Kathenotheism is a term coined by the philologist Max Müller to mean the worship of one god at a time. It is closely related to henotheism. Müller coined the term in reference to the Vedas; where he explained each deity is treated as supreme in turn.
Etymology [edit]
The term kathenotheism, a more specific form of the parent term henotheism, refers to the worship of a succession of supreme gods "one at a time", from the Greek kath' hena "one by one" + theism.[1]
Ancient Greece [edit]
The ancient Orphic religion has a theology comparable to kathenotheism. The Orphic Hymns address each God of the Olympian pantheon as supreme in turn.
Hinduism [edit]
The Smarta sect worship the five major deities as supreme in turn and collectively.
References [edit]
