One of the first ideas that arises in consciousness when one speaks about religion is that of a god or gods. But that is not always a correct assumption, as religion can also be godless. An example of godless religion is some people's absolute belief that there is no god at all. Of course, speaking about god and gods is in itself rather cumbersome as so rarely, if ever, is a proper and clear description or explanation given as to what the word 'god' refers to. But that does not seem to bother either the god-relious or the atheists - it seems that to them the most important things is that they can argue their views to a place where they have safely convinced themselves to be.

Another godless religion - well in the traditional sense - is science, now also often referred to as scientism. Yes, one may argue that they have little gods like Einstein and others, but that is usually figuratively speaking - a manner of speaking about a highly admired personae.

Finally, for the purpose this introduction we have the poly-god religions. Hinduism has thousands of gods, and one is free to conjecture another if there is the need. The Roman Catholic Church has a similar propensity for making god - or should I say little gods. Yes, of course they talk about their main god, but then there is Maria, Paul, Peter, as well as a host of what they call saints - in effect gods of a limited nature. Of course, that may contradict some sensibilities about the meaning of the word god, but these semi types are found throughout history in Greece and Rome for instance, while the Egyptians also had a number.

Incidentally, since the Pope, who is a kind of representative while his main god is out of town, can degree who becomes a saint - semi-god - or not, one wonders if that does not make him a bit of a god himself.