The book introduces polytheism, which is the first religion of human, the origin of polytheism, different forms of polytheism belief: allegory and hero worship, monotheism's origion from polytheism, the confirmation of this theory, the reciprocating flow between polytheism and monotheism, comparison of these religions, relevant persecution and tolerance, courage or humble, rational or absurd, etc.

In this book,Hume pioneers a naturalist account of the causes,effects,and historical development of religious belief.Hume locates the origins of religion in emotion, particularly fear and the desire to control the future. He further argues that monotheism arises from competition between religions,as believers seek to distinguish their deities as superior to all rivals.

David Hume(born David Home;7 May 1711 NS-25 August 1776) was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist,and essayist. He was regarded as one of the most important figures in the Scottish enlightenment and the history of western philosophy. Although modern scholars who study Hume's works only focuse on his philosophical thoughts, but he rose to fame as a historian first. His book, The History of England, had been a foundational work in the field of history in England for 60 to 70 years at that time.