God in the flesh — JAY Z

We got a “god of war” (video game)— yet we modern day humans aren’t permitted to strive to become a god?

How to become a god?

Ancient Greece

What does it mean to be a god,,, how does one become it?

First, let us consider Ancient Greece. How did they see the god(s)?

1. First, no monotheistic singular god. Also the ancient Greeks and Romans created gods in their own (flawed) images.

How did we believe in monotheistic god from polytheistic

The transition from polytheism, the belief in many gods, to monotheism, the belief in a single god, is a complex process that has occurred in various cultures and religious traditions over millennia. This shift can be attributed to several factors, including social, political, philosophical, and theological developments. Here’s an overview of how some societies have moved from polytheism to monotheism:

Sociopolitical Factors

• Centralization of Power: In some cases, the rise of a central authority or a powerful state necessitated a unifying religious practice or belief system. Monotheism, with its single divine authority, could parallel and legitimize a centralized earthly authority.
• Conquest and Empire: The expansion of empires often brought diverse peoples and their gods into contact. Monotheism could serve as a unifying force among different ethnic and cultural groups within an empire, facilitating governance and social cohesion.

Philosophical and Theological Evolution

• Philosophical Rationalism: In some cultures, philosophical inquiry led to questioning the existence of multiple gods and moving towards a more abstract, singular concept of divinity. This was partly influenced by the desire to understand the universe in a more coherent and unified way.
• Ethical Monotheism: The idea that moral values and laws originate from a single divine source contributed to the shift towards monotheism. This concept emphasized the universality and unchangeability of moral law, which resonated with the emerging social orders and ethical philosophies.

Historical Examples

• Ancient Israel: The transition from the worship of multiple deities to the worship of Yahweh alone is documented in the Hebrew Bible. This process involved prophetic movements that emphasized exclusive worship of Yahweh and associated ethical and social reforms.
• Zoroastrianism: Ancient Persia witnessed a significant religious reform under the prophet Zoroaster, who preached the worship of Ahura Mazda as the supreme god, contrasting with the traditional Iranian polytheism. Zoroastrianism introduced many concepts that influenced later monotheistic religions.
• Hellenistic Period: The philosophical developments during the Hellenistic period, especially among the Platonists and Stoics, often leaned towards monotheistic or monistic views, considering a single principle or god as the source of all reality.
• Christianity and Islam: Both emerged within polytheistic societies and spread the belief in one God. Their growth was facilitated by various factors, including missionary activities, political support, and the appeal of their universal messages.

Conclusion

The transition from polytheism to monotheism was not a single, uniform process but occurred differently across various cultures and historical periods. It involved a complex interplay of social, political, and intellectual factors, reflecting the changing ways in which societies understood the divine and the cosmos.