Post by Rakehel on May 10, 2021 10:17:13 GMT -5
Theism
01-02-06, 08:08 AM
Definition of Theism
Theism is the belief in at least one god but maybe more. Theism can come in many different forms. There is a common misconception about theism, however. Too often, people in the West assume that their theism is the only sort of theism and thus define theism in general by the attributes of their particular theism. Their theism would be more accurately described as one form of monotheism.
A Definition of god(s)
But what is this "god" that is generally the object of theism? A god is a being, usually thought of as a person or having personal qualities, who plays a role in mythology and/or religion. This object of belief typically possesses supernatural or extraordinary powers far greater than those which can be attributed to normal, mortal humans.
The development of the idea of a "god" can be clearly observed in the development of religion in the Indian subcontinent. Originally, the Indian "gods" were unparalleled, strong, and victorious rulers who managed to accomplish a many more feats than their contemporaries. Later they were elevated to godhood and worshiped as supernatural deities.
Similar processes can be seen even in the later periods of the Roman Empire, when emperors were routinely declared gods after their death. (Although it was not routine that coherent religions were maintained around them for very long) Indeed, the elevation of powerful warriors or kings to the status of godhood may have been one of the earliest ways belief in gods was developed.
Another aspect in the development of theism would have been the observation of the powerful forces of nature. They all appear to be beyond the influence of humans, but they would also have appeared to be animate, just like humans and animals. This would have led to the belief that unseen, powerful spirits are behind the events in life: animism.
Parallel with the belief in unseen spirits is the desire to influence those spirits - much the way powerful humans are influenced. Early religion therefore developed means by which humans make offerings to the spirits (Via offerings to tribal leaders.) and followed whatever rules and orders the spirits might be thought to have issued. (As the commands of tribal leaders must be followed.) From this arose the tendency towards organized religion.
Defining Agnostic Theism
Just as atheism and theism deal with belief, agnosticism deals with knowledge. 'A' means "without" and 'gnosis' means "knowledge." Thus, agnosticism: without knowledge. Or more specifically: without knowledge of gods.
An agnostic is a person who does not claim absolute knowledge of the existence of god(s). Agnosticism can be classified in a similar manner to atheism:
"weak" agnosticism is simply not knowing or having knowledge about god(s). It is a statement about personal knowledge. The weak agnostic may not know for certain whether god(s) exist but does not preclude that such knowledge can be obtained. "Strong" agnosticism, however, is believing that knowledge about god(s) is not possible, which is making a statement about the possibility of knowledge.
Since atheism and theism deal with belief and agnosticism deals with knowledge, they are actually independent concepts. Hence, it is possible to be an agnostic and a theist. One can have a wide range of beliefs in gods and also not be able to or wish to claim to know for sure whether those gods definitely exist.
There is one version of agnostic theism that has also been called "agnostic realism." A proponent of this view was Herbert Spencer, who wrote in his book First Principles (Published in 1862.): "By continually seeking to know and being continually thrown back with a deepened conviction of the impossibility of knowing, we may keep alive the consciousness that it is alike our highest wisdom and our highest duty to regard that through which all things exist as The Unknowable."
wikipedia.org/theism
01-02-06, 08:08 AM
Definition of Theism
Theism is the belief in at least one god but maybe more. Theism can come in many different forms. There is a common misconception about theism, however. Too often, people in the West assume that their theism is the only sort of theism and thus define theism in general by the attributes of their particular theism. Their theism would be more accurately described as one form of monotheism.
A Definition of god(s)
But what is this "god" that is generally the object of theism? A god is a being, usually thought of as a person or having personal qualities, who plays a role in mythology and/or religion. This object of belief typically possesses supernatural or extraordinary powers far greater than those which can be attributed to normal, mortal humans.
The development of the idea of a "god" can be clearly observed in the development of religion in the Indian subcontinent. Originally, the Indian "gods" were unparalleled, strong, and victorious rulers who managed to accomplish a many more feats than their contemporaries. Later they were elevated to godhood and worshiped as supernatural deities.
Similar processes can be seen even in the later periods of the Roman Empire, when emperors were routinely declared gods after their death. (Although it was not routine that coherent religions were maintained around them for very long) Indeed, the elevation of powerful warriors or kings to the status of godhood may have been one of the earliest ways belief in gods was developed.
Another aspect in the development of theism would have been the observation of the powerful forces of nature. They all appear to be beyond the influence of humans, but they would also have appeared to be animate, just like humans and animals. This would have led to the belief that unseen, powerful spirits are behind the events in life: animism.
Parallel with the belief in unseen spirits is the desire to influence those spirits - much the way powerful humans are influenced. Early religion therefore developed means by which humans make offerings to the spirits (Via offerings to tribal leaders.) and followed whatever rules and orders the spirits might be thought to have issued. (As the commands of tribal leaders must be followed.) From this arose the tendency towards organized religion.
Defining Agnostic Theism
Just as atheism and theism deal with belief, agnosticism deals with knowledge. 'A' means "without" and 'gnosis' means "knowledge." Thus, agnosticism: without knowledge. Or more specifically: without knowledge of gods.
An agnostic is a person who does not claim absolute knowledge of the existence of god(s). Agnosticism can be classified in a similar manner to atheism:
"weak" agnosticism is simply not knowing or having knowledge about god(s). It is a statement about personal knowledge. The weak agnostic may not know for certain whether god(s) exist but does not preclude that such knowledge can be obtained. "Strong" agnosticism, however, is believing that knowledge about god(s) is not possible, which is making a statement about the possibility of knowledge.
Since atheism and theism deal with belief and agnosticism deals with knowledge, they are actually independent concepts. Hence, it is possible to be an agnostic and a theist. One can have a wide range of beliefs in gods and also not be able to or wish to claim to know for sure whether those gods definitely exist.
There is one version of agnostic theism that has also been called "agnostic realism." A proponent of this view was Herbert Spencer, who wrote in his book First Principles (Published in 1862.): "By continually seeking to know and being continually thrown back with a deepened conviction of the impossibility of knowing, we may keep alive the consciousness that it is alike our highest wisdom and our highest duty to regard that through which all things exist as The Unknowable."
wikipedia.org/theism