Thoughts, Ideas and Beliefs in God
Who or what is God? Is God one or a trinity? Do we meet God at death? There is no one person we can ask questions about God. There is no interviewing God either. What we have are sources such as sacred writings, prophecies, thoughts of philosophers, views on God from ancient cultures, religions and ancient lore, etc. Although we can't question God, we can evaluate the information contained in these sources and draw our own conclusions about who and what God is. On this page you can see the wide range of beliefs of God from the past and around the world today and form your own conclusions.
There are three definitions to the word God.
1) The one Supreme and Infinite Personal Being, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, to whom man owes obedience and worship;
2) the common or generic name for the gods of the polytheistic religions;
3) an idol.
In general terms, God is a being envisioned as the perfect, omnipotent, omniscient creator of the universe and the primary object of worship in religious practices, particularly, the monotheistic beliefs. Some religions believe God is one, others that God is dual, and still others that God is a trinity. God, the great faiths assure us, is everywhere.
Since the beginning of history, humankind has had a belief in higher beings. Ones they referred to as “gods.” These gods were believed to dwell in another realm unseen from the physical eye, yet there to aid and assist humans in a perilous world. In order to survive, the early civilizations put their faith in these gods, finding special ways of worshiping and praying to them. In addition, the image of the gods varied. The idea of the form of god was different with each culture,
civilization and religion. In some cases, “God” was a woman. In other beliefs, “God” took on several forms as in the polytheistic religions. Later, “God” became “one” as seen in the monotheistic religions of today.
Beliefs in God(s): The First Civilizations
Mesopotamia
The name Mesopotamia was derived from Greek. It means “between rivers,” and was defined as the land lying between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris in what is Iraq today. This region was the birthplace of the first civilizations, and was among the leading regions in the world for around 3,000 years. The most important ancient civilizations in that area were the Sumerians (3500 BCE-2000 BCE), the Babylonians (18th century BCE-539 BCE) and the Assyrians (1350 BCE-612 BCE).
In Mesopotamian beliefs, Anu the sky god was the highest of the gods, the “Father” of all the gods and the god of Kings (although he played a small role in the mythology, hymns and cults of the period). He was usually portrayed wearing a headdress with horns, signifying his greatness and strength.
Assyria
Assyria was a civilization that flourished in Mesopotamia from the third millennium B.C. till about 600 B.C. To the Assyrians, God was found in the great powers of the universe and personified in the forms and images of their mythical gods. Their three main gods included Anu, Enlil, and Anush. Their chief god was Anu, whose name is the Sumerian word for “heaven.” Anu was the father and king of the gods. Another important god was Enlil, the air-god and leader of the pantheon from at least 2500 B.C. He later replaced Anu and took on the titles of “king of heaven and earth,” and “king of all the lands.” Ashur was the national god of Assyria. He was a god of war and eventually assumed the role of Enlil.
The Egyptians
Few places on earth possess as rich and well-preserved a past as Egypt. Egypt's monuments, such as the Sphinx and the pyramids, are icons of antiquity. Ancient Egyptian religion was polytheistic. The Egyptians worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses with the supreme god being Osiris.
Osiris presided over the dead, the netherworld and the spirit world. In him came the hope of continued life after death. He was associated with the Nile, whose yearly rise brought renewed life to the earth. His cult probably came the closest to a universal religion in Egypt in pre-Christian times.
Another prominent Egyptian god was Aten, the sun god. In art, Aten was depicted as a disk with rays, each ray terminating in a human hand and bestowing symbols of “life” upon those below. Amenhotep, who later assumed the name Akhenaten, attempted to establish a monotheistic religion with Aten as the sole deity. However, after his death, Egypt was returned to polytheism by Amenhotep IV's successor Tutankhamen. A variation of the name Aten is Aton.
Horus the Elder was an ancient creator god in Egyptian mythology. He was especially venerated in pre-Dynastic Upper Egypt. Horus was the sky god; his eyes were believed to be the sun and moon. He represented light and goodness. According to lore, he once battled Set, the god of darkness and evil. In art he is portrayed as a falcon. In a passage from the Coffin Texts (passage 148) Horus speaks: “I am Horus, the great Falcon upon the ramparts of the house of him of the hidden name. My flight has reached the horizon. I have passed by the gods of Nut. I have gone further than the gods of old. Even the most ancient bird could not equal my very first flight. I have removed my place beyond the powers of Seth, the foe of my father Osiris. No other god could do what I have done. I have brought the ways of eternity to the twilight of the morning. I am unique in my flight.”
Greece
Ancient Greece was known as the “Cradle of Western Civilization.” From this mountainous peninsula with its scattered group of islands came the first democracy, epic stories, and advancements in math, science, medicine, and philosophy. The first evidence of a settlement in Greece comes from around 55,000 BC (57,000 years ago). Grecian history is usually divided into a Stone Age, a Bronze Age, and an Iron Age.
The Greeks were polytheistic in their beliefs, worshipping an entire pantheon of various gods and goddesses. These gods and goddesses were believed to exercise control over the world and the forces of nature. There were the celestial gods who were believed to dwell in Mount Olympus in Thessaly; and there were the earth deities thought to live beneath the earth. They were immortal; and were believed to have had a beginning. The chief deity of the ancient Greeks was Zeus. He was believed to be the most powerful god in the universe, ruling over both gods and men. It was Zeus who poured the rain upon the earth, and when he was angry, he hurled thunderbolts. His sister Hera (goddess and guardian of the sanctity of marriage) became his wife and together they ruled high up in a palace on Mount Olympus. They became the heads of the divine family which was made up of themselves and ten other gods and goddesses. There were their brothers, Poseidon (ruler of the sea) and Hades (ruler of the underworld). There was their sister Hesita (goddess of hearth and home) and their son Ares (the god of war). Zeus had other children other than those by Hera. There were Athena (the virgin goddess of wisdom and war); Apollo (god of the sun, poetry, and music); Artemis (goddess of wildlife and, later, of the moon); Aphrodite (goddess of love); and Hermes (the divine messenger, later, god of science and invention). Finally there was Hera’s son Hephaestus (god of fire). The principal chthonic gods and goddesses were Hades (ruler of the underworld), and his wife, Persephone (daughter of Demeter); Demeter (goddess of the harvest); Dionysus (god of the grape and of wine). Other important deities included Gaea (the earth mother), Asclepius (the god of healing), and Pan (the great Arcadian god of flocks, pastures, and forests).
In addition to the divine gods and goddesses there were the lesser deities. Among them were Helios (the sun); Selene (the moon, antedating Artemis); the Graces (the attendants of the Olympians); the Muses; Iris (goddess of the rainbow); Hebe (goddess of youth and cupbearer of the gods); and Ganymede (the male counterpart of Hebe). There was also the entourage of Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite that included the Nereids, Tritons, and other minor sea deities.
Rome
The Lord of Heaven and Earth and of all the gods in ancient Roman beliefs was named Jupiter. Jupiter ruled under different titles. One of the most prominent was Jupiter Optimus Maximus, which means the all good and all-powerful. Under this name he was the guardian of Rome and was worshiped in a temple on the Capitoline Hill. Under this title he ruled over the universe, functioned as the god of the state, controlled the realm and made his will known through prophecy. As Jupiter Fidius he was known as guardian of law, protector of truth, and defender of justice and virtue. His sanctuary was of vital importance in Rome and the hub of political life. As Jupiter Victor he was commander of the Roman army, leading them to victory. Other titles include: Caelestis (heavenly), Lucetius (of the light), Totans (thunderer), Fulgurator (of the lightning). Jupiter is represented by the lightning bolt and the eagle. The Romans equated Jupiter with Zeus (the supreme god of the Greeks).
Persia
In ancient Persia (now modern day Iran), the oldest religion from that culture was Zoroastrianism in which the supreme god was named, “Ahura Mazda” which means “Wise Lord.” Ahura Mazda was the overseer of Heaven and Earth; the possessor of knowledge and immortal powers; the source of all that is light, joyful, beautiful, and good, and desiring tranquility in all creation. In art he is portrayed with a beard wearing a robe adorned with stars. In Heaven, myriads of angels continually sing praises to him. His adversary is Ahriman, the “spirit of darkness” of whom he is continuously locked in a battle with. It is a struggle between good and evil; one in which Ahura Mazda will win. In the heavens, six angels referred to as the Amesha Spentas assist him. They include: Vohu Manah (wisdom), Asha (truth), Armaiti (devotion), Khshathra Vairya (desirable dominion), Haurvatat (wholeness) and Ameretat (immortality).
A song (Yasna) written by Zoroaster (founder of Zoroastrianism) says, “When I conceived of Thee, O Mazda, as the very First and the Last, as the most Adorable One. As the Father of Good Thought, as the Creator of Truth and Right, as the Lord Judge of our actions in life, then I made a place for Thee in my very eyes.” (Yasna, 31-4).
As Persia grew and changed, many of the people took on a new religion, that of Islam. In Islam God was and still is referred to as Allah which means “The God.” Allah comes from the Arabic words “Al” which means “the” and “Elah” which means “god.” The word Allah was originally created to refer to the true God, separating him from the gods that were worshipped prior to Islam. Allah, the God of Islam is the same God of the Jews and the Christians. Because many Westerners are not familiar with the Arabic language, or Islam, they mistake the word Allah for a name for God, or a different God altogether. Surah 35 of the Koran states “Praise be to Allah, Who created [out of nothing] the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels, messengers with wings. He adds to Creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things.” In the Koran, angels are seated around the great throne of Allah ministering to him and paying homage to him. These angels ask Allah to pardon sinners and act as mediators between He and humankind. Allah is believed to reside in paradise (another word for Heaven). It is the will of Allah that all humankind enjoys eternity with him in paradise. According to the Koran, angels watch over humankind and record their deeds. The records of these deeds are used at the time of judgment in the afterlife. When a person dies, Allah sends an angel to guide the soul to the afterlife. The good go to a beautiful paradise home where there are lavish meadows, streams of honey, and houri (beautiful virgins who dwell in paradise and reward the faithful with sensual pleasures). Those who do not worship Allah, or who cannot past certain tests in Heaven will be cast into Hell.
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince born in Kapilavastu, India, founded Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama grew up living a sheltered life of luxury. It wasn’t until he grew up and went out into the world that he was able to see the world as it was and witness the pain and suffering experienced by others. Desiring to help others, he became a teacher and devoted himself to religion. He later became known as the Buddha, which means “Enlightened One.” Unlike most religions, Buddhists do not believe in God, a Supreme Being or a Divine Entity that created the world or that rules the World. In fact, the emphasis in Buddhism is not on having faith in an unknowable God or afterlife, but lies within the knowledge that focuses on transcending the self. Buddhists don't concern themselves about God or god(s). They concern themselves with the Dharma, which is neither a god nor gods. It is “truth” or “reality.” While Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in a personal God, Buddhists feel that this is an unreligious idea and prefer to speak of an ultimate but indescribable reality. Buddhism is really an attitude of accepting the inevitable changes of life, and of being thankful for every moment we are alive.
Celtics in ancient times relied more on memory than the written word. Therefore, understanding the Celtic view of God is difficult because of the lack of resources. However, scholars have been able to piece together some information through data from the continent as well as from the islands of Britain and Ireland. It appears that Belenus was the most widely worshipped Celtic god. He was the god of light known as “The Shining One.” He was married to Belisama and was believed to have been overseer of sheep and cattle. In some stories he corresponds with the Irish god Bile. Belisama, his wife was the goddess of light and fire, forging and craft. She corresponds to the classical Minerva.
In Irish-Celtic beliefs we also find Dagda, the god of the earth and treaties, and ruler over life and death. Dagda, or “The Dagda” is one of the most prominent gods and the leader of the Tuatha De Danann. He is called the “Good God” (not in the moral sense, but in the sense of being omni competent, skilled in many trades). He was also called Eochaid Ollathair ("Eochaid the All-Father"), or In Ruad Rofhessa ("Mighty One of Great Wisdom"). In Celtic beliefs he was one of the leaders of a mythological Irish people, the Tuatha De Danann. The Dagda is portrayed as possessing both super-human strength and having many powers. He had a great cauldron, which provided an inexhaustible source of food, fruit trees that were always ripe with fruit, and two pigs--one live and the other continually roasting. He owned an enormous club, which could both, kill and restore men to life. A third possession was a magic harp that played by itself, with which he was said to summon the seasons of the year. His mate was the war goddess Morrigan.
Mayans
American Indian people. The sun god, the maize god, the planet Venus and numerous death gods were among the deities that watched over the Mayan world. The Mayan religion also centered on the worship of a large number of nature gods. Among the supreme deities were Kukulcan, a creator god closely related to the Toltec and Aztec Quetzalcoatl, and Itzamna, a sky god. Chaac, a god of rain, was especially important in popular ritual.
Native Americans
Ancient Native Americans worshiped an all-powerful, all-knowing Creator or “Master Spirit” generally referred to as the “Great Spirit.” They also recognized a host of lesser entities. Even though the Great Spirit was prominent among their beliefs, they also perceived themselves as living in a universe permeated with powerful, mysterious spiritual beings. They believed that in order to continue to exist, it was essential that they recognize these beings in all areas of life. They did so by addressing them in music, prayer, gifts, ceremonies, and by handing down information about them to succeeding generations. These beliefs continued to be an essential part of the native North American civilization from the Stone Age (30,000 B.C.-2500 B.C.) until the end of the 19th century, when the European settlement of North America was established. Native Americans also believed in spirit helpers they called “guides” and “familiars.” These spirits helped with problems and chores. When in need of help or guidance, Native Americans communed with these spirits privately. In addition, each tribe is said to have been protected by a guardian spirit. Individual members of a tribe sought after personal guardian spirits. Through vision questing they were able to learn their power animal, and the names of their spirit helpers and guardians. Many of these beliefs are still practiced by Native Americans today.
Norse
The chief divinity and creator god in Norse Mythology was Odin. Legend has it that Odin existed before time. He is said to have created the heavens and the earth and all the creatures to mirror his glory. The creation of the earth and humans were his definitive work. He created humans with an eternal soul that could reside with him forever. As a result, at death the good go to reside forever with Odin in his glorious paradise called Gimli. There they find lush meadows, and banquet and ballrooms where great celebrations are held. The bad however, are destined to spend eternity being tormented in the palace of Hel. Odin's wife was the Mother of all and protector of children.