Polytheists- How do you really feel about your belief of several gods versus one?

Question

I am a Wiccan, but I believe in all types of theism as symbols for fertility and nature worship- BUT I think there are those of us out there who do really believe in several gods and I am just curious on your take. Do you have the "all gods are one god" philosophy? Do you believe that several gods take an active hand in your daily life? And if you converted from Christianity, Agnosticism, ect did you find it difficult at first to believe?
Just curious, no judgement here. All the pagans I know have some really unique, beautiful takes on spirituality and I would like to know yours. ;)

Sorry not sure I specified clearly enough- this question is mainly directed at polytheists, but thanks for your interest. There are questions for other religions elsewhere. :)

Answer 1

I'm a hard polytheist. I see my deities as separate individuals with their own lives and agendas. Just as I see my female ancestors as separate individuals rather than as being aspects of one single female ancestor, even though they may share the same bloodline. My deities share the same spiritual bloodline but that doesn't make them the same being.

I honor several gods but there are two that I am closest to--Taranis and Lugus (Gaulish deities). I honor them and they watch over me and give me peace and guidance. I show my love and gratitude every day through prayer, offerings and song. On a less regular basis, I honor several other deities. The thought of them all being the same just doesn't compute in my mind or heart. I've always been polytheist so I really can't accurately imagine what it would be like to only have one deity.

Answer 2

I guess if you believe in a god like creature (like all the main religions) then you believe that the god made all things and you should obey the god's commands and rules. For me, that's pure twaddle, but I mean no offense to anyone, because everyone has the right to their own beliefs. I class myself as an atheist, because I do not believe in any god. However, I do believe, very strongly, that our spirit lives on after we die and that there is more to 'life' than just our life on earth. It's just that even though I was brought up in a religious family, went to sunday school, got confirmed etc. I was never convinced about the god/jesus thing. My lack of belief is enforced by the narrow minded and hateful views of religion and some believers in today's society. As for a life force. If you mean some other kind of creator besides a god, then that's entirely feasible, or at least as much as god is, or isn't, depending on your choosing. Hey ho, we'll all find out when we kick the bucket. Stay safe.

Answer 3

I am a polytheist in the truest since of the word. I believe that each God and Goddess is a separate and living being, each having their own personality and each interacting with humanity in their own way.

I think that most of the Gods and Goddesses have better things to do than keep an eye on me everyday and night. They do come to my aide when I truly need it, and grant me insight from time to time. It is my ancestors and the nature spirits of air, land, and sea that watch over me daily, providing me with understanding, knowledge, and protection. My totem animal spirit is a Lynx she guides me and protects me during spirit journeys and also provides me with need spiritual and physical things. She is always with me when I perform ritual and even during prayer and meditation.

I had a near death experience about 18 yrs ago, during which time I saw and spoke to my patron deity. The experience came before I found the path I now travel. She was there even though I didn't know her at the time, so when I found her I had no trouble believing, or having faith in her. She had already saved my life.

Answer 4

In my belief, The many Gods that exist are aspects, manifestations of "One" source.
I believe that our human minds have not the ability to grasp the scope and scale of what it means when one says "God" and the gods and goddesses are manifestations in forms that our minds can semi-comprehend.
Remember the Story of the 3 Blind men and the Elephant? One found and felt it's tail and said the Elephant must be like a rope, one felt it's leg and thought it must be like a tree trunk, the other felt it's tusk and thought it must be like a spear. Each had a picture in their mind what they thought an elephant was but as we all know the elephant isn't "like" any of those things when you take in the entirety of the animal.

Answer 5

I'm another hard polytheist, so I believe the gods to be individuals, actual beings who, from time to time, take an interest in our world. I don't think that they take that active an interest in my day-to-day events to be keeping a constant eye on me, but I'm sure they check in when the situation warrants.

I converted from Christianity, but I had believed in a number of spiritual beings proir to that, so it wasn't a particular jump for me.

Answer 6

I genuinely believe that there are many Gods, each of which specializes in one area of life or nature. I find it much easier than believing there's only one God. It accounts for the variety in the world (and the rest of the universe!) to me. It also answers what I will call the "Who wins when fans of both teams pray?" question. I believe that sometimes Gods fight or have differing agendas.

Maurice's response is funny because he credits all those "natural scientific processes" to one God and prays to him!

Answer 7

I believe various gods are all parts of the whole - or the "source" god (i.e. the natural universe). I believe my interaction and how I seek wisdom from my deities happens daily. I don't believe they intervene otherwise. I was once Christian. When I converted, to be honest, polytheism made more sense.

Answer 8

Its complicated.
I believe there is one great Spirit. I believe the God and the Godess are aspects of the spirit. I believe that the Gods and the Godesses are aspects of the God and Goddess.
I know I'm strange. Its a little Hindu, but I like it and it makes sense to me. There are no rules in my soul.

Answer 9

Sorry, I'm Pagan and an atheist. If there is a divinity, it's in everything and it's natural, not supernatural. (IMHO)

The woods and wilds call to me, but not the gods. I don't believe in any omnipresent spiritual force. I just think that everything is related and has intrinsic worth.

Answer 10

I see the 'small' gods as aspects of one large whole. I like to break it down a little, makes it more humanistic. I was Anglican, but now follow an interfaith/non-denominational path. All roads lead to.....kind of philosophy