Theism is defined as a philosophical system which interprets man's worthiness in terms of one God [1]. Thus it is the belief in the existence of one or more divinities or deities. The term itself is interchangeable with monotheism. There is also a narrower sense in which theism refers to the belief that at least one divinity is immanent in the world, yet transcends it, along with the idea that this divinity (perhaps among others) is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent [2]. Theism contrasts with nontheism, the state of not believing in deities.
The term itself was first used by Ralph Cudworth (1617-1688) [3],and was probably coined to contrast with atheism, a term that is attested from ca. 1587 (see the etymology section of atheism for details).
Divisions by numbers of deities
Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief that there is only one deity. [4]
- Inclusive monotheism: The belief that there is only one deity, and that all other claimed deities are just different names for it. The Hindu denomination of Smartism is an example of inclusive monotheism.
- Exclusive monotheism: The belief that there is only one deity, and that all other claimed deities are distinct from it and false — either invented, demonic, or simply incorrect. Most Abrahamic religions, and certain versions of the Hindu denomination of Vaishnavism, such as ISKCON which regard the worship of anyone other than Vishnu as incorrect are examples of exclusive monotheism.
The earliest known form of monotheism still in practice is Judaism.
Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief that there is more than one deity.[5] In practice, polytheism is not just the belief that there are multiple gods; it usually includes belief in the existence of a specific pantheon of distinct deities.
Within polytheism there are hard and soft varieties:
Polytheism is also divided according to how the individual deities are regarded:
- Henotheism: The belief that there may be more than one deity, but one is supreme.
- Monolatry: The belief that there may be more than one deity, but only one should be worshiped.
- Kathenotheism: The belief that there is more than one deity, but only one deity at a time should be worshiped. Each is supreme in turn.
Divisions by natures of deities
- Misotheism: the belief that some god or gods are evil.
- Pantheism: The belief that the physical universe is equivalent to God, and that there is no 'division'.[6]
- Panentheism: Like Pantheism, the belief that the physical universe is joined to God. However, it also believes that God is greater than the universe.
- Cosmotheism: The belief that man is The Creator. Man and the cosmos are one, thus the will of man is the will of the cosmos and the will of the cosmos is the will of man.
- Deism is the belief that a god or gods exists, but does not interact with the known universe.[7] It typically rejects supernatural events (prophecy, miracles) and divine revelation prominent in organized religion, along with holy books and revealed religions that assert the existence of such things. Instead, Deism holds that religious beliefs must be founded on human reason and observed features of the natural world, and that these sources reveal the existence of a supreme being as creator.[8]
- Pandeism: The belief that God preceded the universe and created it, but is now equivalent with it.
- Polydeism: The belief that multiple gods existed, but do not intervene with the universe.
References
- ^ Halsey, William; Robert H. Blackburn, Sir Frank Francis (1969). in Louis Shores: Collier's Encyclopedia, 20 22 (in English), Crowell-Collier Educational Corporation, 266-267.
- ^ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04679b.htm "Deism", in The Catholic Encyclopedia)
- ^ Halsey, William; Robert H. Blackburn, Sir Frank Francis (1969). in Louis Shores: Collier's Encyclopedia, 20 22 (in English), Crowell-Collier Educational Corporation, 266-267.
- ^ AskOxford: monotheism
- ^ AskOxford: polytheism
- ^ Philosophical Dictionary: Pacifism-Particular
- ^ AskOxford: deism
- ^ Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language (G. & C. Merriam, 1924) defines deism as belief in the existence of a personal God, with disbelief in Christian teaching, or with a purely rationalistic interpretation of Scripture...
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