according to the dictionary definition of "Deist"?

Question

"a person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it"

Where, in your opinion, has God gone? and what is He doing?

This is a serious question.

thank you

Answer 1

OK this is the major thing. Deists views vary, big time.

Deist views are unique, I some believe the main thing is there are no revelations. no doctrine its a belief that if there is a "God" as such, it isn't anything to do with the Prophecy's of mankind.

Many people put there own theory in when explaining Deism here is the Readers Digest Great illustrated Dictionary's definition:

"Deism: The belief that the truth of the existence of God can be discovered only by the individual through the evidence of reason and nature without resort to any particular church or to revelation"

Our definitions don't correlate. Saying "God" has abandoned us other possibility is claiming to know too much about "God".

Some believe "God" created the universe (we are just part of it not the focus) and is letting it run its course, others believe it created us then left. Some believe it is dead or wounded. Each one trys to make their own ascertion on their own study and feelings. And may have a completely different view to any I described.

Answer 2

*** w70 12/1 p. 713 The Desolator of Christendom Historically Prefigured *** What, though, do we mean by the term Christendom? Among the definitions given in Webster’s Third New International Dictionary is this one: “The portion of the world in which Christianity prevails or which is governed principally under Christian institutions.” But the religion that Christendom practices in her hundreds of religious sects is far from the Christianity of the Bible. Therefore her religion is a professed Christianity; and so Christendom must be the portion of the world of mankind which is governed under professed Christian institutions. Hence Christendom misrepresents true Christianity. That is why she will duly be desolated and disappear forever. Such a statement may be shocking to many persons in the religious realm, but the coming true of this statement will be even more shocking. But what about the genuine Christianity? Despite any attempts to destroy it along with the sham Christianity, the true Christianity will never disappear. It will thrive and prosper on a transformed peaceful earth and will be a glorious credit to its Founder, Jesus Christ. It is true that the name Christendom is not to be found in the Sacred Scriptures, the Holy Bible. Also, in the days when the Bible was written there was no such thing as Christendom, for it came into existence first in the fourth century of our Common Era, in the days of Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire and as a result of his religious action.

Answer 3

The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.
Deism is a belief in a divine power and a form of unorganized religion. The first deist in England is often thought to be Lord Herbert of Cherbury, who in the 17th century, formulated that a supreme power, existed, should be worshipped, receive offerings of penance, and that a lasting kingdom existed after death. Lord Herbert however eschewed more organized forms of religion and instead relied on reason The early deist looked at foundational science and believed the miracles of this world could not have been created without a divine presence. Further deists had no difficulties believing the concept of evolution, since they did not rely on creation stories from major religions.

Answer 4

I am not sure most Deists would say God abandoned the universe, but is more sitting back saying "Wow! I wonder what they are going to do now?", sort of like we are a big ant farm. I could be wrong, as I am not a Deist.

Answer 5

I fully believe in God, I am also convinced that the "bible," written by men, has been misinterpreted many times over and therefore, written to one's personal opinion, in which I do not trust or believe. Religion is corrupt, misguided, misused, abused, and used to manipulate society into limiting beliefs of God. I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience and that we should all live by the "Golden Rule!" "Do on to other's as you would have done on to you."

Answer 6

I'm not a deist, but...

I think the idea is that God is watching, and cares about right and wrong, but does not interfere in events of the world. I think it's meant to be an explanation for why there is evil and suffering in the world (but not for why God allows it).

Answer 7

Before I elaborate on MY Answer you need to know this. Not ALL Wiccans hold the same beliefs and, many beliefs will be VERY different from this completely. That being said, there ARE many who DO share THIS particular belief. It has no Tradition name of anythng like that but, it is a concept that is shared by a lot of Witches.

The Creator, some cal it the ALL, others simply call it the Creator Force or Energy, is ONLY interested in just that, CREATING. Creating anything and everything. "IT" doesn't hear our prayers, doesn't listen to them and is not even interested in being worshiped. ALL it's interested in is CREATING. It's FIRST act of CREATION was to create God and Goddess, whose role is to take care of everything else. THEY are the ones who listen to our prayers. THEY are the ones who love our worship, they are the ones who do the everyday, love and maintenance of the Universe. The Creator doesn't listen to THEM either, ALL the Creator is interested in is CREATING and nothing else. Therefore, God and Goddess are answerable to no one at all except themselves. All else that exists is answerable ONLY to God and Goddess, for THAT is their role in the Universe. They began their role the instant the Creator began to Create, as soon a Creator creates something they immediately begin to love, care for and nurture that creation. In return, creation loves them back (or is supposed to). They do NOT do any creating or destroying of their own. When they grant a request (boon) they are using the energy and matter that ALREADY exists in Creation to manifest that. That is WY Most Witches do NOT do spells at the drop of a hat. They KNOW that in order for their request to be grantede, that they energy or matter must come from SOMEWHERE in the universe. Most Witches build UP their OWN energys and tend to use THOSE energies to manifest their spells and they realize that their OWN energies are VERY limited so, they don't like to use them up on frivilous "wishes" and tend to ONLY use their energies in times of absolutely LAST resort.

As to WHERE the CREATOR has gone, it's still CREATING. Somewhere beyond the horizon of time, FAR beyond where we may EVER find it again. Either in the FAR distant and eternal PAST or in the far distant eternal FUTURE, we have NO way of knowing where. We may NEVER know unless it tires of CREATING and gets curious enough to come back and SEE how things are going with the things that were created.

Now, as I mentioned before, this is NOT the concept that is shared by ALL Witches, only by a fraction of Witches. So PLEASE don't be bothering Wiccans to find out ALL your answers on this. Ask what they believe before you persue this with them. If they DO subscribe to this idea then they MIGHT be willing to expand on it.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 8

This theory is used to try to explain why god never appears to answer any prayers or interfere in any way. The truth is, its just another theory and i dont buy any of them without proof.

Answer 9

He is the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity. He has His eye on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me or He wouldn't have done what He did! He is casting His eyes to and fro, and His Son is ever making intersession for us.

Answer 10

One who admits the possibility of the existence of a God or gods, but claims to know nothing of either, and denies revelation. An agnostic of olden times.