Do you believe in a deity or "something else"?

[DreamHawkRed]

With all of the chat regarding Gods and Goddesses, I am curious to know how many people believe in a diety or several dieties as opposed to those who believe in just a universal energy or other non-diety source? Does everyone give form or symbol to their beliefs or just feel/know that something simply "is" without giving it form?

[Sylv]

*grin* I voted for the several deities and the other. So I'll give a brief explanation.
I know that there are deities out there, and am a hard polytheist: the different deities are not just archetypes, but actual beings. I, well, don't know if 'worship' is the right word, but I learn from, talk with, lean on, etc. these beings.
That being said, I think that these beings have presented themselves to more than one culture (maybe it stems from me moving around a lot: I imagine it'd be boring to hang out in the same culture for eternity :D ) and that these cultures have interpreted them in different ways. I don't think it's a coincidence that we see the same themes and deities reflected in more than one culture, but I don't think it's a 'collective unconscious'; instead, I think it's that the gods don't limit who they choose to have a relationship with based on their ethnicity.
Hope this makes sense, hehe.

[Raevyn]

I actually believe in both - a universal divine energy, All, and manifestations of it in unique individual deities (they aren't just facets of energy, but unique individuals), yet I don't work with Greek, Celtic, etc. Gods at this time. I don't even know if I'd call my relationship with them worship, either. I'm not sure if that's hard or soft polytheism or even monolatrist (I'm no good at terms - ask Mithrea).

[Ahautenites]

You beat me to it, Raevyn. **grins**

I'm a "both", too. Definitely monlatry, the belief in the One and the Many (as facets of that One).

[sassure]

Raevyn put it very well....I believe there are many deities, though I also believe there is a sort of hierarchy crowned by the supreme deity that the major religions refer to as God....and that there is room in this hierarchy for sub-deities that are often called "angels", even "demons"...

[Storm]

I voted other. I believe in a universal being but it is not a being. It is everything. Universal matter. It touches everything and is a part of everything. It is neither male nor female. But then I believe in beings that live in a plane near us that are more evolved than us and more advanced and much stronger than us. They are here to help us, guide us. To do their best to see we learn and achieve the goals we set out to achieve.. not necessarily to make life peachy and perfect. We forget that and get angry when bad things happen. Are these beings the gods of mythology. I don't know. But I agree with Sylv that they aren't tied to a culture and they may pop up under dif. names in dif areas. Hmmf, I guess I AM saying they are the gods of mythology but the stories are ours not theirs.

[stevie]

I too believe that all the Gods and Godess people worship relate back to one "divine force". It is just easier for most humans to see this force as a being(s). I personal pray mostly to Thor and Sif, and sometime Freya and Odin too.

[Firerose]

I believe that there is one true spirit that manifests itself in everything-appearing as different deitys to everyone.

[Avar_Merithien]

I voted "other" too; I believe the divine universe itself is "God".
I believe "God" is what connects everything in existence.

[Xentor]

Greetings,

Although I do belief a God once created our universe, I also belief s/he died in that process, transferring their own energy into the new universe.

Hence no need to worship. Wouldn't want to worship the entire universe. Never really tried it either. I'm afraid the universe is a bit too large for my humble worshipping.

My belief also incorporates the rise of a new God. Their sole purpose is to create the next universe. But we don't need to worship them either, for we believe our existence serves their purpose.

In four (five?) words: My God doesn't care.

[DreamHawkRed]

I always enjoy reading others thoughts as that is the only way we can truly grow. I identify with much of what has already been said.

I do not believe in a "deity" persay, rather in just one universal energy that connects and binds us to everyone and everything on all levels (different astral planes, etc.). I believe that we are each part of that energy and all part of each other and all things. I feel that deities are a form given to different aspects of this energy to help humans better associate with the energy on a familiar and comfortable level. I don't view the energy as a "being" but rather as all things - past, present, and future - in a state of constant "now".

I don't know if I've made any sense here... I give myself a headache just trying to describe it. :woah: *LOL*

[Sequoia]

I checked "several" because I do. . . though due to some rather beautiful and unbelievable events (and people) in my life recently, I've begun to wonder if perhaps they aren't all somehow related, if not part of one big happy deity ;)

I just have an aweful lot of trouble beliving that there's just one out there, given the nature of life and the universe. But perhaps they're all tied together some how.

Maybe god has multiple personalities? :huh:

[WynterWynd]

I believe in the One and the Many!;)

[Mnemosyne]

Originally posted by VroomBroom

I believe in the One and the Many!;)

It sounds like you have share the monolatrist belief with Raevyn and Nefer. To be honest, I was totally oblivious to that idea until a few months ago.

I do believe in many deities. As some of you already mentioned, I believe in a hierarchy of supreme deities, minor deites,...etc.

[Armitage]

The World according to Me: There is a divine Source, an energy which we all share in Sparks. A.K.A. aether, chaos, kia, spirit, chi, whatever. Then there is the personification and personality of that Source, which most call God; the face and persona differ for different people. Then there are the Deities, those who are like facets of a whole, but stand enough on their own not to be totally just parts of the Source. Maybe using the gem analogy, like many quartz crystals growing from the same matrix.

[~J-3]

I voted that I don't worship....the thing is though, I recognize different dieties. My guides speak to me and I pray to them and to God...my prayers are requests for answers...not worship, for me.

[mol]

Originally posted by ~J-3

I voted that I don't worship....the thing is though, I recognize different dieties. My guides speak to me and I pray to them and to God...my prayers are requests for answers...not worship, for me.

Why not worship? As I read this thread I wonder how many pray to a God/Goddess and yet never offer anything in return. ;)

[Mnemosyne]

It sounds like J-3 has developed his/ her own connection with the deity. Some people just do what feels right to them. Some people don't worship the deities. After all, they want a relationship with the deities based on respect. Also, I think that we have different ideas on what worship actually means.