Main Difference – Deism vs Theism
Deism and theism are two religious beliefs about the existence of god and his intervention in the universe. While both deism and theism hold the belief that God is the creator of the universe and gave human beings the ability to think, they have different beliefs about God’s intervention in the universe. Deism holds the belief that God does not intervene in human affairs whereas theism holds the belief that God intervenes in human affairs through miracles or supernatural revelation. This is the main difference between deism and theism.
What is Deism
Deism is a religious belief holding that God created the universe and established rationally comprehensible moral and natural laws but does not intervene in human affairs through miracles or supernatural revelation. In other words, deists believe in the existence of a supreme god, or a creator of the universe, but they reject religious dogma and demagogy, religious books claiming to contain the revealed word of God, skepticism of miracles, prophecies, and religious mysteries. In deism, humans’ relationship between god is rather impersonal. Since deism believes the existence of God without accepting claims of divine revelation, it appeals to people from both ends of the religious spectrum.
Deism became a popular religious movement among intellectuals during the Age of Enlightenment, especially in England, France, Germany and the United States. The modern definition of deism, provided by the World Union of Deists is given below:
“Deism is the recognition of a universal creative force greater than that demonstrated by mankind, supported by personal observation of laws and designs in nature and the universe, perpetuated and validated by the innate ability of human reason coupled with the rejection of claims made by individuals and organized religions of having received special divine revelation.”
What is Theism
Theism is the belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe. Unlike deists, theists believe that god intervenes in human affairs through miracles or supernatural revelations.
Theism can be categorized into different types; polytheism and monotheism are these two main categories. Monotheism is the belief of only of deity. Christianity, Judaism, Islam are examples of monotheism. Polytheism is the belief in the existence of more than one god. Hinduism is an example of polytheism.
Difference Between Deism and Theism
Definition
Deism is the belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe.
Theism is the belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe
Gods’ intervention
Deism believes that that god does not intervene in human affairs.
Theism believes that that god intervenes in human affairs.
Miracles
Deism does not accept miracles or supernatural revelations.
Theism accepts miracles or supernatural revelations.
Followers
Deism is often practiced by religious people.
Theism appeals to people from both ends of the religious spectrum.
Image Courtesy:
“Shintō prayer” By Kalandrakas (カランドラカス) from Kanagawa, Japan – Cropped from “how to pray the Japanese way” (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Cima da Conegliano, God the Father” – Attributed to Cima da Conegliano – The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN, UK (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
