Theism

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈθiɪzÉ™m/

Origin

Back-formation from {{3}}, originally from Ancient Greek θεός (Theós, "god"); see theo-.

Attested in English from 1678, theist being slightly earlier, 16 years earlier in 1662.

Full definition of theism

Noun

1. (religion) Belief in the existence of at least one deity.
2. (religion) Belief in the existence of a personal creator god, goddess, gods and/or goddesses present and active in the governance and organization of the world and the universe. The God may be known by or through revelation.
• 1999, Jeaneane D. Fowler, Humanism: Beliefs & Practices, page 66The term stands in contradistinction to theism which, in its widest sense, means belief in a personal god, goddess, gods and/or goddesses.

Derived terms

Related terms

Anagrams

• Themis