Diffused monotheism

Diffused monotheism (from Greek μόνος "one" and θεός "god," with Middle French diffuser, from Latin diffūsus, past participle of diffundere, from dis- + fundere)¹ is a term primarily used by scholars in the philosophy of religion and theology to refer to the belief in one Supreme Being who consigns authority to myriad lesser divinities or deities,² creating a belief system where the One God is generally acknowledged but worship is centred on the other divinities, making it seem like polytheism while still established in monotheism.³⁴ Closely related to the concept of henotheism, it was originated by E. Bolaji Idowu in 1962.⁵

References

"Diffuse".
Steyne, Philip M. (1989). Gods of Power: A Study of the Beliefs and Practices of Animists. Touch Publications. ISBN 978-1-880828-64-9.
Bolaji, Idowu E. (1994). Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief. African Tree Press. ISBN 978-1-592329-51-9.
Turaki, Yusufu. 1991. Culture and Modernization in Africa. In Cultural Diversity in Africa; Embarrassment or Opportunity? edited by B. J. Van der Walt, 123-44. Potchefstroom: IRS.
"African Traditional Beliefs and Development". 2 July 2018.

[1] "Diffuse".

[2] Steyne, Philip M. (1989). Gods of Power: A Study of the Beliefs and Practices of Animists. Touch Publications. ISBN 978-1-880828-64-9.

[3] Bolaji, Idowu E. (1994). Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief. African Tree Press. ISBN 978-1-592329-51-9.

[4] Turaki, Yusufu. 1991. Culture and Modernization in Africa. In Cultural Diversity in Africa; Embarrassment or Opportunity? edited by B. J. Van der Walt, 123-44. Potchefstroom: IRS.

[5] "African Traditional Beliefs and Development". 2 July 2018.

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References