Attributes of God
Common traits attributed to most concepts of God are absoluteness and
other superlative qualities. However, many other definitions of the word
exist. For example:
God may be Supreme but is not necessarily a Being.
Some concepts of God may include anthropomorphic attributes, gender, particular
names, and ethnic exclusivity (see Chosen people), while others are purely
transcendent or philosophic concepts.
The concept of God is often embedded in definitions of truth, where the
sum of all truth is equated to God.
There are variations on defining God either as a person, or not as a person
but as an ambiguous impersonal force (see Absolute Infinite). Also at
stake are questions concerning the possibilities of human/God relations.
There are countless variations in traditions of worship and/or appeasement
of God.
Some concepts of God center on a view of God as ultimate, immanent, transcendent,
eternal Reality beyond the shifting and constantly mutable multiplicities
of the sensible world.
In much religious and philosophic thought, God is considered the creator
of the universe.
Some traditions hold that the creator is also the sustainer (as in theism),
while others argue that their God is no longer involved in the world after
creation (as in deism).
The common definition of God assumes omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence,
and omnibenevolence. However, not all systems hold that God is necessarily
morally good (see summum bonum). Some hold that God is the very definition
of moral goodness and that God is equivalent to love. Others maintain
that God is beyond morality.
Negative theology, sometimes called apophatic theology argues that no
true statements about attributes of God can be made at all, while agnostic
positions argue that limited human understanding does not allow for any
conclusive opinions on God whatsoever. Some mystical traditions ascribe
limits to God's powers, arguing that God's supreme nature leaves no room
for spontaneity.
The concept of a singular God is characteristic of monotheism, but there
is no universal definition of monotheism. The differences between monotheism
and polytheism vary among traditions (see also dualism, and henotheism).
Some espouse an exclusionist view, holding to one sole definition of God.
Others hold an inclusionist view, accepting the possibility of more than
one definition of God to be true at the same time.
There are also atheistic explanations for the concept of God that can
include psychological and/or sociological factors.
See also theology below.
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