Polytheism and Its Relation to Adherence to the Pattern of the Ancestors
The available summary describes polytheism as adherence to what fathers and grandfathers followed, contrasting this with limiting polytheism to merely declaring worship of an idol or another god. The basis for this assertion is an episode summary, not a verbatim text from it; therefore, the attribution of the wording and its details remain under review.
Atlas Explanation
This page records the meaning of the claim within its narrow scope: polytheism here is presented as connected to following an inherited pattern. The page does not extend this meaning to other conclusions unless they are established by the episode text or a direct primary source.
Conclusion
No synthetic conclusion is recorded at this stage, since the available evidence consists only of a single summary unsupported by a verbatim quotation.
Open Question
Does Shahrur, in the same episode, connect this meaning to development, plurality, or intergenerational conflict? Does he qualify the judgment by a particular type of adherence? The available evidence does not settle this and requires consulting the original episode 16.
Nearby Reading Paths
For exploration at the book level, without treating the links as direct evidence for this claim: Islam and Faith, Religion and Power, Toward New Foundations for Islamic Jurisprudence.