What is theism and how is it different from deism? (Creator, Deists)

[Hacker]

Hi, I'm in the learning process here, about other subdivisions of beliefs or whatever you want to call it, but I was wondering what theism is and how it differs from diesm, thanks.

[Green Gaia]

Theism simply means a belief in a personal deity or deities. Theists believe that the deity interacts with nature or humans on some level. (Mainly monotheists and polytheists)

Deism holds that a deity created the universe but does not interact with it or humans.

[Sunstone]

My understanding, which might be partly wrong, is that theism refers to any believe in deity, while deism refers to a specific theist belief that deity created nature but has nothing to do with it nowadays.

The metaphor I've heard deists use to describe their beliefs is that deity is like a watchmaker who creates the watch, winds it up so that it runs, but who no longer messes with the working of the watch once it has been created and wound up.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

My understanding, which might be partly wrong, is that theism refers to any believe in deity, while deism refers to a specific theist belief that deity created nature but has nothing to do with it nowadays.

The metaphor I've heard deists use to describe their beliefs is that deity is like a watchmaker who creates the watch, winds it up so that it runs, but who no longer messes with the working of the watch once it has been created and wound up.

That is similar to how I have understood it as well Phil. Although I will add that some deist do attach certain cosmological signs to God. But they do not expect anyone else to attach meaning as they have.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

My understanding, which might be partly wrong, is that theism refers to any believe in deity, while deism refers to a specific theist belief that deity created nature but has nothing to do with it nowadays.

I've come across 2 definitions for theism. One is as you described, "any belief in deity (or deities)" and would include deism. Another that theism in its various forms specifically implys a personal connection with a deity or deities. The latter definition would not include deism, of course.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Maize

I've come across 2 definitions for theism. One is as you described, "any belief in deity (or deities)" and would include deism. Another that theism in its various forms specifically implys a personal connection with a deity or deities. The latter definition would not include deism, of course.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever talked to a polytheistic deist. Have you?

Usually they like sticking to the idea that God is a sole energy of some sort.

[Green Gaia]

No, I think deists are almost always (if not always) monotheistic in that they only believe in one creator or divine being.

[Hacker]

Thanks, now I get it!

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

Hi, I'm in the learning process here, about other subdivisions of beliefs or whatever you want to call it, but I was wondering what theism is and how it differs from diesm, thanks.

Great question. I was seriously thinking about asking this same question the day before you actually did.