Which is better: One God or Many (forms of) God

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Oct 16, 2012 at 00:06

Dear Dr Pipes:

Sorry to speak against a doctrine shared by all mono-theistic faiths. The reader Slahy asks whether one God is better or many. The answer is obviously many :-). You see, any one with half an ounce of intelligence will agree that if an entity has to be all knowing, omni-present, and omni-potent, it has to be One. So there is no question of there being multiple Gods. The question is under what definitions should people worship the God? And, the polytheistic doctrine --which, by the way, is consistent with Islamic doctrine that Allah rewards you for your intentions-- says that a kind God will not care which form (or no form) in which you worship Him. Polythiestic doctrine also says that there is no single path to reach the God. Many different paths (any path carved with good intentions) will take you to the God. I invite Slahy to study the Hindu discussions regarding Karma, Gyana, and Bhakti (actions, knowledge, and devotion) routes to the God. And, Slahy should not get too upset. I read Kuran whenever I want to.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".