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According to standard definitions, is monotheism the belief in multiple gods, with one primary deity being worshipped above the others?
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement describes henotheism or monolatry, which involves worshipping one primary deity while acknowledging others. True monotheism asserts that only one God exists.
The term 'monotheism' has ancient Greek origins, derived from 'monos' (single) and 'theos' (god).
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'monotheism' is indeed derived from the Greek words 'monos,' meaning 'single,' and 'theos,' meaning 'god,' reflecting its core meaning of belief in one God.
Henry More, an English philosopher, first coined the term 'monotheism' in the 17th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The English philosopher Henry More is credited with coining the term 'monotheism' in the year 1660.
The term 'monotheism' was commonly used throughout the Greco-Roman period to describe religious beliefs.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'monotheism' was not in common use during the Greco-Roman period; its coinage is attributed to Henry More in the 17th century.
Monolatrism involves worshipping only one god while denying the existence of any other deities.
Answer: False
Explanation: Monolatrism is the recognition of the existence of multiple gods but the consistent worship of only one deity. Monotheism, conversely, asserts that only one God exists.
Wide monotheism strictly believes in only one deity and disallows the existence of any others.
Answer: False
Explanation: Narrow monotheism strictly believes in only one deity and disallows the existence of others, whereas wide monotheism acknowledges one supreme deity while permitting the possibility of lesser deities.
Which of the following best defines monotheism according to the source?
Answer: The belief that one God is the only, or at least the dominant, deity.
Explanation: Based on the provided definitions, monotheism is characterized by the belief in a single, supreme divine being as the sole or dominant deity.
How does monotheism differ from monolatrism based on the provided text?
Answer: Monotheism asserts only one god exists; monolatrism recognizes multiple gods but worships only one.
Explanation: Monotheism posits the existence of only one God, whereas monolatrism acknowledges multiple deities but restricts worship to a single one.
Who is credited with coining the term 'monotheism', and when?
Answer: Henry More in 1660.
Explanation: The English philosopher Henry More is credited with coining the term 'monotheism' in the year 1660.
Atenism, promoted by Pharaoh Akhenaten, involved the worship of the sun disk Aten as the supreme and eventually sole deity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Atenism, under Akhenaten, centered on the worship of Aten, the sun disk, elevating it to the status of the supreme and ultimately sole deity, with Akhenaten acting as its prophet.
Zoroastrianism is universally accepted by scholars as a strictly monotheistic religion due to its focus on Ahura Mazda.
Answer: False
Explanation: The monotheistic status of Zoroastrianism is debated due to the significant role of Ahriman, often interpreted as an opposing force to the supreme deity Ahura Mazda, leading some scholars to classify it as dualistic or henotheistic.
Xenophanes of Colophon proposed a single, supreme god who was anthropomorphic, similar to the traditional Greek gods he criticized.
Answer: False
Explanation: Xenophanes of Colophon criticized the anthropomorphic portrayal of gods and proposed a single, supreme deity that was unlike mortals in form or thought, suggesting views akin to modern monotheism.
The Rigveda shows tendencies towards monism regarding Brahman, suggesting an early inclination towards monotheism in South Asia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Rigveda, especially in its later portions, exhibits tendencies toward monism concerning Brahman and suggests an early inclination towards monotheistic thought in South Asia.
In ancient China, the orthodox faith system strictly adhered to monotheism, venerating only Shangdi (High-god).
Answer: False
Explanation: While the orthodox faith system in ancient China venerated Shangdi (High-god) or Heaven as a supreme being, it was not strictly monotheistic, as lesser gods and spirits were also part of the religious practice.
Before the 8th century BCE, the Israelites exclusively worshipped Yahweh as their sole deity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Prior to the 8th century BCE, the religious practices of the Israelites involved the worship of multiple deities, including El, Baal, and Asherah, alongside Yahweh.
Maimonides defined the unity of God in Judaism as a simple numerical oneness, similar to the unity of a pair.
Answer: False
Explanation: Maimonides defined the unity of God in Judaism as a unique kind of oneness, distinct from the unity found in composite objects or numerical pairs.
The academic consensus suggests that the Israelites were strictly monotheistic during their early conflicts with the Canaanites.
Answer: False
Explanation: The academic consensus indicates that the Israelites were not strictly monotheistic during their early conflicts and that their religious landscape was more complex than a simple monotheistic adherence.
According to Procopius, ancient Slavs acknowledged multiple supreme gods, including a creator of lightning.
Answer: False
Explanation: According to Procopius, the ancient Slavs acknowledged 'one god, creator of lightning,' referring to the storm god Perun, suggesting a primary deity rather than multiple supreme gods.
Why is the monotheistic status of Zoroastrianism debated among scholars?
Answer: Because of the presence of Ahriman, often seen as an opposing force.
Explanation: The monotheistic status of Zoroastrianism is debated due to the significant role of Ahriman, often interpreted as an opposing force to the supreme deity Ahura Mazda, leading some scholars to classify it as dualistic or henotheistic.
Which ancient Greek philosopher criticized anthropomorphic gods and proposed a single, supreme, non-human-like deity?
Answer: Xenophanes of Colophon
Explanation: Xenophanes of Colophon, an early Greek philosopher, critiqued the anthropomorphic representations of gods and proposed a single, supreme deity that was unlike mortals in form or thought.
The Rig Veda, particularly in its later sections, suggests an inclination towards what concept regarding Brahman?
Answer: Monism and monotheism
Explanation: The Rigveda, especially in its later portions, exhibits tendencies toward monism concerning Brahman and suggests an early inclination towards monotheistic thought in South Asia.
In ancient China, the orthodox faith system centered on Shangdi or Heaven, but was it strictly monotheistic?
Answer: No, lesser gods and spirits were also venerated alongside Shangdi.
Explanation: While the orthodox faith system in ancient China venerated Shangdi (High-god) or Heaven as a supreme being, it was not strictly monotheistic, as lesser gods and spirits were also part of the religious practice.
Before the 8th century BCE, the religious practices of the Israelites included:
Answer: Polytheistic worship of deities like El, Baal, and Asherah.
Explanation: Prior to the 8th century BCE, the religious practices of the Israelites involved the worship of multiple deities, including El, Baal, and Asherah, alongside Yahweh.
Maimonides' definition of God's unity in Judaism distinguished it from:
Answer: The unity found in pairs or composite objects.
Explanation: Maimonides defined the unity of God in Judaism as a unique, indivisible oneness, distinct from the unity found in composite objects or numerical pairs.
According to the source, what does the Rig Veda verse (1.164.46) suggest about the divine?
Answer: That the divine reality is known by many titles.
Explanation: The Rig Veda verse (1.164.46) suggests that the singular divine reality is understood and referred to by many different titles or names.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the only religions identified as Abrahamic monotheistic traditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the most prominent Abrahamic monotheistic traditions, Samaritanism is also identified as a primary Abrahamic monotheistic tradition.
The concept of ethical monotheism, emphasizing divine laws as immutable sources of morality, first emerged within Islam.
Answer: False
Explanation: The concept of ethical monotheism, which posits that morality originates solely from God and that divine laws are immutable, first appeared in Judaism, not Islam.
Sikhism uses the symbol 'Ik Onkar' to represent the concept of multiple supreme realities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sikh symbol 'Ik Onkar' signifies 'the One Supreme Reality,' representing the singularity and oneness of the Creator.
The Baháʼí Faith describes God as a created being who reveals His will through human prophets.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Baháʼí Faith describes God as an uncreated, eternal source of existence, who is personal, unknowable, inaccessible, omniscient, omnipresent, and almighty, revealing His will through divine intermediaries known as Manifestations of God.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity posits that God exists as three separate and distinct deities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Christian doctrine of the Trinity asserts that God is one God in essence, existing as three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), rather than three separate deities.
The Islamic principle of *tawhid* emphasizes the multiplicity and division of Allah.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Islamic principle of *tawhid* fundamentally emphasizes the absolute oneness, uniqueness, and indivisibility of Allah, directly opposing any notion of multiplicity or division.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a primary Abrahamic monotheistic tradition in the source?
Answer: Hinduism
Explanation: While Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the most prominent Abrahamic monotheistic traditions, Samaritanism is also identified as a primary Abrahamic monotheistic tradition. Hinduism is a distinct religious tradition.
What was a key characteristic of Atenism under Pharaoh Akhenaten?
Answer: The promotion of Aten as the supreme and eventually sole deity.
Explanation: Atenism, under Akhenaten, centered on the worship of Aten, the sun disk, elevating it to the status of the supreme and ultimately sole deity, with Akhenaten acting as its prophet.
What does the Sikh symbol Ik Onkar represent?
Answer: The One Supreme Reality.
Explanation: The Sikh symbol 'Ik Onkar' signifies 'the One Supreme Reality,' representing the singularity and oneness of the Creator.
How does the Baháʼí Faith describe God's accessibility?
Answer: Personal, but ultimately unknowable and inaccessible.
Explanation: The Baháʼí Faith describes God as personal, almighty, and omniscient, yet ultimately unknowable and inaccessible in His essence, with His will revealed through divine intermediaries.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity asserts that God is:
Answer: One God in essence, existing as three distinct persons.
Explanation: The doctrine of the Trinity posits that God is one in essence but exists eternally as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
What is the central tenet of Islam regarding God's nature?
Answer: *Tawhid* (absolute oneness and uniqueness of Allah).
Explanation: The core tenet of Islam is *tawhid*, which signifies the absolute oneness, uniqueness, and indivisibility of Allah.
The concept of 'ethical monotheism' originated in which tradition, according to the source?
Answer: Judaism
Explanation: The concept of ethical monotheism, emphasizing divine laws as the immutable source of morality, first emerged within Judaism.
Which of the following is mentioned as an early monotheistic or quasi-monotheistic tradition outside the Abrahamic faiths?
Answer: Atenism
Explanation: Atenism, the religious reformation under Pharaoh Akhenaten in ancient Egypt, is cited as an early quasi-monotheistic tradition outside the Abrahamic faiths.
How is God referred to in Sikhism, according to the source?
Answer: Primarily as Akal Purakh or Waheguru, among other names.
Explanation: In Sikhism, God is primarily referred to as Akal Purakh (The Immortal Being) or Waheguru (Wondrous Enlightener), with other names also used.
The Great Spirit, known as Wakan Tanka among the Sioux, represents a universal spiritual force or supreme being in some Native American traditions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Great Spirit, referred to as Wakan Tanka among the Sioux and Gitche Manitou among Algonquian peoples, is recognized in various Native American traditions as a universal spiritual force or supreme being.
The Irreechaa festival, celebrated by the Oromo people, is a thanksgiving festival honoring their supreme God, Waaq.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Irreechaa festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration observed by the Oromo people to honor Waaq, their supreme God.
Bukongo, the traditional religion of the Kongo people, is characterized as a polytheistic system with many independent deities.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bukongo, the traditional religion of the Kongo people, is characterized as a hierarchical monotheism, with a supreme God and intermediaries, rather than a polytheistic system with independent deities.
The Irreechaa festival is celebrated by which people to honor their supreme God?
Answer: The Oromo people, honoring Waaq.
Explanation: The Irreechaa festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration observed by the Oromo people to honor Waaq, their supreme God.
Which of the following is described as a hierarchical monotheism?
Answer: Bukongo (Kongo traditional religion)
Explanation: Bukongo, the traditional religion of the Kongo people, is characterized as a hierarchical monotheism, with a supreme God and intermediaries.
What interpretation have some researchers suggested for Aztec philosophy concerning Teotl?
Answer: That Teotl represented a single, universal force, suggesting monotheism or panentheism.
Explanation: Some researchers propose that Aztec philosophy, particularly concerning Teotl, may have represented a single, universal force, indicating potential monotheistic or panentheistic interpretations among elites.
David Hume argued that polytheism is inherently less tolerant than monotheism due to its diverse tenets.
Answer: False
Explanation: David Hume argued that monotheism, by adhering to a singular set of tenets, tends to be less pluralistic and consequently less tolerant than polytheism.
What criticism did David Hume level against monotheism regarding tolerance?
Answer: He argued monotheism was inherently intolerant compared to polytheism.
Explanation: David Hume argued that monotheism, by adhering to a singular set of tenets, tends to be less pluralistic and consequently less tolerant than polytheism.
Mark S. Smith characterized monotheism as a 'totalizing discourse' which could potentially lead to:
Answer: The exclusion of 'others'.
Explanation: Mark S. Smith described monotheism as a 'totalizing discourse,' suggesting its tendency to integrate all aspects of belief could potentially lead to the exclusion of those holding different views.
According to the source, what historical criticism has been linked to monotheism?
Answer: That its intolerance has historically fueled conflict and violence.
Explanation: Historically, monotheism has faced criticism for its potential intolerance, which some scholars argue has fueled conflict and violence.