Only if you believe centuries of propaganda. For nearly two thousand years, the belief in only one god—monotheism—has had a monopoly on western civilization. That means that monotheists have been teaching about religion from a monotheist perspective, which is naturally biased in favor of monotheism. Monotheism’s triumph in the west was not due to its inherent superiority, its fundamental reasonable-ness, or its unique appeal to human beings. Monotheism triumphed over polytheism because of economics, war and politics. To modern western people, monotheism seems like the only reasonable option because monotheists have been saying it is for ages. It seems like the only reasonable option because for most people it has been the only practical option. But none of this has anything to do with whether it is actually a better option. If you say “polytheism is ridiculous” over and over again, people will believe it is true because they have heard it, they are used to hearing it, and more importantly, because nobody has been able to present the opposing viewpoint. There have been basically no polytheists around to counter monotheism’s distorted caricature of polytheism, so people have naturally accepted the only point of view that they have heard. Eventually, it has become something we all just assume to be true. But it is not.
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Thank you for posting this, and for making the case so neatly and simply.
It’s so simple, really. If people just exercised the tiniest bit of critical thinking, it would occur to them to view the sweeping assumption of monotheisms’ superiority with suspicion.
“Eventually, it has become something we all just assume to be true. But it is not.”
Seriously. It really just boils down to a “red pill versus blue pill” choice.
Actually, our monotheism looks much like ancient polytheism. The Catholic church celebrates a isis like madonna (marry) and has saints (demi-gods) who have done or witnessed miracles (supposedly). The Egyptian polytheism had idols and lesser gods representing various ideologoies but all was part of the greater god. AMEN or AMMON.
I find Christian followers ignore or reject the simularities to set their beliefs apart however, they may not be so different after all. bdrex
I don’t think polytheism is ridiculous (especially not after my years with you). And recently, it has been portrayed believably as an alternative in popular media (say, Battlestar Galactica).
However, just because a person isn’t polytheistic doesn’t mean that they are dumb or narrow-minded. It’s not a red pill vs. blue pill. It’s not people just drinking the water, necessarily.
You know, it’s entirely possible that some monotheists out there have thought it through critically and came to different conclusions than yours. To imply that that couldn’t happen, and that all monotheists are just blind sheep following the herd is both unfair and closed-minded.
I don’t think Kullervo’s saying monotheists can’t have well-considered beliefs, so much as he is criticizing a particular claim of some monotheists that polytheism can be dismissed solely on the basis of “common sense”. A dead or minority religion is necessarily not common, er go “common sense” is a bad barometer for most purposes in evaluating it.
I’m of much the same mind. One of the best pieces on polytheology, for those that want to learn more, is John Michael Greer’s “A World Full of Gods”, it has a wonderful defense of polytheism, showing how arguments from skeptics about the existence of God mostly fall apart if you consider multiple gods!
-Alan
p.s. Kullervo, as a Finnish Americian I greatly enjoy your name! As a Chicagoan, I’d like to meet you sometime, drop me a line if you get the chance.
I think Hindus have been confronting us with polytheism for quite a while.
Indeed! And India is an example pointed out alongside Japan in Greer’s book, A World Full of Gods as one of several examples of modern, sophisticated cultures where polytheism is the norm.
A World Full of Gods is an excellent read–I think aplogists of every religion, including atheism, would do well to check it out and give it some serious consideration, as I believe it raises some difficult and thought-provoking questions.
If you can be a God then save yourself. When you die raise yourself from the grave. If you know of other gods let them proclaim it. I know of only one who did. He said I Am. If there is other gods let them speak up.
Bob is absolutely right. If you are a god, don’t be lazy and rely on Jesus. Sheesh. Man up… God up?
It appears that the courts have agreed with you on this.
That’s so awesome I can’t even stand it.
I am doubting it will hold up on appeal.
I think I’m going to convert to polytheism, the world makes so much more sense if you assume it was designed by commitee.
Who says the gods made the world?
Barry Marin, for one… (TIP: don’t drink anything while reading this…)
I have never heard of Barry Marin but godsdamn if that’s not fucking brilliant.