Faith (Junior Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
What is Faith?
Understanding different expressions of faith
Faith can be expressed in many different ways across various religious traditions. Two major approaches to understanding the divine are monotheism and polytheism. These represent fundamentally different ways that people understand and relate to God or gods.
These two approaches to faith have shaped human understanding of the divine for thousands of years, influencing not only religious practices but also cultural values, moral systems, and social structures across different civilizations.
Monotheism - belief in one God
Monotheism describes the belief that there is only one God who created and governs the universe. This single deity is typically understood to be all-powerful, all-knowing, and the ultimate source of moral guidance for believers.
In monotheistic traditions, this one God is not simply the most powerful among many gods, but rather the only true divine being that exists. All other claimed deities are considered false or non-existent.
Judaism as an example of monotheism
Judaism as Monotheistic Practice
Jewish people believe in one God called Yahweh, who they understand to be the creator and ruler of everything.
The development of Jewish monotheism has deep historical roots. According to Jewish tradition, God first revealed himself to Abraham, showing that he was good, fair and just. This divine revelation marked a significant moment when Abraham moved away from believing in multiple gods to recognising just one true God. Abraham's experience led him to attract many followers who shared this new understanding.
Key practices reinforcing monotheistic belief
Jewish monotheism is reinforced through daily religious practices and moral teachings:
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The Shema is a central Jewish prayer recited twice daily. It declares: "The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." This daily recitation helps Jewish people remember their commitment to worshipping only one God.
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The Ten Commandments form the basic moral foundation of Judaism. The First Commandment specifically emphasises that there is only one God and that Jewish people must always prioritise God in their lives.
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These practices serve as constant reminders that believers should put God first and worship no other deities.
Polytheism - belief in many Gods
Polytheism represents the belief in multiple gods and goddesses, each often having different roles, powers, and areas of influence. The term itself comes from Greek language, where "poly" means many and "theos" means God.
Unlike monotheism where one deity has ultimate authority, polytheistic systems often feature gods with specialised domains - such as gods of war, love, harvest, or the sea - who may work together, compete, or have complex relationships with one another.
Hinduism as an example of polytheism
Hinduism as Polytheistic Practice
Hinduism demonstrates how polytheistic faith operates in practice. As the world's primary polytheistic religion, Hinduism acknowledges numerous deities who each have distinct characteristics and responsibilities.
Some of the major Hindu gods and goddesses include Rama, Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. Each of these deities represents different aspects of the divine and plays unique roles in Hindu understanding of the universe and human life.
Interestingly, some Hindu traditions also show how religious understanding can evolve. For instance, there are accounts of individuals like Abraham (mentioned in some interfaith discussions) who initially believed in many gods but later came to understand that there was one supreme God above all others.
Comparing monotheism and polytheism
These two approaches to faith represent different ways of understanding the divine:
- Monotheism focuses devotion and worship on a single, all-powerful God
- Polytheism recognises multiple deities with various roles and powers
- Both systems provide frameworks for believers to understand their relationship with the divine
- Each approach influences daily practices, moral codes, and community life
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Monotheism means believing in one God, as demonstrated in Judaism through practices like the Shema
- Polytheism means believing in many gods, as seen in Hinduism with deities like Rama, Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma
- The Shema is a key Jewish prayer that reinforces belief in one God and is recited twice daily
- The Ten Commandments provide Judaism's moral foundation, with the First Commandment emphasising worship of one God only
- Both monotheism and polytheism represent valid ways that different cultures and traditions express their faith and understanding of the divine