hennotheism

Hennotheism is a religious concept that describes the worship of a single god while not necessarily denying the existence of other deities. This is distinct from monotheism, which asserts the existence of only one god, and polytheism, which acknowledges the worship of multiple gods. In hennotheistic belief systems, one god is elevated above all others and is the focus of devotion and prayer, but other gods may still be recognized as existing or having some form of power.

This form of worship can be seen as a transition between polytheism and monotheism. A follower might consider their chosen deity to be supreme, the creator, or the most powerful, while still acknowledging the existence of other gods in a subordinate or secondary capacity. The emphasis is on the *exclusive worship* of one god by an individual or a community, rather than on the *exclusive existence* of that god.

Historical examples and interpretations of hennotheism are often debated among scholars. Some scholars suggest that certain phases of ancient Israelite religion might have exhibited hennotheistic tendencies before evolving into strict monotheism. Similarly, some interpretations of certain Hindu traditions are sometimes described as hennotheistic, where devotees may focus their worship on a particular deity like Vishnu or Shiva, while acknowledging the pantheon of other gods. The core idea remains the devotional focus on one supreme deity without outright rejecting the reality of others.