Hintoista

Hintoista is the Finnish term for adherents of hinotheism, a viewpoint in religious studies that holds one god as supreme while acknowledging the existence of other deities. Hinotheism sits between monotheism and polytheism: it centers worship on a single deity but does not deny other gods, which may be understood as subordinate, secondary, or manifestations of the supreme being.

Etymology and usage: The term hinotheism derives from the general Greek roots for “one” and “god,” with the -ism suffix. In Finnish, followers are called hintoisti, and the form hintoista is typically used in possessive or partitive constructions within discussion of the belief system rather than as a standalone label.

Beliefs and practice: A hintoista typically prioritizes devotion, ritual, and prayer toward a particular deity who is regarded as supreme within a broader pantheon. Other gods may be honored and respected, treated as aspects, manifestations, or lesser powers, but they do not receive the same level of devotion or recognition as the supreme deity.

Historical and contextual notes: Hinotheistic patterns have been used by scholars to describe certain phases or strands within various religious traditions, including some periods of Hinduism where specific deities are emphasized as supreme, as well as discussions about ancient Israelite religion and other polytheistic contexts. The concept helps explain how communities navigate devotion within multi-god frameworks.

Criticism and debate: Some scholars question the utility of the term, arguing that it can oversimplify internal diversity within a tradition or blur distinctions with monotheism or polytheism.