Henotheism

Henotheism is a religious belief and practice associated with the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods. This term was first coined by Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling (1775–1854) to depict early stages of monotheism. Max Müller (1823–1900), a German philologist and orientalist, brought the term into common usage.

Definition and Overview

Henotheism is derived from the Greek words henos (one) and theos (god). It is a form of polytheism where an individual worships one god, known as the chosen god or preferred god, without denying the existence or possible importance of other gods. This form of theism is distinct from monotheism, which asserts the existence of only one god, and polytheism, which asserts the existence and worship of multiple gods.

Historical and Cultural Context

Henotheism has been practiced in various cultures and civilizations throughout history. In ancient Egypt, for instance, different cities and regions had their own patron gods, yet acknowledged the existence of other gods. Similarly, in ancient Greece and Rome, while people commonly worshipped many gods, individuals often had a personal deity they held in special esteem.

In the Hindu tradition, henotheism is evident in the worship of individual deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi, while not denying the existence of other gods. This is often seen in the Bhakti and Shakti movements.

Henotheism vs. Monolatry

Henotheism is often confused with monolatry, another form of polytheism. While both involve the worship of one god, they differ in their recognition of other gods. In henotheism, other gods are recognized but not worshipped, while in monolatry, the existence of other gods is not just recognized but also denied.

See Also

• Monotheism
• Polytheism
• Monolatry
• Kathenotheism

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