God Against the Gods: The History of Monotheism and Polytheism

Religion is foundational to what it means to be human. Our quest for meaning is as ancient as our very existence, stretching back to a time when Neanderthal burials and Paleolithic figurines suggest our ancestors recognized a power that transcended visible reality. From ancient civilizations to the 21st century, belief in a higher power seems to be a universal human instinct. It tells us much about where we came from—and who we are today.

What’s fascinating is that this universal instinct has led some cultures to believe in one God while others worship a pantheon of higher beings. This divide between God and the gods raises unique questions in humanity’s search for existential meaning, such as:

· What is the role of a higher power in human affairs?

· How do we reach out to a deity (or deities), and which deity do we contact?

· Do good and evil exist in human morality, or are they products of religious doctrine?

· What happens when we die? Is there an afterlife?

Travel across time and around the world to explore these questions and more in God against the Gods: The History of Monotheism and Polytheism. Taught by acclaimed Professor Robert Garland of Colgate University, these 12 thought-provoking lectures introduce you to the world of comparative religion, giving you insights into a variety of religious expressions and human cultures.

Among other domains, your course will cover:

· The earliest manifestations of religion in Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt;

· The pantheons of ancient Greece and Rome;

· The Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;

· Hinduism; and

· Folk religions in the world today.

Throughout your study, you will learn that although religions can be organized according to monotheism versus polytheism, there are core ideas at work among different religions that can unite us in a common humanity. Ultimately, this course is about human connection and the ties that bind us in a chaotic world.