Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief that there are multiple gods. It comes from the Greek words poly for "many" and theos for "god". However, many worshippers believe that the multiple gods and goddesses, while each being specifically unique and in charge of different aspects of life, are intrinsically linked together to form one many-faceted, unified deity/energy/akasha.
Most ancient religions were polytheistic, exceptions being the Abrahamic religions, and Atenism. The belief in multiple gods does not imply the worship of multiple gods. Many polytheists believe in the existence of many gods, but worship only one. This variant of polytheism is termed henotheism. Some people view henotheistic polytheism as a form of monotheism; practically all Jews, Christians and Muslims, however, view henotheism as polytheism.
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Compare monotheism, atheism, agnosticism, deism, pantheism, henotheism