Important Terms to Know

World Religions

Partner Discussion

Find a partner (try not to have groups of 3)

Decide which of you is going to go “first” in the following activity.

Write down the following words: Polytheism Dualism Monism Pantheism Henotheism Monotheism

1) Both partners, take 1 minute to think about what each of these words mean

2) Now, Partner #1, try to explain to a partner what each word means. Do as many as you are able.

Now…

Have your partner repeat back to you the definitions you gave to them.

Correct any mistakes they might have made in repeating back your definitions.

Next….

Partner #2’s turn! Provide definitions for any terms

your partner could not provide that you may know.

AND fill in any information missing from your partner’s original definition.

Let’s Compare!

Check your definitions against the following “dictionary” definitions of these terms.

Write down any missing information or any additional information that would help you understand the meanings of these terms.

Polytheism

The worship of or belief in more than one God

Dualism

The view that the world consists of two different supernatural entities (usually representing “good” and “evil” or “creator” and “destroyer,” etc.)

Monism

The view that all reality is composed (made up) of and reducible to one substance

Pantheism

A doctrine identifying the deity with the universe

Henotheism

The belief in and worship of a single God while accepting the existence or possible existence of other deities that may also be worshipped.

Monotheism

The belief that there is only one God