MONOTHEISM
Monotheism is the belief in one God. It is the belief in the existence of only one God that created the world; and who is Omnipotent and is Omnipresent. Monotheism is distinguished from henotheism, a religious system in which the believers adheres to one particular God out of several (they have faith that there exit different gods). It is different from monolatrism, under which one recognizes the existence of many gods but with the consistent worship of only one particular deity.
Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. It believes in an absolute one, indivisible, and incomparable being, who is the ultimate cause of all existence and every phenomenon.
Among the Christians there has always been debate over the nature of the Godhead: some deny the incarnation of God but some believe Jesus as deity. Christians also believe in Trinity (God, Son and Holy Spirit).
In Islam, God (Allah) is all-powerful and all-knowing, the Creator, Sustainer, and Ordainer of the universe. It believes in ‘tawheed’ (wahid= the only one singular). In Islam Mohammed is the representative of God. Muslims consider Mohammed as Prophet, and some consider him as incarnation of God.
Hinduism is the only religion which believes in many deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and many others of second grade e.g. Inder, Sun, Mars and many more). Besides, they have 3.3 million gods.
Sikhism preaches Oneness of God; to presume any other power equal to, or like that of, God is contradiction in terms. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ordainer of the world; and, who is Omnipotent and is Omnipresent. There can be no incarnation of God. He is Formless.
Also see: Akaal Purakh, Kartaa Purakh.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)