PANTHEISM

Tim writes: "However, growth is progressive and I've found many polytheists to be more progressive and nature-centric in their faith than Christianity with its Bible-centric approach to religion."A couple days ago I was reading an interesting take on polytheism and monotheism written by Huston Smith in his book "Why Religion Matters." Smith contends that atheism, polytheism, monotheism, and mysticism are not progressions, but are human temperaments. He contends that in any period and in any culture there will be people with each of these temperaments. As an example, I have a sister-in-law who is a very devote Catholic. She is really into going to so-called sacred places like Fatima and Lourdes. I think Smith would say that she has a polytheistic temperament, even though if asked she would say she was a firm monotheist.By the way, the Smith book is worth reading. Even though I disagree with much that he says, Smith provides a well thought out defense of traditional religion.Thomas