It’s late in the evening, Michael a scholar, Jayden an old pastor and Jane (Michael’s younger sister) are seated in their hotel facing the beach front. The sun is painting the lobby below them golden. As the evening progresses an interesting conversation comes up. It goes on like this
Jayden: Michael, I understand you are interested in studying people and philosophy?
Michael: Of course, I enjoy especially people beliefs fascinate me. Like now imagine there people, who believe that now the sun has gone down one god is resting.
Jayden: they are entitled, you are not bringing back the monotheism and polytheism debate back?
Jane: you two will not do this here, right? Not without explaining what you mean with such medical terms.
They all break into laughter.
Jayden: Jane so you came across that while studying high school biology? Anyway they monotheism mean worship of one God. On the other hand, polytheism means worship of many gods.
Jane: (enthusiastically) do we have people who worship many gods? I must be very ignorant, Michael do you think it is possible.
Michael: It happens; these people assign a deity to one domain. For example there is the god of the sun, rain, fertility, war, peace to mention a few.
Jane: Is it true Jayden? I tend to think there may be conflict among the gods. For instance people will sin against one god while trying to please another.
Jayden: No offence to polytheism, but my faith in one God as prescribed in Christianity would win if we were to argue? You will be amazed to also not that at least half of the world population subscribes to one form of monotheism.
Michael: In the middle-east there is a lot of polytheisms my friend. my friend. In India for example, the practice is quite common. I went there while studying my masters and I was amazed by their beliefs. I think unlike Jayden who believes monotheism system is superior; polytheism is beautiful and does not have staunch rules.
Jane: I know Jayden you know about religions which practice polytheism? Would you explain to me what makes people consider such religion to be polytheism?
Michael: (interrupting) Jane why don’t you read? This is going to be a lecturer,
All of them laughing
Jayden: In theology one has to study even other religions. For example, I can confidently tell you that Hinduism is a major polytheistic religion. I think your brother tells you how there are many colourful ceremonies in India? Buddhism is also considered polytheistic too.
Michael: I have never thought about that? Why would any sane person consider Buddhism to be polytheistic?
Jayden: Doctor, you need a library.
All laughing hysterically
Jayden: As a matter of fact it is now agreeable that Buddhism is polytheistic. Though it is structured differently unlike the clear Hinduism, Buddhism believes in several higher powers.
Jane: I think today am in class, before I forget, what other religions are monotheistic apart from Christianity.
Michael: Stop embarrassing me Jane.
Jayden: Jane you do know Islam? And Judaism doesn’t you?
Jane: I know Islam but did not think it was monotheistic, Judaism? I thought it is a component of one religion.
Michael: Jane you also need to understand there are religions which are not monotheism or polytheism.
Jane: Where would those religions then fall under then?
Jayden: For example there is something called Pantheism. Ever heard of it?
Michael: I thought it meant the same as polytheism. If they don’t mean the same I need a library as you told me!
Jayden: Then you have to build one because they are totally different.
They all burst in laughter
Jayden: Pantheism simply is a description of the universe and god being one and the same thing. However, theorists differ and some argue that it is monotheism but the debate is still open.
Jane: Very interesting, are there other beliefs?
Michael: Yes there is atheism and Taoism. Atheism is a lack of belief in any deity and it is gaining popularity fast. Taoism on the other hand is close to pantheism.
Jane: I tend to think then Christianity is polytheism, drawing on all facts you two have presented it would be just to say Christianity is not monotheism.
Jayden: why would you think that??
Jane: That’s easy, I consider in Christianity there is god the father, god the son and the Holy Spirit. Sometimes you will find Christians worshiping or praying to one god especially the son Jesus Christ.
Michael: Jane, I didn’t see that coming from you, that’s a good analysis.
Jayden: (almost interrupting Michael) but it is wrong.
Jane: why? Then your definitions of monotheism and polytheism were confused.
Jayden: there is one thing you need to understand. Jesus is the son of God but he is not considered a god, he is however a part of God.
Jane: That now complicates the whole story, but with that explanation I can agree with you.
Michael: I also agree, Jayden I came across Sikhism and Baha’i, where would we classify these then?
Jayden: These are modern form of monotheism; they are not as old as Christianity and Islam.
Michael: Where would I get information on this information for my library?
Jayden: I can lend you some book but you can try searching Amarna period. This is the period which monotheism is believed to have come from.
Jane: Jane you seem to know a lot in regard to religion?
Jayden: That’s my area, I love reading too and so I read anything I lay my hands on.
Michael: I think we should go back in its getting dark and cold.
Jane: (jokingly) who is collecting the fees? I think I have learnt a lot today, I should accompany you more often when you are coming here.
Jayden: You are most welcome. Let’s go and have coffee with the fee inside.
They all leave their seats and go back to the hotel. It is already dark and nothing is visible apart from a single light in a distant old light house.
