MONOLATRIST Meaning and
Definition
-
A monolatrist is a term used to describe a person who practices or believes in a religious system that acknowledges the existence of multiple gods or deities but chooses to worship only one specific deity. It refers to a form of religious devotion where an individual or a community recognizes the existence of a multitude of divine entities, while selecting and showing exclusive devotion to a particular god among them.
The concept of monolatrism is found in various ancient civilizations, particularly in polytheistic cultures where a myriad of gods and goddesses were worshipped. Monolatrists distinguish themselves from monotheists who believe in the existence of a single divine being, as monolatry allows for the acknowledgment and reverence of several deities without denying their existence.
Monolatrism can be seen as an intermediate stage between polytheism and monotheism, where followers recognize and respect a pantheon of gods, while directing their primary focus and worship towards one particular deity. This chosen deity is often considered the supreme or most powerful among the many gods and is regarded as deserving of exclusive reverence and devotion.
The term "monolatrist" can also be used to describe religious traditions that exhibit characteristics of monolatry. It highlights the unique religious perspective where one deity is elevated above others in terms of devotion and reverence, yet does not deny or invalidate the existence of multiple divine entities.
Common Misspellings for MONOLATRIST
- nonolatrist
- konolatrist
- jonolatrist
- minolatrist
- mknolatrist
- mlnolatrist
- mpnolatrist
- m0nolatrist
- m9nolatrist
- mobolatrist
- momolatrist
- mojolatrist
- moholatrist
- monilatrist
- monklatrist
- monllatrist
- monplatrist
- mon0latrist
- mon9latrist
- monokatrist
Etymology of MONOLATRIST
The word "monolatrist" is composed of two elements: "mono-" and "latrist".
1. "Mono-" is derived from the Greek word "monos", meaning "alone" or "single". It is commonly used to indicate singularity or exclusivity.
2. "Latrist" is derived from the Greek word "latreia", meaning "worship" or "service". This word was then transformed into the Latin form "latr-", which means "to serve" or "to worship".
Therefore, "monolatrist" can be understood as someone who practices or believes in the worship or service of only one god, while not denying the existence of other gods.
