If Monotheism is the best there is, why did Polytheism come about first?

Question

Merry Meet, Brothers and Sisters.

Polytheism has been around longer than Monotheism, and is still about quite strongly. The very things that Monotheists -- especially Christians -- despise and say is false has outlasted their religion.

Let's face the facts, shall we? Christianity has been about for approximately 2000 years, if that long. But let's give then 2050 years, to be kind. So let's say it came about in 50 BCE. Judaism came about in approximately 2000 BCE, according to Jewish texts, but received the Ten Commandments and Torah in 1313 BCE. Atenism came about in 1300 BCE.

So, what about polytheism?

Polytheism dates all the way back to 24000-22000 BCE, thanks to Venus of Willendorf. If you don't know who and what that is, please learn a bit here: http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfdiscovery.html

If anything, you can consider that Norse Paganism dates back to about 9000 BCE,

If Monotheism is the best, why are all us Pagans still here?

Why did your God that you describe get rid of us in the first run? Why did he let us exist first? Is there a quote in your book for that?

Merry Part and Blessed Be.

)O( Pagan Fundamentalist )O(

Answer 1

*snort*

I fail to see how the Venus of Willendorf proves ANYTHING about the religion of the time. The only thing it demonstrates is that in that part of the world, at that point in time, someone found it worthwhile to create a figurine of an enormously plump woman. And that's IT. There is no doctrine or dogma attached to the artifact.

I'm starting to think you're trolling. You're certainly not doing Pagans any great favors.

Answer 2

Very poor argumentation.

Just to give you a little contrast.

I once read an argument written by a Muslim in which he claimed that Islam was "more correct" than Judaism and Christianity because it was "newer" and therefore less corrupted.
Yet, according to that logic, religions that are even newer than Islam would be even less corrupted and thus "more correct" Yet that person didn't think about that possibility.

Now, we have the opposite argument from you. You say that Polytheism is better because it has been around LONGER than monotheism. That's ridiculous. Judaism has been around longer than Christianity but I'll never use that as an argument WHY it is more correct than Christianity.

Answer 3

I can't decide if I want to have a fit or clap......

The oldest faiths are more spiritual in nature then polytheistic if we are to be fair. They worshiped the spirits of the animals and the earth and marveled at the wonder of fire.
This evolved yes to polytheism. And yes, we Heathens have been around since forever. So have several other culture that have multiple gods. A lot of these trickled down from ancestor worship, which is what we still do today. The Gods are our literal ancestors.
Does that make their God any less valid? No. He is the Hebrews god. How on earth can I believe in my gods and not others? Why ever not? The Hebrews belong to him. I personally think he got a little ambitious and attempted to "take over the world" so to speak, but it didn't work therefor I'm not worried. The Gods still call their blood and we still answer. I feel no need to defend it.
The Gods can fight for themselves, cupcake. Don't take the battle on for them.

Answer 4

Maybe it is because in some ways a monotheistic or dualistic (Good vs. Evil) worldview is easier than a polytheistic one. Although polytheistic beliefs have "evil spirits" or "chaotic spirits" there is not a SINGLE source of evil and therefore NOBODY TO BLAME for our actions except for OURSELVES. This forces polytheists to take responsiblity for what we do in this life as WE have to deal with the consequenses.

We are NOT absolved of responsiblity by our Gods and Goddesses. On the contrary, our Gods and Goddesses DEMAND that we behave in a responsible manner, both to other people and towards our environment.

For many monotheists, this is just too much work as they can justify their actions either as "doing the work of God" or as unimportant as they are "forgiven by Grace"

Pagans are here because the Monotheists only forced us underground. Now that we have the ability to raise our heads and take responsiblity for our lives again we are again VISIBLE again in the world.

Answer 5

pagan fundamentalist LOL, I like it! Monotheism is a very new kid on the block and yet they laugh at our beliefs, that have lasted for Millenia. They either mock through lack of understanding, lack of tolerence of through fear, and I'm not sure which is the worst.
We are happy to let them walk their path, I so wish they could be happy to let us walk ours!
great question, have a star!
)0(

Answer 6

I am Pagan MOSTLY because it allows me to worship the way I feel is best for me!

IT IS not about MY GODS and GODDESS can beat your GOD!

AND when you say that all of the bible is WRONG I need to point out one thing to you. The bible enforces the idea of there being more than one GOD!

Wicca is about nature and being in harmony with the world around us. Most of all it is about finding your own path!

I do not JUDGE anyone! Your type of Propaganda just makes me SAD!

Blessing!

Answer 7

why did the steam engine come before the internal combustion engine? why did the vacuum tube come before the transistor and the transistor before the microchip. things get better as time goes by.
but some people still prefer the good old fashioned religion. to each her own.

Answer 8

There is a lot of world history scholars who actually will disagree with your statement that polytheism came first. It was most definitely more prominent first. Yet there is evidence of monotheism in the earliest of time.

Answer 9

All religions are serving imaginary friends. Just because you have more imaginary friends than some other faith doesn't make you any less deluded than you believe Christians to be.