Learning Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to answer the following questions with at least a 70% accuracy.

• Name the major characteristics of polytheism.
• List and describe two types of dualism
• Compare and contrast the concepts of animism, pantheism, and monism.
• Summarize the major steps in the development of western monotheism.
• Describe the characteristics of the monotheism of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
• Define and apply the following terms:
  • immanent
  • transcendent
  • polytheism
  • monarchical polytheism
  • Chartres
  • sky god
  • mother goddess
  • sakti
  • pantheism
  • monism
  • dualism
  • Upanishads
  • atman
  • Brahman
  • Sankara
  • Advaita Vedanta
  • Dao
  • yin
  • yang
  • Zoroastrianism
  • Ahura Mazda
  • Spenta Mainyu
  • Spenta Angra
  • Satan
  • Gnosticism
  • Manicheanism
  • Mani
  • St. Augustine
  • Cyrus
  • animism
  • the Exile
  • henotheism
  • YHWH
  • Moses
  • Abraham
  • Micah
  • anthropomorphism
  • omniscience
  • omnipotence
  • animism
  • sakti
  • I Ching
  • Trinity