
Building shrines
Sacrifices
Pilgrimages
(holy journeys)
Video Questions
What event do Hindus prepare for in
September?
2.
According to the myth, how did Ganesh
acquire the head of an elephant?
3.
How does the boy in the video explain how
worshipping many gods is the same thing
as worshipping one God?
4. What do Hindus believe will occur after
death?
5. What does the immersion the clay idol of
1.
Ganesh in the sea represent?