This page groups religions by how they conceive of the divine, since traditions disagree sharply about whether there is one god, many, or none in the usual sense. Wikipedia notes that Hinduism's many deities, "Deva (masculine) and Devi (feminine)," are often understood as aspects of "the same Ultimate Reality called Brahman," a very different picture from the strict monotheism of the Abrahamic faiths. Browsing by conception of the divine lets a visitor compare how differently two religions answer the same basic question.
Facts
Status
Standing as a Comparative CategoryContested: polytheistic sits badly on traditions whose own theologians argue for one reality behind many forms, and whose schools disagree about whether the deities are distinct beings, aspects of one, or both at once. 2 Overview
What Defines This GroupingTraditions of Indian origin whose practice is addressed to many deities, understood by some schools as distinct beings and by others as aspects of one reality. The classification describes how the tradition is practised. 2 Learn More
Dharmic traditions with many gods
This group gathers Dharmic religions of a polytheistic character: Indian-origin traditions that share the framework of dharma, karma and rebirth while recognising many deities, whether as distinct powers or as aspects of one reality.
The browser will find the traditions the atlas classes here, chief among them the many-deity worship of Hinduism in its broad sense. The entries describe each within the wider Dharmic family, noting how the tradition relates its many gods to its philosophy.
Polytheistic: many gods
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Sources
1. Divinity Atlas Directory Taxonomy, First Edition Category Tree
2. An Introduction to Hinduism
Divinity Atlas Directory Prose, First Edition Category Descriptions
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