How Do You Define a "God"?

[HexBomb]

This is something I've struggled with for awhile. In my experience, I've come across so many different definitions of what makes a deity, that I'm just not sure if there is a single working definition that can be agreed on.

So, what traits, to you, are required for something to be a god or goddess? What criteria must be met? Please explain why, and what something would be if they met some but not all of those traits.

 

[LuisDantas]

Pretty good question. The one attribute that I think a god would need to have would be a will of some kind.

Beyond that, it seems that everyone has its own ideas. And I don't think everyone agrees with me that a god must have a will, either.

 

[Skwim]

I leave it to everyone to define the word as they wish, and then go on from there.

 

[1137]

- Free will
- ability to manipulate the natural world beyond what non-gods can do
- existed before the universe or can exist without the universe / physical

I'll come back with more

 

[Tumah]

My understanding of the Biblical word for god, means "power" or maybe "force". Many pantheons may best be described as forces of nature that are imbued (by man) with a sense of self. Maybe that is my definition of a god. A force that has self-identity, and is worshiped.

 

[Aupmanyav]

IMHO, what one worships is God. No worship, no God.

 

[sandandfoam]

When we understand things they are subordinate to us. God is that which is beyond comprehension. God is truth.

 

[HexBomb]

- ability to manipulate the natural world beyond what non-gods can do

So to you, are there greater and lesser gods?

- existed before the universe or can exist without the universe / physical

So would you consider something that came into existence after or with the universe to not be a god?

A force that has self-identity, and is worshiped.

So if something ceases to be worshiped, it ceases to be a god? Like Tinkerbell in Peter Pan?

 

[chinu]

God is the name for origin from where we all started the journey of life in the beginning.

 

[1137]

Quick disclaimer: I'm agnostic, this is theoretical.

So to you, are there greater and lesser gods?

I'd say it's possible. I've always been more drawn to Ancient Egyptian religion than anything so I'd probably take that route.

So would you consider something that came into existence after or with the universe to not be a god?

This is what I tried to clarify by adding that they can exist without the physical - maybe lesser gods came later but are still technically gods.

So if something ceases to be worshiped, it ceases to be a god? Like Tinkerbell in Peter Pan?

I don't think I said this, but I disagree with it. If gods exist, whether they are worshiped or even known about is irrelevant.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

This is something I've struggled with for awhile. In my experience, I've come across so many different definitions of what makes a deity, that I'm just not sure if there is a single working definition that can be agreed on.

I would define God as preternatural Agency. Anything beyond that would almost certainly fall into the category of anthropomorphic speculation.

 

[HexBomb]

I suppose my angle of this comes from beliefs I've encountered, my family never considered the Fair Folk to be gods, but when I met Celtic reconstructionists, they considered them to be gods, which for me raises all sorts of questions about the nature of gods.

 

[Thief]

Almighty.

That is...bigger, faster, stronger, more intelligent and greatly experienced.

Cannot be pushed aside, out maneuvered, subdued, tricked or cheated.

Coupled with the power of creation......God.

 

[Skwim]

God is the name for origin from where we all started the journey of life in the beginning.

So, Big Bang = God?

 

[StarryNightshade]

For me, "God" is something which is greater then oneself and gives a person a sense of awe and wonder.

It can range from the monotheistic god of Abraham, nature, spirits, the prime mover, collective human kindness, or even the universe itself.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

God is the invisible observer many people feel should be looking over their shoulder.

 

[Skwim]

For me, "God" is something which is greater then oneself and gives a person a sense of awe and wonder.

Describes me to a tee. So I expect some bowing and scraping in the future. Maybe even some worship. . . . . but I'll think about it.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

This is something I've struggled with for awhile. In my experience, I've come across so many different definitions of what makes a deity, that I'm just not sure if there is a single working definition that can be agreed on.

So, what traits, to you, are required for something to be a god or goddess? What criteria must be met? Please explain why, and what something would be if they met some but not all of those traits.

The improper wisdom coming from awareness of God's presence, a universally agreed high value, the Orderer of things... and that to me makes God not just the orderer of things, but the things themselves.

 

[1137]

Almighty.

That is...bigger, faster, stronger, more intelligent and greatly experienced.

Cannot be pushed aside, out maneuvered, subdued, tricked or cheated.

Coupled with the power of creation......God.

This could describe my engineering friend who works out.

 

[brokensymmetry]

This is something I've struggled with for awhile. In my experience, I've come across so many different definitions of what makes a deity, that I'm just not sure if there is a single working definition that can be agreed on.

So, what traits, to you, are required for something to be a god or goddess? What criteria must be met? Please explain why, and what something would be if they met some but not all of those traits.

As far as a working definition goes I'd say something like, God is the omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent creator of all things that could possibly be created.