Definition

Noun: - The worship of human beings: The practice of regarding or treating a human being as a deity or an object of divine worship.

Usage

This is a formal, specialized term used primarily in academic, religious, or historical discussions to describe a specific type of veneration or cultic practice. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Examples

• The ancient ruler demanded anthropolatry from his subjects, insisting they worship him as a living god.
• Scholars debate whether the veneration of certain political leaders in the 20th century crossed the line into anthropolatry.
• The concept of anthropolatry is often examined in contrast to the worship of traditional deities.

Advanced Usage

• Theological Critique: The term is frequently used in theological writings to criticize systems of belief or practice that are perceived to assign divine attributes to humans, which is considered idolatrous in many religions.
  • The prophet condemned the tribe's anthropolatry, calling them back to the worship of the one true God.

Variants and Related Words

• Anthropolater (noun): A person who engages in or advocates for the worship of human beings.
  • The cult leader was the chief anthropolater.
• Anthropolatrous (adjective): Pertaining to or characterized by the worship of human beings.
  • The anthropolatrous rituals were documented by early explorers.

Synonyms

• Human-worship: A more direct, compound synonym.
• Deification: The act of making someone into a god. (Note: While closely related, "deification" can refer to the process or the resulting state, whereas "anthropolatry" specifically denotes the of worship.)
• Apotheosis: The elevation of someone to divine status. (Note: This often refers to the conceptual or symbolic glorification rather than the literal act of worship.)

Related Concepts

• Idolatry: The worship of idols. In many religious contexts, anthropolatry is considered a specific form of idolatry.
• Cult of personality: Extreme admiration for a political leader, often involving elements of anthropolatry.
• Hagiolatry: The worship or excessive veneration of saints. This is a related but distinct concept, as it typically occurs within a framework that still acknowledges a supreme deity.

Noun

1. the worship of human beings