Multiculturalism Entails Polytheism: Understanding the Intersection of Culture and Religion
Co-authored with ChatGPT
Multiculturalism, as a concept, is about recognizing and respecting the diversity of cultures and ethnicities within a society. However, when it comes to religion, the discussion can become more complex. Many cultures have deep-rooted religious beliefs and practices that are integral to their identity, and to truly respect these cultures, it is necessary to respect the deities they worship.
John Vervaeke mentioned the idea on Arielle Fridman's show The Multiversity Project [
], that people have replaced monotheism with monogamy after the death of God. In this sense, he suggests that the idea of a single God or belief system has been replaced with a single romantic partner, or the idea of monogamy.
Respect, in this context, can be seen as a form of micro-worship. Acknowledging and giving recognition to the beliefs and practices of others, even if they differ from our own, demonstrates respect for their culture and way of life. To truly respect the cultural diversity within a society, it is necessary to understand that different cultures may have different beliefs about the divine and to approach these beliefs with an open mind and heart.
To ignore or dismiss the religious beliefs and practices of a culture can be seen as disregarding a fundamental aspect of that culture and may result in a lack of respect for it. Embracing polytheism and the micro-worship of different deities is an important aspect of multiculturalism, as it allows us to appreciate and understand the diversity of beliefs and practices within a society.
In conclusion, multiculturalism requires us to embrace the diversity of cultures and religions within a society, including the deities they worship. To ignore or dismiss these beliefs and practices can diminish the respect we show for different cultures and can prevent us from fully appreciating the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that make up our society.