False Religions

In the case where two religions totally contradict one another with regard to specific doctrines, necessarily, at least one of them has a doctrine that is false. Consider the case of monotheism versus polytheism: monotheism asserts the existence of a single supreme being. By contrast, polytheism asserts the existence of a multitude of spiritual beings, while (usually) denying the existence of a single supreme being. If the one religion is true, then the other must be false, which by definition would make it heretical. Consider another example: deism versus theism. Theism asserts that the deity is a personal being, including properties of knowledge and goodness. Deism also asserts the existence of a deity, but denies this deity is self-aware or pays attention to human prayers. Since theists and deists have inconsistent views, one must be false, which would again make it heretical. The traditional punishment for heresy was death.