I'd read something about the roman gods, appollo, hera, (would gaea, mother goddess fit in?) and how people worshiped each one for different things. Who are the different 'Gods' and what are they known for? Do people still pray to each individually, or have they evolved into God, Buddha, etc..this really interested me, and I wanted to learn more..
The gods of Rome were in effect the Greek gods given latin names. So, Jupiter is Zeus, Ares is Mars, Aphrodite becomes Venus etc. With the advent of Christianity and the conversion of the Empire, the old gods fell from favour. But it seems some 'adaptation' took place - some argue for instance, that the Blessed Virgin Mary replaced Diana as a goddess of popular devotion. To-day, in the Roman Catholic church, Saints fulfill a similar function to the gods of old, in that believers pray to a particular saint for a particular thing. The only fully polytheistic (believing in many gods) cultures in the world today are those of the east, Hinduism, Buddhism to some extent, and Shinto in Japan. As well as some 'indigenous' cultures.
Good answer. You might have more luck asking in the pagan forum about the current state of affairs. Certainly amongst neopagans the worship of the Old Gods is thriving. They do seem to, as a rule, invoke specific one/s for the relevant task and praise. Personally I don't know too much about the Roman Gods, nor worship them (prefer the Celtic patheon, being my heritage) There are some good websites that provide general info. (hint, do a google search) can't think of any of the top of my head though. http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/grmyths.html BTW Gaea is Greek. Her 'equivalent' is apparently Tellus. http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/names.html
I agree with BillBlackBlake, except ... Buddhism officially and unofficially recognizes absolutely no deities whatsoever; it's not polytheistic by any means. If anything, it would be monotheistic, but it's not even that.
I thought the tibetan buddhists believed in a god realm? Regardless, the Buddha wasn't a god and for nearly all buddhists, is not considered one. He's just a man who reached enlightenment and taught it to others.
Yes - that's what I had in mind. I know the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are not 'gods' in the strict sense, but to all intents and purposes they serve the same function. Esp. in the more 'popular' side of Buddhism. People pray to them just as others do to gods or to saints.
Gæa and her counterpart [im nt sure the name i think it may be cosmos] were the parents to the Gods...and then there were the titans... i read somewhere to reach Hades, the God of the underworld, you pound your fists on the ground and shout "Hades" ...but i dont know if this is true
