PsyloSurgeon
Banned
Currently the largest surviving polytheistic culture is Hinduism, predominantly in India and Nepal.
Chinese folk religion might qualify, but it is seen by many as a set of traditions accessory to Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Taoism could qualify, but it might be more nontheistic like how Buddhism and Jainism are. It seems Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism take precedence over the Chinese folk religion, which places it in a rather unusual situation. Perhaps comparable to the relationship between Folk Catholicism and Roman Catholic doctrine.
Shintoism is rather unusual in other aspects. Japanese religion was largely Buddhism fused with Kami worship, the latter of which was separated from the former by the Meiji government in 1800s. So in a sense, organized Shintoism emerged recently while worship of Kami has existed since prehistory.
There are other East Asian practices such as Vietnamese folk and Bon religion of Tibet which all are superimposed with Taoist, Confucian and Buddhist influence.
Of the East Asian religions, it is Shintoism and Bon that are the most institutionalized. Bon is largely secondary to Vajrayana buddhism in Tibetan culture.
Then there are the traditional religions of Africa, Americas and Pacific of which I do not how much knowledge of. Christianity and Islam has largely supplanted these cultures in Africa in the last few centuries, and the same can be said of the American and Pacific cultures.
There are exceptions such as Vodun, and Dogon, which is influential in Togo and Mali despite the dominance of christianity and islam. Vodun is unique for it capacity to spread and compete against centuries of Christian influence. Dogon are interesting in their strong religious identity and their competition with Islamic influences. Not to mention Serer in senegal, but it has largely been overtaken by Islam and christianity. They presently exist as folk practices under a veneer of Islam or Christianity.
Candidates
I believe there are several candidates that could could emerge as a major polytheistic culture.
1. East Asian Religions: The institutionalization and doctrinization as what happened with shintoism could replicated much earlier in East Asian history, perhaps during the Ming dynasty. The most likely scenario.
2. African religions: The Serer establish close contacts with the Berber peoples, and they thus develop into a more stronger civilization. They thus develop their own doctrines by around the 8th century AD. They manage to become a significant competitor to Islamic influence, and spread throughout the Sahel region. The Hausa, Fulani, and Mandinka adopt Serer religion. Might be plausible but require significant early development.
3. Native American religion: The Aztec religion reforms to be centered around the worship of Quetzalcoatl, and human sacrifice is abolished in favor of flower offerings. The Aztecs beat back the europeans, but undergo heavy decline after european contact. Over time, the Aztecs adopt Eurasian package and begin a long recovery. Due to competition to christianity, the Aztec religion becomes more robust and largely defeats Christianity. Might be somewhat difficult due to various factors.
4. Arabian paganism: The cult of the triple goddess expands with the Arab conquests, and becomes a rival to christianity. Possible, but possibly of marginalization by christianity is high.
5. Tengrism: Perhaps the Turko-mongol khanates patronize this religion and develop it. Almost happened OTL, but might be hard competing against Islam, Christianity, Buddhism.
6. Norse Paganism: Pagan Norse colonize Vinland, and are cut off from Europe. They expand and Norsify North America. They form a Mestizo American civilization. This might be too hard.
Chinese folk religion might qualify, but it is seen by many as a set of traditions accessory to Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. Taoism could qualify, but it might be more nontheistic like how Buddhism and Jainism are. It seems Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism take precedence over the Chinese folk religion, which places it in a rather unusual situation. Perhaps comparable to the relationship between Folk Catholicism and Roman Catholic doctrine.
Shintoism is rather unusual in other aspects. Japanese religion was largely Buddhism fused with Kami worship, the latter of which was separated from the former by the Meiji government in 1800s. So in a sense, organized Shintoism emerged recently while worship of Kami has existed since prehistory.
There are other East Asian practices such as Vietnamese folk and Bon religion of Tibet which all are superimposed with Taoist, Confucian and Buddhist influence.
Of the East Asian religions, it is Shintoism and Bon that are the most institutionalized. Bon is largely secondary to Vajrayana buddhism in Tibetan culture.
Then there are the traditional religions of Africa, Americas and Pacific of which I do not how much knowledge of. Christianity and Islam has largely supplanted these cultures in Africa in the last few centuries, and the same can be said of the American and Pacific cultures.
There are exceptions such as Vodun, and Dogon, which is influential in Togo and Mali despite the dominance of christianity and islam. Vodun is unique for it capacity to spread and compete against centuries of Christian influence. Dogon are interesting in their strong religious identity and their competition with Islamic influences. Not to mention Serer in senegal, but it has largely been overtaken by Islam and christianity. They presently exist as folk practices under a veneer of Islam or Christianity.
Candidates
I believe there are several candidates that could could emerge as a major polytheistic culture.
1. East Asian Religions: The institutionalization and doctrinization as what happened with shintoism could replicated much earlier in East Asian history, perhaps during the Ming dynasty. The most likely scenario.
2. African religions: The Serer establish close contacts with the Berber peoples, and they thus develop into a more stronger civilization. They thus develop their own doctrines by around the 8th century AD. They manage to become a significant competitor to Islamic influence, and spread throughout the Sahel region. The Hausa, Fulani, and Mandinka adopt Serer religion. Might be plausible but require significant early development.
3. Native American religion: The Aztec religion reforms to be centered around the worship of Quetzalcoatl, and human sacrifice is abolished in favor of flower offerings. The Aztecs beat back the europeans, but undergo heavy decline after european contact. Over time, the Aztecs adopt Eurasian package and begin a long recovery. Due to competition to christianity, the Aztec religion becomes more robust and largely defeats Christianity. Might be somewhat difficult due to various factors.
4. Arabian paganism: The cult of the triple goddess expands with the Arab conquests, and becomes a rival to christianity. Possible, but possibly of marginalization by christianity is high.
5. Tengrism: Perhaps the Turko-mongol khanates patronize this religion and develop it. Almost happened OTL, but might be hard competing against Islam, Christianity, Buddhism.
6. Norse Paganism: Pagan Norse colonize Vinland, and are cut off from Europe. They expand and Norsify North America. They form a Mestizo American civilization. This might be too hard.