henoteismiksi

Henoteism, known as henoteismi in Finnish, is a religious stance in which a single god is worshiped as supreme while acknowledging the existence or potential supremacy of other gods. It sits between monotheism and polytheism: communities emphasize devotion to one deity but do not deny the reality of others.

The term derives from Greek, with henos meaning "one" and theos meaning "god," and is often paired with the suffix -ism. The concept was popularized in 19th-century religious studies by scholars such as Max Müller to describe aspects of ancient and non-Western religions. It is used descriptively, not as a value judgment.

Characteristics include a primary focus of worship on a chosen deity, with other gods regarded as real but subordinate, or as expressions or aspects of the supreme god in some interpretations. The favored deity’s primacy may be historical, sectarian, or regional and can shift within a tradition.

Historical contexts cited by scholars include the Vedic religion, where a chief deity was central in ritual and devotion even as other gods were acknowledged. In some Hindu bhakti traditions, a deity such as Vishnu or Shiva is worshiped as the supreme god, while other deities are recognized as existing in various forms or aspects. Some scholars also discuss henotheistic tendencies in ancient Near Eastern religions or in periods of monolatry, where exclusive worship is practiced without denying other gods.

Modern usage in religious studies describes devotional movements that emphasize one god in practice while allowing belief in others, helping to explain religious dynamics in which exclusive worship is not universally asserted.