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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Beliefs and Doctrine

Polytheism

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈpɒliθiːɪzəm/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, polytheism means: Belief in and worship of many gods, each often linked to particular powers or areas of life, as in ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse religion.

In Turkish: çok tanrıcılık, politeizm

How it is used

A descriptive term in history of religions, usually with ancient or classical traditions. Scholars use it carefully for living traditions: Hinduism, for example, includes many deities, but many Hindus understand them as forms of one ultimate reality, so labels like henotheism are also discussed.

Example sentences

  1. Roman polytheism made room for new gods as the empire expanded.

  2. Early travellers described the religion as polytheistic without understanding its theology.

Common collocations

  • ancient polytheism
  • polytheistic religion
  • Greek polytheism
  • polytheistic pantheon
  • monotheismBelief that there is only one God; Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism are usually described as monotheistic religions.
  • deityA god or goddess; any being that is worshipped as divine in a religious tradition.
  • theismBelief in a personal God who created the world and remains active in it; in philosophy of religion, the view that such a God exists.
  • HinduismA family of religious traditions that developed in South Asia, with no single founder, sharing scriptures such as the Vedas and ideas such as dharma, karma and rebirth.

More terms: Beliefs and Doctrine

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