God: the meaning and the definition of the term

In our vocabulary has enough words, that we use completely mindlessly, out of habit, not too much delving into their meaning. One of those concepts — “God”. The meaning of the word implies both a literal and a figurative interpretation, and this is largely dependent on the degree of faith of the one who speaks. This concept is deeply embedded in almost all spheres of life, so it is almost impossible to get rid of, or at least to ignore. The paradoxical presence of “God” even in a completely materialistic consciousness leads to the logical conclusion: it is necessary to understand the origin of the word, meaning, definition. This will enable you to consciously shape vocabulary and be more flexible to accept a common language.

“God”: meaning and definition according to the dictionary

All dictionaries agree on this: God is a mythical Supreme being, endowed with absolute authority, power and advantages, which controls all things according to his divine plan. This can be one God in Christianity or in Islam, or a kind of divine community, in one way or another bound by ties of kinship, as in the more ancient polytheistic beliefs.

In all religions of the world, one way or another, God is present. The meaning of the word in this case, the same main parameters. Most often it is a Supreme spiritual personality, the demiurge, the Creator. In monotheistic religions God is just happy with the way things are, but in polytheistic each God is personally involved in such routine chores as naselenie rains or droughts, the production of thunder and lightning, as well as the patronage of various Sciences and crafts.

Recommended

"Knowledge is light and ignorance is darkness": the value, meaning and alternatives

There are some sayings that would seem to need no explanation, such as “teaching & ndash; light and ignorance – darkness”. But some still do not understand their meaning. But not only for such people is written by our article. I...

What was invented by Mendeleev for the army. The history and fate of the invention

D. I. Mendeleev was a brilliant Russian scientist-polymath, who made many important discoveries in various fields of science and technology. Many people know that he is the author of “Fundamentals of chemistry" and the periodic law of chem...

The origin of the Slavs. The influence of different cultures

Slavs (under this name), according to some researchers, appeared in the story only in 6 century ad. However, the language of nationality bears the archaic features of the Indo-European community. This, in turn, suggests that the origin of the Slavs h...

Origin and pronunciation of the words in the Russian language

Not all linguists share the belief that the word “God” came in Russian language from Sanskrit or Iranian language. However, it should be noted that the common roots are traced here, therefore, this version has the right to life. If we consider it as a derivative of the word “wealth”, in a material sense, it stands out clearly is part of the root “God” — the meaning of the word in this case is considered as “the giver of wealth”, “welfare”. Logically, the Creator of all needs it all and distribute among the suffering, it turns out that God at his own discretion distributes benefits.

Pronunciation of ‘Boh" with muted last consonant is deprecated, although it is acceptable in common parlance. However, it should be noted that deliberately voiced “g” is clearly audible only in the declension of the noun: “God”, “God”. The deliberate selection of last consonant is typical for the Odessa dialect is practically not found in other regions.

Using the word “God” in different values

That word you hear so often that the listener begins to suspect rare piety is literally all around. What is meant when people say “God”? The meaning of the word in this case depends on the context. For example, when you say "God knows" of the speaker is likely to have in mind that nobody knows.

Whether this wording is evidence of the atheist sentiment? Actually that's an idiom, which is pronounced almost as an afterthought, without religious overtones.

How people came to the concept of “God”?

It is believed that the supernatural person applies only if you can't explain logically what is happening. For example, if you throw someone a stone aptly enough, the victim will fall, and if it is a large stone strong cast, it is possible that dead. Why did this happen? People will be able to answer and explain, because the whole logical chain of thought is quite clear, it is literally before my eyes. And why during a thunderstorm, the sky rascherchivayut lightning — it is impossible to explain obvious facts, as well as to associate this phenomenon with thunder. Not only as someone hurled a powerful lightning as a hunter lets an arrow.

It is Unlikely that in ancient times, people wondered: “What is God?” — the meaning of the word was explained to the children in vague terms. Gods Almighty, they see everything, hear everything, and if you doubt, then punish. This postulate that unbelievers are punished, permeates literally all human beliefs.

The First human gods

Researchers believe that even the beginnings of shamanism and magical practices of all kinds have already been associated with some divine personalities. Perhaps the meaning of the word “gods” among primitive people was closely connected with the natural phenomena, it is possible that the distinction between “spirits” and “gods” has been oiled. A good example is the Slavic bear, which avoided calling him by his real name — ber. He can come and eat all who know his name. Therefore, in Slavic tongues firmly established a euphemism for “bear” — the one who knows honey. However, the name of the home gives the true name of the beast: the den, i.e. the ber den.

Of Course, the bear was not God, but has clearly demonstrated a supernatural talent, at leastthe ability to know who, when, and to what extent irreverent said his real name. The logic of ancient people was simple enough: bear — a mystical creature, but subject to the change of seasons and falling asleep, then someone is manipulating him. Who? Most likely, some kind of God or powerful spirit. Nature was deified not for nothing, it gave people an opportunity not to be tormented by uncertainty, producing the first rules of survival.

Pantheon

In polytheistic beliefs there is a whole community of different divine entities. If as an example, consider the Greek Pantheon, then logically it becomes clear that the division: each of the patron gods of various occupations and lifestyles. For example, Athena was considered a goddess of wisdom she was worshipped all who wished to hone a mind of its own — philosophers, scientists. Hephaestus was the God-Smith, patron of craftsmen. The Aphrodite asked in love, and Poseidon had great respect for sailors as the Lord of the seas.

It is worth noting an interesting point from the Bible, because Christianity is a monotheistic religion. The Creator is credited with the words “I am the Lord thy God is a jealous. Yes, there will be no other gods before me". Many make this simple conclusion: the Christian God is not the only one, he is jealous and will not tolerate the worship of other gods. Theologians deny the existence of other gods and interpret it only as a strong recommendation not to look to the other side of faith.

In another section of the Bible it says some place that has a name — “the Assembly of the gods”, its value in this case does not mean that it is any meeting other divine entities. Exegetes attribute this to the errors of translation. In the original we are talking about a very specific place that had a name, later translated as “the Assembly of the gods”.

Divine nepotism

People always tend to equate themselves with the gods. Perhaps that is why the divine pantheons had clear signs of nepotism. Those gods of Olympus were in one way or another linked by family ties, their relationship was full of passion, betrayal, disputes, murder, forgiveness, and punishment — all on earth. This was a mythological epic. The gods were infinite like a game of chess, pieces were made by the people. To shift responsibility for the events in divine Providence — this technique is found in almost all religions of the world.

In a polytheistic religion meaning of the word “gods” more often it is boiled down to the phrase “the divine family”. This is typical of the most well-known cults of the past: Egyptian mythology, Greek and later Roman. Clear signs of nepotism are also observed in Hindu religion.

Most popular pantheons of gods in modern culture

Ancient mythology re now experiencing the peak of popularity, especially noticeable in the film. When the writers got tired of the small, supernatural creatures, and the art was saturated with vampires and elves, they are safely moved to a higher category. Because of this there were a lot of very interesting interpretations.

For Example, the film “Stargate” and the show that followed the full-length film introduced the Pantheon of Egyptian gods as an alien race guardof powerful, highly developed civilization, which once visited our planet. The external environment highlighted the Egyptian, the names of the rulers correspond to the names of gods: Osiris, Seth, Anubis and others.

Interestingly, even with this approach, almost completely preserved, and the meaning of the word “gods” — powerful beings with strength beyond human reason.

Monotheism as opposed to ancient beliefs

Of Course, it would be wrong to assume monotheism is a relatively new category of religion. On the contrary, the first monotheistic religion is considered to be one of the oldest — Zoroastrianism belongs to the typical representatives of monotheism and even considered the ancestor of all the Abrahamic faiths.

The youngest of the world monotheistic religions is Islam. Allah, is God (the meaning of the word and the concept are little different from Christian) — the Creator and ruler of all things.

Can we consider atheism a faith?

In common parlance, atheism is considered to be a lack of faith, although this is not quite correct definition. If we consider the belief in a broader sense, that are atheists — it supports faith in the absence of divine Providence. If you ask an atheist: “Explain the meaning of the gods”, the reply will appear such concepts as prejudice, folklore, misconceptions.

At the same time militant atheists remember God more often almost, than "churched" people who remember the Creator's wish not to remember his name in vain. If we consider the main sign of faith the desire by all means to turn it all around, carry them to the light of truth and, sadly, aggressively suppress the manifestation of any other faith, militant atheists fit perfectly into this category. Much easier to live agnostics, whichadmit that there are some power again, but don't get hung up on dogma, and any one direction of faith.

Using the word “God” in isolation from religion

In the Russian language traditionally, the notion of God to a place and out of place. This is unlikely to seriously aggravates the situation of the believer, if we remember that “God” — is not a name, and... position. The phrase “luck” literally calls on the help of supernatural forces, but in practice is rather commonplace meaning wishes for success in the labour process.

If we consider the meaning of the word “gods” in short, it is a powerful invisible force, omnipresent and omniscient. Perhaps that is why expressive exclamation "Oh, gods!” or “Oh God!” has nothing to do with prayer. This is probably the shortest expression of emotional intensity transmitted in the best possible form.

Casual and slang usage

Thousands of years mankind relied on the gods, it is not surprising consistent use of this concept even in areas of life where nothing divine can not be by definition. However, it should be noted that the use of this concept in everyday speech makes it possible to more succinctly Express emotion, to emphasize their tones.

In the philological writings often attempt to explain the meaning of “God the son gave century” — this is a quote from a poem by Marshak “Dictionary”. This is a Prime example of the use of the word “God” in art. And although the poem and the stanza was dedicated to is not religion, but “lifetime” in terms of time, this idiom is often used as a sad illustration of the transience of human life.

It is Worth noting that slang expressions, the word “God” is not as common, but this is typical of the Russian language. If we consider American English, that's where the slang is rich in references to divinity in conjunction with a completely unexpected word combinations, emphasizing the ultimate expression of the expression.