Hinduism developed from the Vedic religion, which was polytheistic. Answer 1 Hinduism is at its deepest a monotheistic religion,although the supreme being of God, or Brahman, can be worshiped inmany different forms. Hindus believe in one supreme God who createdthe universe and can be worshiped as light . Hinduism's Godhas may forms or Avatars. Hinduism is a complex set ofreligious and philosophical thought and does not fit well with asimplistic categorization of monotheism, polytheism or atheism. Itincludes all of these and more. Separate schools of Hindu thoughtvary one from the other in these topics. In some schools all the Hindu gods and the human soul (Ätman) arepart of the Brahman, the supreme soul. Answer 2 It is difficult to summarize Hindu theology since the various Hinduschools contain elements of almost every theological system. Hinduism can be: . Monastic - Only one thing exists; Sankara's school . Pantheistic - Only one divine thing exists so that God isidentical to the world; Brahmanism . Pantheistic - The world is part of God; Ramanuja's School . Theistic - Only one God, distinct from Creation; BhaktiHinduism. Observing other schools, Hinduism can also be atheistic, deistic,or even nihilistic. With such diversity included under the title"Hindu," one may wonder what makes them "Hindu" in the first place.About the only real issue is whether or not a belief systemrecognizes the Vedas as sacred. If it does, then it is Hindu. If not, then it is not Hindu.