Monotheism is the doctrinal system that admits the existence of only one deity, which follows a single religion.
Currently, the main monotheistic religions are Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Monotheists believe that the one responsible for creating everything in the Universe is just a single god. Polytheists, for example, believe that each particularity of human nature or activity is the responsibility of different deities.
Some scholars believe that the first religion to adopt monotheism was the Zoroastrianism, founded in ancient Persia by the prophet Zarathustra.
Find out more about the meaning of Zoroastrianism.
It is believed that the concept of monotheism emerged gradually, through the notions of hanotheism (worship of a single god, but recognition of the existence of several), for example.
Etymologically, the term monotheism originated from the addition of the Greek words monos ("single") and theos ("God").
Some monotheistic religions adopt the concept of ethical monotheism, this one developed by the Hebrews, which consists in the idea that God is the basis for ethics in society.
See also the meaning of Theism.
Monotheism and Polytheism
Unlike monotheism, which consists in the belief of only one deity, polytheism is the religious system that validates the existence of multiple gods.
Polytheism was quite common in ancient civilizations such as Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, among others. The gods of these societies represented different characteristics of nature, in addition to being associated with specific human objects, activities and relationships, for example.
Learn more about the meaning of Polytheism and religious diversity.