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Monotheism & Polytheism
Section 4 Paragraph Style Questions
2014 & 2009 (HL) Section 4 Question 4 – Monotheism
In religious traditions the term ‘monotheism’ means: the belief in one God.
Name one major world religion that is associated with monotheism:
Christianity/Judaism/Islam
Outline one example of how monotheism can be seen in a world religion you have
studied/Explain one reason why monotheism is associated with the major world religion
that you have named in part above:
The religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam are monotheistic faiths. The members of
these three major world religions worship and recognise only one God. They have many
different ideas about God and how God has communicated a message to people over
thousands of years. Nevertheless, they all believe there is only one God that brings meaning
to life. For these religions, God is said to be omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all
powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), pure spirit, and yet able to communicate with humans
and to have a relationship with them.
The three world religions express their faith in this one God through the words of their
prayers. For Jews the words of the Shema are a reminder of their monotheistic beliefs “Hear,
O Israel, the Lord our God is One”. For Christians their belief in one triune God is expressed
through the words of their creed “I believe in one God, the father almighty”. For Muslims the
Shahadah states “There is one God, Allah”. Though these three major world religions differ
in many substantial ways, they are united in their overriding belief in one great, almighty
God.
2011 Section 4 Question 4 (HL) - Polytheism
In religious traditions the term ‘polytheism’ refers to: belief in more than one God.
Outline one example of how polytheism can be seen in a world religion that you have
studied:
Hinduism is the third largest religion and the oldest major world religion. It is polytheistic
and involves the worship of many Gods and Goddesses. In the ancient world, there were
many polytheistic faiths, e.g. the Celts, the Greeks and the Egyptians. For Hindus, the
universal soul or source of life is called Brahman. Since this God is unknowable, they
worship the many other Gods that are forms or expressions of the one unchangeable and
unknowable God. Apart from Brahman, the main Gods named for Hindus are Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. These three are known as the Trimurti. They are also referred to as the
creator, preserver and destroyer.