I recall reading that monotheism was often a evolution due to political concerns where the preferred God of rulers became the only God that could be worshipped and recognized. Any and all offerings must be made only to this preferred diety.

Regardless of the status of Gods, even monotheisti Gods are surrounded by a 'heavenly hosts' of helpers. In Christianity, they're angels some with names and specific roles. The model is of monarchies where a monotheist God or a polytheist king of Gods sits on a throne as if holding court.

I honestly never thought of religion that way and find it fascinating to learn some people do. So thanks for sharing.

Very well stated , either way one is looking outside themselves for meaning and becomes vulnerable to rationalizing to justify their decision making .

Well actually I had had more to write but the Agnostic.com interface posted it for me. I'm encouraged now to stop here and listen to what others might have to say.

I am encouraged in my understanding of the 'AWESOME' power of Universal love manifestation and it's manifestation of sentient behaviours.

Isn't it a pity that organized Monotheism acts so strongly to interefere with the Universal Truth.

I am firstborn

My mother would say to me; "You are allowed to 'stamp your feet' ; but you may not hit your brother."

  -      -      -      -      -      -

I invite contribution, even disagreement, and even debate.

     " It is my observation that the test of goodness is in the degree of kindness in 'behaviours.' "

The idea that one thing is god opens up the possibility that another thing is not god. Extrapolates to; that one thing is good and that another thing is not good. In fact every thing is good. "everything that IS, is derived from the single power of the universe and is powered by the single power of the universe. It IS good.

What is sometimes (well often!) not good; is behaviour (situational behaviour.))

The belief is that what is not real is dangerous either way. Poly or mono non-existance has no more existance.

Good point you are making

I've not read that book of Dawkins, but what you describe makes sense to me. I've never bothered about the transition, as it is all fairy tales to me. I've long been aware that the RC church co-opted indigenous religions as they spread their particular message.
I've read an inscription on a peace tablet, at a Buddhist meditation center, that read, "When the Buddha's mother found out that she would bear...." This is just a sad example of chasing after the RC formula, in the USA. Having done some reading about Buddhism taken an on-line course on it, I never came across anything like this. My undertanding is that the Buddha did not see his teachings a founding a religion, in the first place.

It was an "evolution" of religious dogma, not because it was somehow an improvement over polytheism. It was simply far more efficient in legitimizing the consolidation of power under one despot over many despots. Religion is a man-made virus that feeds off of, and at the same time nourishes, the current power structure. It changes its shape and function depending on the political/economical/social landscape.

So, yes, Dawkins is absolutely right. The only reason why there is a general belief that monotheism is somehow better than polytheism is because the current powers-that-be subscribes to and benefits from monotheistic religion.

Oh, and here is one of the clearest examples of how the religion reshapes itself to serve the ruling power.

[history.com]

Guess it was becoming difficult to sell all those gods. The mono god seems to be changing as well. I've noticed (within my small world) a drift from believing in a sky daddy to fuzzier concepts such as a spiritual feeling or force. And for diversity some like to worship Mother Nature.

Have you read Yuval Noah Harari's latest book 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow'? If not, I highly recommend it. His book 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' is equally good. One of the things they cover is the development of religions and how they evolved along with human societies. His writing is clear and concise and expands your perspective.

move on the "Sapiens" by Yuval Harari