Scholars continue to debate the academic nature of Hinduism as to whether or not it is a polytheistic or monotheistic belief system. Based upon your studies and research this week, compare and contrast these two positions and then academically defend ONE SIDE of this debate by clearly demonstrating your position as to why you believe the practice of Hinduism is best identified as a polytheistic OR monotheistic belief system?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Hinduism: A Polytheistic Belief System
Introduction
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, with a rich and diverse set of beliefs and practices. Scholars have long debated whether Hinduism should be classified as a polytheistic or monotheistic belief system. While both perspectives have their merits, this essay will argue that the practice of Hinduism is best identified as a polytheistic belief system.
Polytheism in Hinduism
Polytheism is the belief in multiple deities, each with their own distinct powers and attributes. In Hinduism, this belief is evident in the worship of various gods and goddesses, known as devas and devis. These deities represent different aspects of the divine and are worshipped for their specific qualities or roles. For example, Lord Shiva is revered as the god of destruction and regeneration, while goddess Saraswati is worshipped as the embodiment of knowledge and arts.
Diversity and Plurality
One of the key reasons why Hinduism is best identified as a polytheistic belief system is its inherent diversity and plurality. Hinduism encompasses a wide range of beliefs, rituals, and practices that vary across different regions and communities. This diversity is reflected in the worship of numerous deities, each with their own devotees and followers. The pantheon of Hindu gods and goddesses allows for individual choice and personal connection with the divine.
The Henotheistic Perspective
Another perspective that supports the classification of Hinduism as polytheistic is henotheism. Henotheism is the belief in multiple gods while recognizing the existence of a supreme deity. In Hinduism, this supreme deity is referred to as Brahman, the ultimate reality or cosmic power that underlies all existence. While Brahman is considered the ultimate source of all deities, each god or goddess represents a specific manifestation or aspect of Brahman. This henotheistic framework allows for both polytheistic worship and recognition of a higher cosmic order.
Rituals and Devotion
The polytheistic nature of Hinduism is also evident in its rituals and devotional practices. Hindu rituals often involve offerings, prayers, and ceremonies dedicated to specific deities. Devotees establish personal connections with these deities through acts of devotion, seeking blessings, guidance, or fulfillment of specific desires. The multiplicity of gods and goddesses provides a diverse range of avenues for individuals to engage in religious practices that resonate with their personal needs and aspirations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hinduism is best identified as a polytheistic belief system due to its inherent diversity, plurality, henotheistic perspective, and emphasis on rituals and devotion to multiple deities. The worship of numerous gods and goddesses allows for individual choice, personal connection, and the recognition of various aspects of the divine. Hinduism’s polytheistic nature embraces the richness and complexity of human spiritual experiences, making it a vibrant and inclusive religious tradition.
