Rachel Evans
Catholicism is a monotheistic religion, with followers believing in one God and one God only. However, some people argue that Catholicism is polytheistic, with the three persons of the Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—being distinct, as well as the worship of Saints and Mary. While other Abrahamic religions such as Islam and Judaism agree that Catholicism is monotheistic, some sects of Christianity challenge the notion of the Holy Trinity and Saints, as these can be seen as promoting false idolatry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Gods | One God, three persons |
| Polytheistic Aspects | Veneration of Saints, Mary, Satan, etc. |
| Monotheistic Aspects | One God, united as one with the same divine nature |
| History | Violent and intolerant of other religions |
| Theological Discussion | Polytheistic vs Monotheistic |
| Other Religions | Seen as Monotheistic by other Abrahamic religions |
| Trinity | Father, Son, and Holy Spirit |
| Nature of God | One supreme God, Creator and Lord of the world, eternal Spirit |
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What You'll Learn
The Holy Trinity
Catholicism is a monotheistic religion. While the religion's concept of the Holy Trinity may seem polytheistic, with its three distinct persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—these three persons are united as one God, each wholly possessing the same divine nature. The Catechism supports this view, stating that these three pieces of God hold all his tenets but promote them in different ways, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together.
The Son proceeds from the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. These are the two processions in God, which are foundational to the four relations that constitute the three persons in God. The Father actively and eternally generates the Son, constituting the person of God, the Father. The Son is passively generated by the Father, constituting the person of the Son. The Father and the Son actively spirate the Holy Spirit, but this does not constitute a person because the Father and Son are already constituted as persons in relation to each other.
The Holy Spirit is passively spirated by the Father and the Son, constituting the person of the Holy Spirit. This is a spirative" procession, as opposed to the generative" procession that constitutes the Son. As St. Thomas Aquinas explains, the Son is begotten" of the Father, but this is an intellectual "begetting,'> similar to how a "word" proceeds from the knower.
The Holy Spirit's procession is not intellectual or generative but has its origin in God's will and the ultimate act of love between the Father and the Son. This infinite act of love is so perfect and infinite that it becomes a "He" in the third person of the Blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit is revealed in Scripture to possess the same infinite and divine nature as the Father and the Son, as seen in I Cor. 2:10, where it says, "no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
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Saints and idols
Catholicism is a monotheistic religion, with God being the one true object of worship. However, the Catholic Church's use of statues, paintings, and relics of saints and other holy figures has been criticised as idolatrous by some.
Catholics use statues, paintings, and other artistic depictions of saints to recall the person or thing depicted. They are also used as teaching tools, especially for the instruction of the illiterate in the early Church. Catholics argue that these statues are not idols, but are instead sacramental. They are not worshipped, but are used to aid prayer and as a means of requesting the saint's intercession. This is comparable to asking a friend to pray for you, as the saints are believed to be alive and acting in Christ's Body.
The Bible does not forbid the religious use of statues, and in some passages, the Lord commands the making of statues. For example, in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, God instructs the use of statues of cherubim: "And you shall make two cherubim of gold [i.e., two gold statues of angels]; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat" (Exodus 25:18).
However, critics argue that the use of statues and relics of saints violates the commandment: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image". They see the veneration of saints as a form of idolatry, where honour and reverence are given to someone other than God. Some also criticise the Vatican's appointment of saints, arguing that the Bible defines saints as all true believers in Jesus Christ, not just those appointed by the Church.
While the Catholic Church does not consider its use of statues and relics to be idolatrous, there are concerns that in some cultures, the statues of saints and the Virgin Mary have been elevated too high and could be seen as dangerously close to idol worship.
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Catholic doctrine
However, some argue that Catholicism is functionally polytheistic due to its veneration of saints and figures such as Mary, which could be considered a form of idolatry. The Catechism states that the three pieces of God are distinct but fit together, promoting his tenets in different ways.
The argument for monotheism in Catholicism is that there is only one God, and Mary, Jesus, and the saints are not considered gods. The violent and intolerant historical behaviour of Catholics towards other religions is also consistent with the behaviour of monotheistic religions.
On the other hand, one of the arguments for Catholicism being polytheistic is that if something is prayed to and worshipped, then it is essentially a god or has achieved god-status. This is the case with saints, who are prayed to and have statues erected in their honour.
The debate centres around the definition of monotheism and polytheism and how these definitions are interpreted and applied to the complexities of Catholic doctrine.
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Polytheistic nature-worship
Nature worship is a system of religion based on the veneration of natural phenomena, including the earth, nature, and fertility deities. The worship of nature is evident in several religions and spiritual practices throughout history.
Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, many natural forces were personified and worshipped as gods and goddesses. For example, Poseidon was the god of the sea, controlling storms, earthquakes, and horses. Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, was believed to be responsible for the fertility of the earth and the changing seasons. Rituals dedicated to these deities often included offerings, sacrifices, and festivals like the Eleusinian Mysteries, which celebrated the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth in alignment with the agricultural calendar.
Native American Belief Systems
The Great Spirit, a central figure in many Native American belief systems, was considered the creator and sustainer of all life, with control over the natural world. Specific tribes also worshipped particular natural forces, such as the Iroquois' reverence for Thunder Beings, who were believed to bring rain and fertility to the land. Rituals to honor these deities included dances, songs, and offerings.
Hinduism
Hinduism encompasses both monotheistic and polytheistic tendencies. Hindus venerate deities in the form of the pratima, or idol. The sun and the moon are considered deities, and prayers are offered for good crops or while purchasing land. Agni, the god of fire, is one of the most ancient and revered deities, representing the vital force of life and the medium through which offerings are made to other gods.
Shinto
Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, is fundamentally a form of nature worship where natural forces are deified as kami (spirits). The sun goddess Amaterasu is the most revered kami in Shinto, symbolizing life, growth, and the continuity of the Japanese nation. Mountains like Mount Fuji are also considered sacred, believed to be the dwelling places of powerful kami. Shinto rituals often involve purification rites, offerings of food and sake, and festivals like Matsuri that celebrate the natural forces and ensure their continued favor.
Paganism
Paganism is a polytheistic, nature-based religion. It includes traditions such as Gaianism, Druidry, and Wicca, which hold the concept of an earth mother goddess. Neopagans, such as Wiccans, profess to be nature worshippers as an essential component of their faith.
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Historical violence and intolerance
Catholicism, like Christianity as a whole, is considered a monotheistic religion. However, throughout history, it has been associated with violence and intolerance, which is consistent with monotheistic religions.
One of the most well-known examples of violence in Catholicism is the Inquisition, which resulted in the persecution and execution of thousands of people. The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the judicial system of the Catholic Church, and it left a dark legacy that is often despised by both critics and followers of Christianity.
Another example of violence in Catholicism is the Crusades, which further separated the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity. The First Crusade was launched in response to the Byzantine Emperor's appeal for help against the invading Seljuq Turks. However, it resulted in the Massacre of the Latins in 1182, where "Latin" (Roman Catholic) merchants and their families were targeted in Constantinople.
Intolerance and violence against Catholics have also occurred throughout history. In the 19th century, anti-Catholic sentiment was prominent in the US due to the influx of Catholic immigrants from Europe. This led to discrimination, mob violence, and the killing of Catholics, fueled by claims that Catholics were destroying American culture. Similarly, in the late 19th century, southern US evangelical Protestants used terror tactics to suppress competition from other religious groups, including Catholics.
Additionally, sectarian conflict between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Ireland has a long history, dating back to the 16th century. This conflict has been connected to nationalism, and records show that religious leaders and politicians have often stirred up and capitalized on sectarian hatred and violence.
While Catholicism has historically been associated with violence and intolerance, it is important to note that Christian attitudes towards violence have varied over time and across different geographical locations. Today, Christianity, including Catholicism, is generally averse to violence and promotes pacifism.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Christianity is monotheistic as it believes in one God only.
Some people argue that Catholic Christianity is polytheistic because of the existence of the Holy Trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), which can be seen as three distinct persons or gods. Additionally, the existence of saints and their idolization by followers can be seen as promoting false idolatry.
Catholics argue that the three persons of the Holy Trinity are united as one God because they each wholly possess the same divine nature. They emphasize the distinction between "distinct" and "separate," with "separate" implying polytheism.
Monotheism is a central doctrine in Catholic Christianity, inherited from Judaism. It is the belief in one supreme God, the Creator and Lord of the world, who is eternal, all-powerful, all-wise, and all-good.
Catholic Christianity is often compared to other Abrahamic religions like Islam and Judaism, which are also monotheistic. While other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism can be considered polytheistic or a mix of both monotheistic and polytheistic tendencies.
