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Is God a What Or a Who?

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
This question is directed at those who recognize divinity in their worldview, so the usual suspects can kindly refrain from the "a figment of one's imagination" type answers (you know who you are).

In your religion, spiritual practice, or philosophy, is God (the highest principle if you're a polytheist or transtheist) a who or a what?
 

MatthewA

Active Member
SalixIncendium,
What are do you think or believe?
Is God a What Or a Who?
 
Last edited:

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Going by your context of the OP, I'd say a "what." Not a deity at all in its own right, but an experience of healing, clarity, and energy: internal and external vitality. I realized from a profound experience, among others recollecting my past, I'm an animist so in context, I'd be a polytheist no a theist (just using the words to give an idea not for their actual definitions).

Divinity? Closest I can make of this in my personal view (compared to others definitions) is maybe spiritual or having a vital importance in play in my life, experiences, and worldview. I did an analogy of the water couple of days ago where the waves are our actions, the water is everything-the physical universe and all living, and we die we are still the waters but no longer the waves (the I is gone). So, god or energy would be the momentum but I haven't figured how the wind plays into this analogy as it could be translated as a Source or a Creator in some respect but that's not my worldview.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
What are do you think or believe?
Is God a What Or a Who?

I kinda gave a hint in post #5. For me, God is Nirguna Brahman. Existence/consciousness/bliss. I suppose that would make God a what.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
We're all a what and a who to a degree... I see no reason why the divine would be any different.

I'm curious. How can god be a what and a who?

What does "who" mean if it is not a person/being?

Unless a person or being is also an object not just a person?

Kinda going by English grammar. Unless there is another context involved in the two words?
 

Colt

Well-Known Member
This question is directed at those who recognize divinity in their worldview, so the usual suspects can kindly refrain from the "a figment of one's imagination" type answers (you know who you are).

In your religion, spiritual practice, or philosophy, is God (the highest principle if you're a polytheist or transtheist) a who or a what?
The best descriptor would be, God is a Father.
 
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