Meaning & Definition of word "Deist"
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Deist
/ˈdeɪɪst/
noun:
- 1. A person who believes in the existence of a supreme being, specifically a creator who does not intervene in the universe.
- Example: As a deist, she felt that the universe was created by a higher power but that this power did not interfere with human affairs.
- 2. One who believes in God based on reason and nature rather than revelation or scripture.
- Example: The founding fathers of the United States included several deists who valued reason and scientific inquiry.
- 3. A proponent of deism, often emphasizing the belief that natural laws govern the universe.
- Example: Many deists in the Enlightenment period sought to reconcile faith with the discoveries of modern science.
- 4. A person skeptical of organized religion but still holding a belief in a divine creator.
- Example: He identified as a deist, often critiquing religious dogma while maintaining his belief in a divine origin of the universe.
Etymology
From Latin 'deus' meaning 'god' and the suffix '-ist' denoting a believer.
Common Phrases and Expressions
deist belief:
The belief in a creator who does not intervene in daily life.
deistic philosophy:
A philosophical standpoint that emphasizes reason and the observation of the natural world in understanding existence.
Related Words
theism:
The belief in the existence of a god or gods who intervene in the universe.
agnosticism:
The belief that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable.
Slang Meanings of deist
Meaning: A person who believes in a creator but not traditional religion.
Example Sentence: He calls himself a deist, not wanting to be tied down by specific doctrines.