The Formation of Monotheism

The controversy, which was provoked during the eighteenth century Europe with Voltaire and Hume being its leading characters, over the question whether polytheism preceded monotheism or vice versa, took on a new form due to the advancements made in the anthropological studies. In contrast with those who believed that monotheism had developed from polytheism, there were those who believed in the primordial monotheism. The author of the present article holds that both of the theories have considered the formation of monotheism with reference to the religions of the uncivilized people, whereas this method isn’t an acceptable one. In order to investigate into this problem adequately, one should consider the polytheistic religions of a variety of civilized people in the ancient periods. He is of opinion that monotheism neither was primordial nor grew out of polytheism. He believes that monotheism was the outcome of a revolt against polytheism or idolatry, and that this event has rarely happened in the history of mankind.