Comparison of Monotheistic and Polytheistic Belief Systems and Their Attitudes Towards the Environment

This essay compares the attitudes towards the environment of monotheistic (Christianity) and polytheistic (Hinduism) belief systems.

Running head: ECOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
COMPARISON OF MONOTHEISTIC BELIEF SYSTEM WITH POLYTHEISTIC
BELIEF SYSTEM AND THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ENVIRONMENT: A
CASE STUDY OF HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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As opined by Moody (2016), religion had formed an integral part of the lives of the
human beings since the traditional times and thereby have been integrated within the cultural
practices or traditions followed by the people. Abdou and Chan (2017) are of the viewpoint
that different religious practices or the customs that the people related to the various religions
have become a part of their routine lifestyle and also the attitude that these people towards the
environment or for that matter towards life in general. In this regard, it needs to be said that
the entire cannon of religion can be segregated into two major categories, namely, the
monotheistic and polytheistic belief system or forms of religion. According to McClure
(2017), the monotheistic religious belief or system is one in which the followers of the
concerned religion believe in the existence of one God who in turn is considered to be the all-
power God, creator of the world and the dictator of the course of life events of the common
people. Some of the most common examples of this religious belief system are Christianity,
Judaism, Islam and others in which the people worship only God (Balcerowicz, 2018). On the
other hand, the Manian and Bullock (2016) have stated that the polytheistic belief system is
the one in which the followers worship multiple deities or Gods and each of these Gods are
related to some certain specific supernatural elements and are believed to have contributed
towards the creation of the universe. Hinduism, Confucianism, Mahayana Buddhism, the
different tribal regions, pagan religions and others belong to this category of belief system
(Scott, 2016). The aim of this essay is to compare the monotheistic (Christianity) and
polytheistic belief system or forms of religion (Hinduism) and the attitude that the followers
of these religions have towards the environment.
Corrigan et al. (2016) have articulated the viewpoint that the different religions of the
world have one factor in common, that is, the followers related to the concerned religions
worship some form of supernatural power (or powers) who is (or are) considered to be the
creator of the entire universe itself. However, at the same time it is seen that over the years a

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demarcation or differentiation between the different religions of the world is being made on
the fact whether the followers worship one God or multiple Gods and it is on the basis of this
aspect itself that the notions of monotheistic and polytheistic belief system or forms of
religion have been formulated (Ratzinger, 2016). More importantly, as noted by Kéri (2016),
the religion or the religious beliefs to which the different individuals ascribe themselves to
not only influences their way of life but at the same time forms an integral part of their
identity or culture as well. The resultant effect of this is the fact that the present times the
entity of religion is being ascribed to the aspect of culture of the individuals and both of these
are greatly considered to be coterminous with each other. As a matter of fact, the followers of
the religion of Christianity are largely being identified as the followers of the Christian
culture which is being followed within the framework of the Christianity following nations of
the world (Sirgy et al., 2019). Likewise, the followers of the religion of Hinduism are largely
being identified with the culture which is predominant in the Hinduism following nations of
the world. More importantly, it is seen that the machinery of religion over the years had
significantly shaped the attitude of the people towards the environment and its different
entities like animals, plants and others (Norenzayan et al., 2019). This can be explained on
the basis of the fact that different religions have certain dictates or precepts regarding the
manner in which they need to treat the animals, plants and others and this in turn over the
years had been integrated within the cultural framework of the followers.
Clobert, Saroglou and Hwang (2017) are of the viewpoint that the monotheistic
religious belief system is the kind of religious belief system in which the followers of the
concerned religion believe in the existence of one Supreme God who is considered to be the
source of all life force as well as the creator of the entire universe itself. As opined by
McClure (2017), the monotheistic religious belief system is often distinguished from the
henotheism religious system wherein the followers although worships one Supreme God yet

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believe in the existence of other Gods or deities as well who are considered to be as important
or as powerful as the one whom they are worshipping. As a matter of fact, it is seen that one
of the most important features of monotheistic religious belief system is the fact that the
followers of this religious belief system completely repudiate or negate the existence of other
Gods apart from the one that they are following (Theguardian.com, 2019). More importantly,
another important feature of the monotheistic religious belief system is the fact that the
Supreme God who is being worshipped is not only considered to be all-power but at the same
time the creator of the entire universe itself as well as the entity who determines the fate and
the things which are befalling the lot of the common people. The researcher for the purpose
of analysis had opted for the religion of Christianity as an example of monotheistic religious
belief system.
Abdou and Chan (2017) have articulated the viewpoint that the religion of
Christianity is widely considered to be one of the oldest religions of the world and also one of
the fastest growing ones of the world itself. More importantly, it is seen that the religion of
Christianity gained popularity in the first century AD after the birth of Jesus Christ, who is
considered to be the Son of the all might God and was sent to the earth so as to redeem the
sin of Adam and Eve, the ancestors of the modern human beings (Bbc.com, 2019). In this
regard, it needs to be said that the followers of the religion of Christianity follow the principle
of totemism and thereby Jesus Christ is widely worshipped as a totem. Furthermore, it is seen
that the figure of Jesus Christ is widely considered to be a symbolical representation of a
scared spirit and as the one spirit who had single-handedly united the different followers of
the concerned religion from the various parts of the world in which the concerned religion is
being followed (Moody, 2016). In this context, it needs to be said that the religion of
Christianity is widely being followed in the different nations of the world like USA, UK,

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Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy and others and the people in these nations display
common kinship with the figure of Christ (Kéri, 2016).
According to Sirgy et al. (2019), one of the most important aspects of the religion of
Christianity is the fact that the different attributes or the religious traditions of the concerned
religion have been integrated within the cultural framework or the daily routine of the lives of
the followers of this religion. In this regard, it needs to be said that some of the most
important practices of the religion of Christianity that had been integrated within the cultural
framework of its followers are the concepts of mass, religious devotion, life after death,
prayers, piety for the poor and suffering people, fraternity and others (McClure, 2017). More
importantly, it is seen that one of the most important features of the religion under discussion
here is its attitude towards the environment or for that matter towards the animals (Ratzinger,
2016). As a matter of fact, it is seen that the Holy Book of the concerned religion, namely,
The Bible, states that the animals are much inferior to the human beings and God has created
them in that manner and thus it is the responsibility of the human beings to fulfil his wishes
(Theguardian.com, 2019). This is perhaps one of the major reasons why the religion under
discussion here does not have any specific dictums regarding the consumption of animal meat
and other kinds of animal related products.
In the modern times it is seen that the Christians have developed a supportive
approach or attitude towards the animals and rather than seeing them as mere objects of
consumption or food are treating them with respect as well as dignity. In this regard, it needs
to be said that some of the religious saints of the concerned religion like St Antony of Padua,
St Francis of Assisi, St Brigit, St Columba, St Brendan and others over the years have
displayed supportive attitude towards the animals and this in turn had contributed in a
substantial manner towards the change in the perception of the followers of Christianity
towards the animals (Corrigan et al., 2016). Furthermore, it had been seen that the religion of

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Christianity has a positive attitude towards the environment and states that the human beings
in order to live a fruitful life as well as effectively utilise the natural resources of the planet
need to nurture and protect the natural resources of the planet. In this regard, the lines of
Genesis 1:28 wherein it had been said that “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and
subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and
over every living thing that moves on the earth” are important to note (McClure, 2017). This
as a matter of fact forms the central fulcrum of the attitude displayed by the Christians
towards the environment and its conservation.
Manian and Bullock (2016) have articulated the viewpoint that the polytheistic
religious belief system is generally considered to be the one in which the followers of any
religion believe in the existence of more than one God and also worship multiple Gods or
Goddesses as well. As noted by Scott (2016), one of the most important features of the
polytheistic belief system is the fact that the followers of the concerned religion commonly
acknowledge the existence of a pantheon of deities who not only hold equal amount of power
within the universal system but at the same time have contributed in a substantial manner
towards the creation or the formulation of the world or universe itself. In this regard, it needs
to be said that the different Gods or Goddesses that the followers of the polytheistic religious
belief system follow are the symbolical representation of the different ancestral principles or
for that matter the forces of nature and each of these deities have an individual existence of
their own and are not dependent on the other ones for their existence or worship (Shin, 2017).
More importantly, it is seen that the followers of this religious belief system over the years
have evolved their own set religious practices or rituals that are being used to appease or
please the concerned God or Goddess. The researcher for the purpose of analysis had opted
for the religion of Hinduism.

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Cole and Sambhi (2016) have stated that the religion of Hinduism, which is being
widely practiced in the Indian Sub-Continent is one of the oldest religions of the world and
even in the present times retains some of the attributes of the pagan religions that were
followed in the ancient times. Furthermore, it is seen that although the concerned religion
over the years had undergone a substantial amount of change yet at the same time it had been
able to retain its original essence and the resultant effect of this is that the followers of the
concerned religion even in the present times are worshiping different deities (Clarke, 2017).
As a matter of fact, it is seen that the majority of the Gods and Goddesses (more than 33
crores) who are being worshipped by the Indian people are symbolical representations or
totems of the natural forces of the universe which in the ancient times appeared too
formidable or powerful to the people (Panikkar, 2019). The resultant effect of this is that even
in the present times these sacred spirits are the totems around which the people have formed a
kinship or for that matter developed a group which in turn worships the concerned totem or
deity. Another important feature of the concerned religion is the fact that both male and
female Gods are being given equal preference and thereby worshipped by the common
people (Barua, 2015). More importantly, over the years it had been seen that the Indian
people have integrated the different aspects of the concerned religion within the framework
of their cultural traditions and this in turn had contributed in a substantial manner towards the
creation of a unique Indian culture.
As argued by Brockington (2016), one of the most important issues that the scholars
face for the analysis of the religion of Hinduism is the fact the attitude of the followers of the
concerned religion towards the environment or more precisely, the animals. As a matter of
fact, it is seen that the majority of the Hindus regard the animals particularly the cow to be
holy and thereby they desist from eating the meat or the flesh of animals or fishes (Scott,
2016). However, at the same time it had been seen that since the traditional times the Hindus

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have taken the help of different kinds of rituals for pleasing their deities or for the purpose of
earning the blessings of these deities (Shin, 2017). In this regard, it needs to be said that one
of the most important aspects of these rituals was the fact that they required the devotees to
sacrifice different animals and also consume the same for gain the blessings of the concerned
deities. It is pertinent to note that in the present times these animal sacrificial rites or rituals
are no longer being performed by the Hindus for pleasing the Gods yet at the same time it is
seen that unlike the earlier times the Hindus are consuming meat or flesh in complete
disregard of the precepts of their religion (Panikkar, 2019). More importantly, it is seen that
the religion of Hinduism has a positive standpoint towards the environment and its
conservation and as a matter of fact the concerned religion acknowledges environment as one
of the most important factors which supports life on the earth. In this regard, the lines “Do
not cut trees, because they remove pollution” (Rig Veda, 6:48:17), “Destruction of forests is
taken as destruction of the state, and reforestation an act of rebuilding the state and advancing
its welfare. Protection of animals is considered a sacred duty” (Charak Sanhita) are important
to note (Manian & Bullock, 2016). Thus, it can be said that although the concerned religion
has an unclear standpoint regarding the animals yet when it comes to the aspect of
environment it presents a united picture for the need to conserve it.
To conclude, the machinery of religion greatly influences the cultural traditions or the
beliefs followed by a particular group of people and as a matter of fact it is seen that the
different precepts of the religion which are being followed by the people are integrated within
the cultural framework followed by the people. In this regard, it needs to be said that the
majority of the religions of the world can be categorised into the monotheistic and
polytheistic belief system or forms of religion depending on whether the followers of a
particular religion worship one God or multiple Gods. More importantly, it is seen that the
factor of religion or more precisely the religious precepts greatly influences the attitude or the

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outlook of the people towards the animals or for that towards the environment itself. For
example, if a particular religion requires its followers to indulge in animal sacrifices then it is
likely that the followers of the concerned religion are likely to have a negative attitude
towards the animals and vice versa. These aspects of the monotheistic and polytheistic belief
system or forms of religion become apparent from the above analysis of the religions of
Christianity and Hinduism.
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