# Why is monotheism considered a conceptual leap over polytheism?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monotheism-considered-a-conceptual-leap-over-polytheism/150210>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 22, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monotheism-considered-a-conceptual-leap-over-polytheism/150210 "2003-01-22T14:27:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monotheism-considered-a-conceptual-leap-over-polytheism/150210/41 "2013-02-06T21:39:30Z")

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> [@Pythagras](#):
>
> …On the other hand, the Christian God is a supernatural entity that, despite the actions of His followers, promotes peace, love, and understanding.

:dubious: Read the Prophets or Psalms? Peace pacts in the five books and God’s love for them?

> [@](#):
>
> The Christian God, OTOH was forgiving, and redeeming.

The first five books of the Jewish Bible can be considered (among a billion things) a chronicle of exactly that. The wayward Israelites and the long-suffering patience of God who redeems them every other day, dammit, if they’d just get their shit together.

> [@](#):
>
> So given a choice on which God was more beneficial to the outlook and self-image of humanity, Id have to go with the christian God.

Well, that’s good, but it’s odd that the Christian God is cited as the first monotheistic one. Indeed, as is well known, the “mono” in Christian theism has been difficult since the get-go.

Also (again, taking you at your word for “Christian God”) the Jews, bitch as they might to God, seem quite sanguine about “their” God’s affirmations on humanity’s outlook and self-image.

> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#):
>
> … Yes, the Old Testament stories about God place more emphasis on a stern justice than do the New Testament stories, but it is erroneous to imply that a beneficent God is a product of Christian thinkng. This is a common misconception and distortion, used centuries later as “proof” that it’s OK to torture Jews until they convert…

QFT. I tend to agree with the rest of this pull (and just mention the essential and radical peace-making in “an eye for an eye”) but leave that to another time and forum.

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monotheism-considered-a-conceptual-leap-over-polytheism/150210/42 "2013-02-06T21:45:42Z")

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This thread really belongs in Great Debates but since it was started so long ago I’m going to close it rather than move it. Anyone wishing to pursue the discussion may start a new thread in that forum.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator

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