Monotheism is the belief that postulates the existence of a single god . Christianity , Judaism and Islam are some of the monotheistic religions with the largest number of followers.
For monotheism, there is only one god who is the creator of the universe. This God is almighty and eternal . For polytheism , however, there are several gods , each with different powers and powers. Atheism , meanwhile, denies the existence of any god .
Therefore, atheists do not believe in gods, monotheists believe in one god, and polytheists believe in more than one god. Monotheism and polytheism, in turn, are framed in specific religious systems with specific doctrines and dogmas.
The simultaneous veneration of different divinities was a characteristic of primitive societies linked to superstitions . Over time, human beings generally turned to monotheism, with the appearance of gods with particular names and images on which cults were erected.
Take the case of Christianity . According to this religion , there is one God who has presence as three different persons: he is Father , Son and Holy Spirit . This Trinity often generates controversy since there are currents that maintain that Christian monotheism, in reality, is not such.
At this point we must mention the doctrine known as the oneness of God , according to which we should not believe in the Holy Trinity as independent beings, but in three manifestations of a single Yahweh . One of the branches of modern Pentacostalism, Oneness , practices precisely this doctrine and its followers baptize their children only in the name of Jesus, leaving aside the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The Christian God is omnipotent , omniscient , omnipresent and omnibenevolent . This means that this monotheism contemplates a divinity that has absolute power, knows everything, is present everywhere simultaneously and is pure love . It is interesting to note that these characteristics give rise to various logical paradoxes.
If we focus on Judaism, it also contemplates the existence of only one God, who rules absolutely and justly. Just like the Christian, he is characterized by wisdom, presence and infinite love. In addition to the creation of the Universe itself, he is credited with having chosen the Jewish people to present the precepts that are included in the Ten Commandments and the texts that we find in the Torah, the law and the basis of the identity of the Jews.
One of the most obvious signs of Judaism's monotheistic vision can be seen in one of its prayers, which says: "Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." It is found in book number five of the Torah, which happens to be the last. Throughout the day, the faithful must recite it twice, both in the morning and at night.
Another religion that advocates monotheism is Zoroastrianism . It is also a philosophy and derives from an ancient religion called Mazdeism, based on the legacy of the prophet Zoroaster. In this case, the name of the deity is Ahura Mazda . In addition to being an absolute and exemplary being, he is considered a close friend of people, whom he accompanies without exception in their battle against evil.
Islam also recognizes the existence of only one God, Allah, and it is the only one whom its followers worship, through acts or words that please him. It can be sincerity, love, protection or hope, among other internal actions , or prayer, fasting and profession of faith, among external ones.