multitheism
nounEtymology From multi- + theism.
1
The existence of multiple forms of theism, as in a society.
- But for rudeness of manners, idolatry, and multitheism, no people in the world ever went beyond them.1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], →OCLC, page 574:
- This led to multitheism and idolatry, a condition which would have grown increasingly confused, had God not decided to give mankind some better direction.1990, Edward Malcolm Batley, Catalyst of Enlightenment, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, page 317:
2 more examples
- But I am convinced that it is time for us to understand all our theisms as aspects of a global multitheism.2001, Diana L. Eck, "Honest to God:The Universe of Faith" in Marcus J. Borg, Ross Mackenzie, God at 2000, p. 48
- By the unprecedented intensity of the finale's rhetoric, by the multitheism of its symbolism — the Greek mythic signposts, the Christian-medieval gestures embedded in the Andante maestoso, and the orientalism of the Alla marcia's "Turkish Music".2003, Maynard Solomon, Late Beethoven: Music, Thought, Imagination, page 226:
2
Dated Polytheism.
- This forceful imposition of monotheism and impossibly high moral standards on the slow evolutionary process of multitheism in which people were still learning to live with their gods created guilt, anxiety and fear of the new god.1933, Buddhist Society (London, England), The Middle Way, p. 90
- Derived terms
- multitheist, multitheistic, multitheistically
- Related terms
- monotheism, omnitheism, polytheism