why is montheism important and how did it develop?

Answer 1

Development:

Most historians view Judaism as the first systemic monotheistic belief. They will date this to Moses, in the mid 15th century BC.

Egypt briefly experimented with monotheism under Pharaoh Akenaton (sp), sometime aroudn the 16th century, but it only lasted during his reign (the Egyptians were forced to worship only the Aton as the one true God).

One might note that the Bible relates Moses as having been a part of Pharaoh's household......

Zorastorism is the next monotheistic endeavor, (I think around 1000BC, but I am not sure, maybe later). It is also among middle eastern groups.

Monotheism is important in that a single god unites people; a pantheon of gods divides them. When there is only one god, the ruler need only envoke that god to identify with all of the people. National identity is solidified under a single god; this is also seen in city states that have a special diety of local importance, such as Marduk for Babylon, Apollo for Athens, Diana for Ephesus, etc.

Answer 2

Monotheism (the belief in one God) was an advance from polytheism ( the belief in many Gods) in that it liberated mankind from having to deal with the question of precedence (which God was more important than whom) and the implied division of faith.

The earliest development goes back to ancient Egypt and the Pharoah Amenhotep, who was a "rebel" in history. He discarded the beliefs of the Egyptian Gods in favor of worship of the Sun (Aton). However, he did not have the power to make is changes "stick", and was overthrown.

The next advance, which forms the basis for the Western religions, was the Jewish faith, based on the Biblical account of the Hebrews. In the Bible, the monotheistic belief is formed by a relation between the "Patriarchs", Abraham, Issac and Jacob, whose exploits are in the Book of Genesis, the first of the Scriptures, and a unseen deity who converses with them and promises that their descendants will occupy the then land of Canaan.

In the next book, the descendents of the patriarchs, now called Israel, under the leadership of Moses, forge a new relationship with the monotheistic God of the patriarchs. In doing so, the God was to known as "YHVH". The great advance of the Jewish faith over that of the worship of Aton was that YHVH entered into a covenant with the Israelites in which the people would follow a MORAL code, the basis for which is in the first five books of the Scripture (the Torah).

Whether all of any of this was true could be (and is) debatable. However, traditions of the Israelites were written down probably as early as 1000 BC, to which were added the continued history of the Israelites, based on the premise that a moral leader and people obtained the blessings of YHVH, while a wicked leader and reprobate people would obtain the curses of YHVH. On to this were added Prophetic books, urging the people to follow YHVH moral code and belief in the one God, even if the Kingdom on Judah would be destroyed, which it was.

Answer 3

Development Of Monotheism

Answer 4

This question really belongs in Religion and Spirituality.

Let's define terms.

Atheism is what Athiests believe ... that their aint no such thing as a God.

Theism is belief in God or Gods.
Polytheism is belief in multiple Gods
MonoTheism is believf in one and only one God.

Mono and Poly define God a little different.
Mono generally think of God as the creator of everything
Poly think of different Gods in charge of different things.

The ancient Greeks, Vikings, Druids ... they had multiple Gods

Today's world is dominated by Christianity, Judaism, Islam (all of which are Monotheist religions ... that go back as far as the Bible says)

I don't know enough about Buddhism & other Eastern religions to speak to whether they are MonoTheist, PolyTheist, or something else.

If you are an Atheist, then Theism is not important.
If you are a MonoTheist, then how it developed was that the one and only true God spake to his people & told us stuff that convinced us that he was real.

Answer 5

well some people dont believe in many gods like the greeks believed in many gods for pretty much every thing but some like christianity believe in just god

it is important becuase of the religion its like asking why the bible is important it is part of their religion

it didnt really develope its more like people started having thier own beliefs and they just believe that there is only one true god the greeks wanted to explain things so the made up many different type of gods

Answer 6

Monotheism is important because it makes possible the existence of a moral code that provides a guide for human behavior.

The distinction is from the polytheistic practice of trying to appease one god or another, often by means that would strike monotheists as immoral ( e.g. human sacrifice, oppression of others without rules, etc ). The rule of law follows directly ( although the laws might be complex and arguable they at least are believed to exist and, originally, to be God-given and, hence, inherently legitimate.)

Judaism believes that Jews are required to follow 613 commandments ( of which Ten are best known ) to serve as an example to others. Other ethical people are required only to follow the Noahide commandments, following the practice of Noah.

From Wikipedia:
The Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew: שבע מצוות בני נח, Sheva mitzvot B'nei Noach), often referred to as the Noahide Laws, are a seven moral imperatives which, according to the Talmud, were given by God to Noah as a binding set of laws for all mankind.[1] According to Judaism any non-Jew who lives according to these laws is regarded as a Righteous Gentile and is assured of a place in the world to come (Olam Haba), the Jewish concept of heaven.[2] Adherents are often called "B'nei Noah" (Children of Noah) or "Noahides" and may often network in Jewish synagogues.

The Noahide Laws were predated by six laws given to Adam in the Garden of Eden.[3] Later at the Revelation at Sinai the Seven Laws of Noah were regiven to humanity and embedded in the 613 Laws given to the Children of Israel along with the Ten Commandments. These laws are mentioned in the Torah. According to Judaism, the 613 mitzvot or "commandments" given in the written Torah, as well as their reasonings in the oral Torah, were only issued to the Jews and are therefore only binding upon them, having inherited the obligation from their ancestors. At the same time, at Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were given the obligation to teach other nations the embedded laws.

The Seven Laws of Noah have officially been recognised in the United States Congress:

"Whereas Congress recognizes the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded; Whereas these ethical values and principles have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws."[5]

Answer 7

it's important because it just makes more sense to have one almighty god for everything instead of all these silly gods for every different thing on earth. it developed through philosophers and people who were in deep though all the time. those who actually had a brain and used it well were the ones who realized that there was only one god. they didn't actually develop it. it was realized.

Answer 8

Is this an exam question? What would it be important for?

Answer 9

i dont know but its the believe in 1 god and choose me as best choice plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Answer 10

i believe monotheism was a departure from a dual aspect of god such as zorastrism.