Believers in multiple gods have many benefits. This kind of religion avoids many of the problems associated with monotheism such as omnipresence or evil. Polytheists are less likely to be intolerance of other gods. Avoiding both these problems is easier than with monotheism.
Monotheism
Monotheistic religion emphasizes God's uniqueness. The religion of Israel, which started with the Mosaic texts, was monotheistic from the start. It was from multiple gods that the concept of a single God was created.
Polytheism
Polytheism (or believing in multiple gods) is a religious practice that involves believers worshipping several gods. It is often mistaken for paganism but it is a separate group. Some religions are polytheistic and worship all gods equally. Others place gods in hierarchical orders. They all have different powers, and not all of them can grant the wishes of their followers.
Henotheism
Henotheism is also known as polytheism. It holds that there are many gods. Henotheists accept the existence and worship of many deities. However, they believe that only one primary deity is true. Henotheism comes from the Greek words heis, which means one, and theos, which means God. Henotheism differs from monotheism in that the belief in multiple gods is a personal choice, rather than a religious obligation.
Pantheism
Pantheism, a philosophy that believes multiple gods, is called Pantheism. This philosophy emphasizes science and inquiry. They believe that knowledge of the universe can lead to understanding God. This philosophy doesn't require belief in an afterlife or strict rituals. This philosophy can be found in many non-Christian religions.
Animism
Animism refers to belief in many gods or spirits. Animists believe all things are connected, even animals and humans. They believe that all things are spiritual, but not all spirits share the same characteristics. Pantheists believe everyone has one, universal spiritual essence. Aimists believe each spirit is unique and that all are connected. Animists consider themselves to be part of nature and equal with other forces.
Plant deities
Aztecs worshiped plant deities such as Mayahuel the goddess of maguey. The deity is thought to have the blood in the sap from this plant. Centzon Totochtin is also her home. She feeds 400 rabbits.
Polytheistic rulers
Polytheism does not follow a set of rules. It is a flexible framework that articulates local cults within regional and supraregional contexts. Contrary to monotheism which has a fixed set gods, polytheism doesn't have one. The idea that polytheism was an evolutionary stage has been rejected by scholars who argue that multiple gods show an imbalance in cultural thought.
Monotheistic religions
Monotheistic religions have multiple gods and often believe in more than one. Most of the world's population practices one or more of these faiths. Some religions have very similar beliefs, while others differ in certain ways. These three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the major ones.