Would the world be better off without monotheism?

Question

Has anyone heard of the great Pagan crusade to wipe out Buddhism?
Or the Shinto fatwa against Hindu?
Who’s got a cell / coven of reformist Wicca living in there town trying to oust the fundamentalist Wicca?

Is it just me or is it all the religions that worship the same one god that are causing the problems?

OK, I really think it is monotheism being used by the wealthy to control the masses. But that is another question for another time.

Answer 1

That is the point of monotheism. If there is one God, there must be one leader. If the God is male, so must the leader be. Democracy was invented by polytheists. Our constitution was invented by Deists.
But let's not forget that Polytheists also sacked Troy and went on cattle raids for fun and thought that there was no sexier way to get themselves a wife than to steal her off. The most famous Pagan matriarchs of history (Maeve, Cleopatra, etc.) were not known for their kind and gentle natures, but instead for their guile and cunning. Ah, the good old days. (That's not sarcastic, women should be known for their guile rather than their D-cups)

Answer 2

its true with the rise of monotheism came more religious tensions because people were not willing to accept other peoples deity's.

but you also have to look at the positives that Monotheism has given. For one it has set a stage of standard morality and ethics to run a society. The Greek and Roman cultures were vain and morally decadent and that was a big cause to their downfall and continuing suffering. Monotheistic societies tend to be stronger and last longer even though difficult periods.

they also lead to greater equality. with out Monotheistic Morality the concepts like all men are created equally would never exist because different Deity's created people differently.

if your going to be fair you must look at the positive and the negative


--- as for controling the masses your right, but the same can be said about Communism, Fashisum and Pagan cultures as well it is not resticted in any way to Monothism

Answer 3

I think the world would be better off without us sometimes, lol, but I would say not really, there will always be people out there who want to cause trouble and those who suffer because of them, if its not monotheism its something else. We really cant generalize, we just have to trust ourselves to figure out whats right and whats not, whats positive and whats not working. I believe that someday humanity will work out it's problems, I'm just praying its not too late. : /

Answer 4

I think the day we tried to get monotheism away we will be acting just like so called monotheists trying to force our beliefs on them.

You do not want that. Do you?

The problem is not monotheism but the way monotheists try to force their own beliefs on others.

Why there should be uniformity

Though I would comment of Gratvols reponse a bit. that monotheism itself has nothing to do with Strength of a society. Freedom to choices has been strength of Hinduism.

When religion becomes organized, man ceases to be free. For it is not God that is worshipped but the group or the authority that claims to speak in his name. Thus, it becomes a kind of social idolatry.

But that does not means it is going to solve problems of falling civilizations. If uniformity of belief solved problems there would have not been so many wars between monotheistic countries themselves. If so called ethics were followed , Christianity and Islam both have been not major religions today. Both have a bloody history of proselytsation.

And African nations would not have problems right now.

On the other hand Hinduism is monotheistic but with applied polytheism. And according to semetic definitions its called polytheistic only.

But Hinduism has survied constant attacks from Islam and Christianity. And both have their bloodiest history in India. Be it Goa or north east Christians succeeded in conversion with violence only and so did the Muslims.

In spite of many attacks on Hinduism by varied invaders, in spite of rumors of decay and disarray, Hinduism has outlived all announcements of its impending demise. In fact Islam got a bit mellowed in India and Indian Sufism is the most tolerant branch of Islam. Arab brand is more feirce.

If Hinduism or Indian culture ever vanishes it will not because of its religious beliefs are polytheistic and it gives freedom. Believe me, its loss will be loss of whole world, it realises it or not. Most of the world is still unaware of its acheivement or misplaces its credits. eg Number system today.

Laws and ethics given in Hinduism are in no way inferior to so called monotheists. In fact hindu laws of war has been most humane and in fact Hinduis lost wars when they faced Muslims and Christians because they stuck with their ethical and moral behaviour while these two did not.

Answer 5

Mr. Hornblower,
"Would the world be better off without monotheism?"
Yes, most definitely. As soon as all those monotheists believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice for the sins of man, the world will be better off.

And yes, I'm trying to be funny.

Answer 6

The world would be better off without hypocracy. Jesus said "Many will come in my name, but I never knew them."
True Christianity is alive and well and living in the hearts of men, but you will not see it on TBN, in the White House, or marching off to war. You will see it where there is genuine love and forgiveness. Not always front page news.

Answer 7

Yes, the world would be better off without monotheism, unless something else filled the vaccum.

Answer 8

Only if all the monotheisms were other than Christianity, and Athiesm where people believe they are god. God, as in Jesus our Christ, Bless you.

Answer 9

Yes, I vote for Zeus and Aphrodite.
Ancient religions are less bored that the ones we have today.

Answer 10

naw lots of other people causing problems also-its not the religion thats bad its the people-do think we should put the blame where it belongs and not blame this or that-spread the loght lots of love old hippie here