How Monotheism As A Type Of Religion - 973 Words

When discussing monotheism as a type of religion, we are talking about religion as the act of worship by man, not the origin of God. The former is something that could theoretically be proven based on anthropology and other earth sciences; the latter can only be revealed through God himself or the supernatural world. Because of my bias as a devout Christian, I believe that in the beginning there was one true God who created all. However, as Winfried Corduan pointed out in his book, Neighboring Faiths, the theory of original monotheism provides space for its own evolution through decay and ritual. It is within the evolutionary regression from original monotheism and the process back that we are shown God’s gift of freewill in humankind and God’s unending desire to redeem us. Corduan gave a thoroughly researched examination and comparison on two different theories of how monotheism as a religion came into existence, either through an evolutionary pattern from other primitive forms of religion or that monotheism came first. In essence, the proverbial chicken and the egg. Evolutionary Monotheism In the theory of evolutionary monotheism, Corduan explained that â€Å"many scholars assume that religions had a purely human origin†. (p.32). Corduan went on to map the pathway to monotheism which begins by humans feeling a spiritual force (mana) and evolves into visualizing that force in physical spirits (animism). As time goes on, the evolution of those spirits as they grow strongerShow MoreRelatedExploring the Concepts of Monotheism in Western Religions1555 Words   |  7 PagesIf a person were to juxtapose the western religions that exist in our society today, a vast amount of people would conclude that a major similarity between them is that they are all monotheistic. There is a multiple amount of religions in this world today, but a few are monotheistic like the western religions and then there are the polytheistic religions, which tend to be more along the eastern side. Monotheism can be straight forward with its definition; however, there are certain concepts thatR ead MoreReligion Ââ€" Final Reflection Paper1195 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Religion has many classifications, such as tribal, classical, transcendental and cosmological, usually based on ones belief and understandings. Religion also has many definitions, usually based on ones experience. A particular definition that I found was Religion originates in an attempt to represent and order beliefs, feelings, imaginings and actions that arise in response to direct experience of the sacred and the spiritual (Connelly, 1986). Religion also has many characteristicsRead MoreReligion Vs Monotheism1220 Words   |  5 Pagescontrast monotheism and monism. Include examples of each to support your analysis. Religion has existed as long as human beings walked this earth as a powerful way of uniting and relating to other people. Even though many religions have their moral, cultural, historical, and doctrinal differences that may cause conflict to arise among them, there are many similarities present among monotheists, polytheists, and even monists that most people do not realize. If we break down the word monotheism, monoRead MoreReligion Essays1161 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Religion has many classifications, such as tribal, classical, transcendental and cosmological, usually based on ones belief and understandings. Religion also has many definitions, usually based on ones experience. A particular definition that I found was Religion originates in an attempt to represent and order beliefs, feelings, imaginings and actions that arise in response to direct experience of the sacred and the spiritual (Connelly, 1986). Religion also has many characteristicsRead MoreRoman mythology applies to the religious system, and origins of ancient Rome. These attributes are800 Words   |  4 PagesRomans focused on how a person contributes to the Roman community, and merely concentrate on politics and morality. Catholicism is one of the most common known religions. Catholicism focuses on the traditions, and values of the Christian churches. 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The Ogdoad is a grouping of eight gods that existedRead MoreReligion is a Cure to Problems914 Words   |  4 PagesReligion In the beginning of mankind there was thought which had lead to reason which was good. When man looked for reason where he didn’t understand he found problems out of his domain of perception. And to understand these problems a â€Å"cure all† to these perplexing questions had to be formed. For a being beyond reach of physical reality and grasp of mind was the answer for all things man himself couldn’t answer. God is the delusional means of answering what man could not, thus the child of hisRead MoreEssay Differring Religions In Todays1239 Words   |  5 Pages Differring Religions Each religious group possesses its’ own individual world- view. Two groups, which vary a great deal when reflecting upon their world-views are the Native Americans and the Puritans. While one group holds one set of standards and beliefs to be true, the other group abides by a completely opposite set of ideas. The Native American religion functions using its’ own world –view. Unlike in Western religions, the Native American religion does not have certain places in whichRead MoreIslam Is The Third And Newest Religion Of Abrahamic Faiths1473 Words   |  6 Pages1a. Islam (5) You often hear that Islam is the third and newest religion of the Abrahamic faiths (after Judaism and Christianity). However, you have read and heard that Islam does not understand itself as a â€Å"new† religion. Please describe how Islam understands itself as a continuation of monotheism and a correction of Judaism and Christianity. You can make reference to certain Qur’anic ideas which we discussed in class and include considerations of historical objects like the Kaaba in your answerRead MoreWorld Religions Chapters 2-3 Summary1083 Words   |  5 Pages1.) A.) Name and discuss several the major theories of the origin of religion. There are several theories of the origin of religion. The first theory of the origin of religion is the animistic theory, Theorized by Herbert Spencer. The Animistic theory theorizes that the gods of the primitive people were founded on dreams of the recently deceased. The theory basically means that the primitive people believed that the re dreams where visions of another world; and they believed that their leaders and