Theism is a philosophical current that is based on the belief in a God or gods. This worldview is widely spread and influences various religions and systems of thought around the world. In this glossary, we will explore the concept of theism in detail, addressing its main characteristics, arguments for and against, and its relationship with other philosophical currents.

What is theism?

Theism is the belief in the existence of a God or gods. This belief is based on the idea that there is a superior, transcendental and conscious entity, responsible for the creation and maintenance of the universe. Theism can be found in several religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and many others.

Characteristics of theism

Theism has some fundamental characteristics. Firstly, it is believed that God is a personal entity, that is, he has consciousness, will and ability to relate to human beings. Furthermore, God is considered omniscient, that is, he knows all things, past, present and future. Omnipotence, that is, absolute and unlimited power, is also attributed to God. Finally, theism argues that God is omnipresent, that is, he is present everywhere at the same time.

Arguments in favor of theism

Theism has several arguments in favor of its existence. One of the best known is the cosmological argument, which starts from the idea that everything that exists has a cause. According to this argument, the universe had a beginning, therefore, it must have a cause that created it. This cause is attributed to God. Another argument is teleological, which is based on the complexity and order of the universe to argue that it was designed by a superior intelligence. Furthermore, theism also relies on personal religious experiences and the existence of absolute moral values.

Arguments against theism

Despite the arguments in favor, theism also faces criticism and arguments against it. One of the main ones is the problem of evil, which questions how a good and omnipotent God can allow the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Furthermore, theism is also criticized for its lack of empirical evidence, as the existence of God cannot be scientifically proven. Another argument against theism is the problem of religious diversity, which questions how different religions can assert the existence of a different God or gods.

Relationship with other philosophical currents

Theism relates to other philosophical currents in different ways. In contrast to theism, we have atheism, which denies the existence of God or gods. Agnosticism, in turn, states that it is not possible to know the existence or non-existence of God. Furthermore, theism is also related to philosophical currents such as deism, which believes in the existence of a creator God, but not in his intervention in the world, and pantheism, which identifies God with the universe itself.

Conclusion

In short, theism is a philosophical current that is based on the belief in a God or gods. This worldview presents characteristics such as the belief in a personal, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God. Theism has arguments in favor of its existence, such as cosmological and teleological, but it also faces criticism, such as the problem of evil and the lack of empirical evidence. Furthermore, theism is related to other philosophical currents, such as atheism, agnosticism, deism and pantheism.