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The term is attested in English from ], and was probably coined to contrast with ''atheism'' attested from ca. ] (see the etymology section of ] for details). The term is attested in English from ], and was probably coined to contrast with ''atheism'' attested from ca. ] (see the etymology section of ] for details).


Views about the existence of God are commonly divided into these categories:
The primary meaning sees four major views of the role of the divine in the world in this context:


#]: The doctrine that there is no God.
#]: Rejection of belief in the existence of God: either on the grounds that there is evidence for the non-existence of God, or that the existence of God has not been adequately demonstrated.
#]: The existence of God or gods is unknown and/or inherently unknowable; rejects ]. #]: The belief that the existence of God or gods is unknown and/or inherently unknowable.
#]: God created the world but does not interact with it. Emphasis on deities' ]. #]: The doctrine that God created the world but does not interact with it. This view emphasizes the deities' ].
#] (second definition): God(s) is ] in the world, yet transcends it: #] (second definition): The doctrine God(s) is ] in the world, yet transcends it:
:*]: Type of theism; belief in several or many gods. :*]: The belief that there is more than one god.
::#]: Several gods, but only one of them is worshipped. ::#]: The belief that there is more than one god, but only one of should be worshipped.
::#]: Several gods are worshipped, but one is seen as supreme. ::#]: The belief that there is more than one god, but one is supreme.
::#]: Worship of one god at a time, seeing each as supreme in turn. ::#]: The belief that there is more than one god, but only one god at a time should be worshipped. Each is supreme in turn.
:*]: Type of theism; belief in one god. :*]: The belief in one god.
::#]: Everything is of one essential ] or ]. ::#]: The belief that everything is of one essential ] or ].
::#]: Everything is of two essential essences or energies. ::#]: The belief that everything is of two essential essences or energies.
::#]: Everything is of many essential essences or energies. ::#]: The belief that everything is of many essential essences or energies.
#]: The world is entirely contained within God, while at the same time God is something greater than just the world. #]: The belief that the world is entirely contained within God, while at the same time God is something greater than just the world.
#]: The world is identical to God; emphasis on the deity's immanence. #]: The belief that the world is identical to God.




Revision as of 01:51, 17 September 2005

Theism is the belief in one or more gods or goddesses. More specifically, it may also mean the belief in God, a god, or gods, who is/are actively involved in maintaining the Universe. This secondary meaning is shown in context to other beliefs concerning the divine below.

The term is attested in English from 1678, and was probably coined to contrast with atheism attested from ca. 1587 (see the etymology section of atheism for details).

Views about the existence of God are commonly divided into these categories:

  1. Atheism: The doctrine that there is no God.
  2. Agnosticism: The belief that the existence of God or gods is unknown and/or inherently unknowable.
  3. Deism: The doctrine that God created the world but does not interact with it. This view emphasizes the deities' transcendence.
  4. Theism (second definition): The doctrine God(s) is immanent in the world, yet transcends it:
  • Polytheism: The belief that there is more than one god.
  1. Monolatry: The belief that there is more than one god, but only one of should be worshipped.
  2. Henotheism: The belief that there is more than one god, but one is supreme.
  3. Kathenotheism: The belief that there is more than one god, but only one god at a time should be worshipped. Each is supreme in turn.
  1. Monistic: The belief that everything is of one essential essence or energy.
  2. Dualism: The belief that everything is of two essential essences or energies.
  3. Pluralism: The belief that everything is of many essential essences or energies.
  1. Panentheism: The belief that the world is entirely contained within God, while at the same time God is something greater than just the world.
  2. Pantheism: The belief that the world is identical to God.


Within Polytheism there are “Hard” and “Soft” varieties. Hard polytheism views the gods as being distinct and separate beings, Soft polytheism views the gods as being subsumed into a greater whole.

Within monotheism there are exclusive and inclusive forms. Exclusive monotheism can be monistic (Judaism, Islam), dualistic (Parsis/Zoroastrian) and pluralistic (Christianity). Some forms of Hinduism and Neopaganism could be considered Inclusive monotheism.

Finally, the distinction can be made between belief in the existence of gods, and assertions about their benevolence or morality, or the belief in God as the summum bonum: see eutheism and dystheism.

Typical theistic religions are Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Saivism, Vaishnavism, Bahá'í, and Sikhism.

Compare: Atheism, Agnosticism

See also

Category: