Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief in many gods. During the foundations time period, almost all of the religions were polytheistic up until the establishment of Judaism, the first major monotheistic religion. Most of the time, polytheistic gods each control an aspect of nature, for example, Centeotl, the Aztec god of corn, or Zeus, the Greek god of rain and the sky. While today, most of the major polytheistic religions have died out or changed into monotheism, the effects of their early interactions still affect the world today.
Polytheistic Religions
Greek religion - The Greeks had 12 main gods, the Olympians. Each was a god that controlled something different in the world.
Roman religion - Romans had 13 main gods, each representing an important part of their life.
Mesopotamia - Mesopotamians had a polytheistic religion. Because their only sources of water, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, were unpredictable, they believed their gods to be unpredictable and tempermental. The religion, however, was not very significant, as it only survived as long as Mesopotamia did.
Egypt - Egyptians also had a polytheistic religion. Their religion, like the Mesopotamians, was based on their water source. However, because the Nile was reliable, they believed their gods were kind and merciful.
Hinduism - Hinduism as a polytheistic religion is controversial. Many would insist that it's monotheistic, however, for the purpose of our project, we will say it's polytheistic, because in the beginning texts, the Vedas,their mythologies and rituals are related to a number of deities, most of which are identified with aspects of the natural world. Today, the gods of Hinduism include the chief gods Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti, along with many local community gods.
Taoism - Taoism did not begin as a religion. It was more like a philosophy, and it didn't worship any deities. However, over the years, it has developed into a polytheistic religion. Their deities include Yu-huang, the San-ch'ing, Yu-ch'ing, Shang-Ch'ing, T'ai-ch'ing, San-Kuan, and the Pa-hsien (Eight Immortals).
Roman religion - Romans had 13 main gods, each representing an important part of their life.
Mesopotamia - Mesopotamians had a polytheistic religion. Because their only sources of water, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, were unpredictable, they believed their gods to be unpredictable and tempermental. The religion, however, was not very significant, as it only survived as long as Mesopotamia did.
Egypt - Egyptians also had a polytheistic religion. Their religion, like the Mesopotamians, was based on their water source. However, because the Nile was reliable, they believed their gods were kind and merciful.
Hinduism - Hinduism as a polytheistic religion is controversial. Many would insist that it's monotheistic, however, for the purpose of our project, we will say it's polytheistic, because in the beginning texts, the Vedas,their mythologies and rituals are related to a number of deities, most of which are identified with aspects of the natural world. Today, the gods of Hinduism include the chief gods Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti, along with many local community gods.
Taoism - Taoism did not begin as a religion. It was more like a philosophy, and it didn't worship any deities. However, over the years, it has developed into a polytheistic religion. Their deities include Yu-huang, the San-
Interactions
Most of these religions interacted in their early years through trade. They spread their beliefs through the Silk Road and other trade routes. Polytheistic religions, however, have not had very significant interaction. Most of these religions interact with others, but not necessarily each other. They've interacted peacefully with belief systems such as ancestor worship and shamanism and adopted some of their policies, because these didn't have major conflicts with their beliefs. Most of these polytheistic religions haven't had violent conflicts, with the exception of Hinduism and Christianity. Taoism and Hinduism believe that you should respect other religions and belief systems. Mesopotamian religion and Egyptian religion didn't last long enough or spread enough to really come into contact with other religions. Greece and Rome were in many battles and wars, but they weren't about religion. These wars were about power and expansion of their empires.
Hinduism
Hinduism and Buddhism both developed in India, and Hinduism and has adopted some Buddhist philosophies. For example, the idea that desire is the cause of suffering was a Buddhist idea, but Hinduism adopted it in order to appeal to more people. This adaptation to more popular religions allowed Hinduism to remain the most common religion in India while Buddhism spread throughout other areas of Asia, and Hinduism is still the most common religion today (82%). Even when Christianity and Islam emerged, Hinduism was able to remain popular.
Hinduism is very open, and accepts everyone's different ways of worshipping, so its interactions haven't been involved with wars or conflict like many other religions. Hinduism includes teachings that condemn violence and war, but also say that if your role in the caste system is to be a warrior, then you need to fulfill your dharma (your job). If you don't fulfill your dharma, you will probably be reincarnated at a lower level than you are now.
This is most likely how their ancestors wanted them to interact with other religions - peacefully - but their founders probably didn't anticipate many of the things that affected Hinduism, such as the formal removal of the caste system or the adoption of Buddhist philosophies. Hinduism also dropped many of the originally important rituals as it came in contact with other religions, and conformed to fit the people of India.
Hinduism is very open, and accepts everyone's different ways of worshipping, so its interactions haven't been involved with wars or conflict like many other religions. Hinduism includes teachings that condemn violence and war, but also say that if your role in the caste system is to be a warrior, then you need to fulfill your dharma (your job). If you don't fulfill your dharma, you will probably be reincarnated at a lower level than you are now.
This is most likely how their ancestors wanted them to interact with other religions - peacefully - but their founders probably didn't anticipate many of the things that affected Hinduism, such as the formal removal of the caste system or the adoption of Buddhist philosophies. Hinduism also dropped many of the originally important rituals as it came in contact with other religions, and conformed to fit the people of India.
Hinduism and Christianity
Hinduism and Christianity seem very different, but they have one major similarity. They both may seem polytheistic, but their followers believe them to be monotheistic. In Christianity, they believe that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, they believe it's all one God, not three different gods. Critics have said that that would make it polytheistic, but Christians consider themselves monotheistic. Hinduism worships many gods, but believe that these gods are different forms of a single Supreme Being. Brahman is often personified and presented as the One that must be sought, which Hindus believe makes them monotheistic.
"Hinduism worships multiple forms of the one God." (OM, an American Hindu organization)
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
Isaiah 44:6-8 ESV
Though these religions both seem to be misunderstood, and you'd think they'd be more understanding of each other, they've had some conflicts. They were minor, but still conflict. For example, in 1998, a Hindu political group rose to power in India. This led to a degeneration of the separation of church and state in India and a decrease in the level of religious tolerance. Anti-Christian violence quickly escalated India. People burned Bibles, killed priests, and destroyed Christian schools and buildings. However, when they lost power, the level of violence quickly decreased and India is religiously tolerant and peaceful once more.
This conflict shows one example of how modern culture has depleted the effects of religion. Hinduism was supposed to be very tolerant and accepting, but has changed greatly to where something like this could happen. This is definitely not what their founders intended for Hindus - it's the exact opposite.
"Hinduism worships multiple forms of the one God." (OM, an American Hindu organization)
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
Isaiah 44:6-8 ESV
Though these religions both seem to be misunderstood, and you'd think they'd be more understanding of each other, they've had some conflicts. They were minor, but still conflict. For example, in 1998, a Hindu political group rose to power in India. This led to a degeneration of the separation of church and state in India and a decrease in the level of religious tolerance. Anti-Christian violence quickly escalated India. People burned Bibles, killed priests, and destroyed Christian schools and buildings. However, when they lost power, the level of violence quickly decreased and India is religiously tolerant and peaceful once more.
This conflict shows one example of how modern culture has depleted the effects of religion. Hinduism was supposed to be very tolerant and accepting, but has changed greatly to where something like this could happen. This is definitely not what their founders intended for Hindus - it's the exact opposite.
Polytheistic religions, in conclusion
Hinduism is just one example of how religions aren't the center of everyone's life anymore, and the ideologies of the masses caused them to ignore what their religion said about peace. This has happened in all major religions, not just Hinduism, showing that religions have become less important and less prevalent in peoples lives since their beginnings, and other things take precedence, even though religion is meant to be the fuel behind all of your actions. Religion is still a major part of many people's lives, but the original ideals are less important, and the religions have changed so much that they're hardly recognizable.