Word

theism

noun C1

/ˈθiː.ɪz.əm/

Meanings

noun

belief in the existence of one or more gods, often with the idea that a god can be involved in human affairs

Definition

Theism is the belief that at least one god exists and may be involved in the world.

Theism is the belief in the existence of one or more gods. It often includes the idea that a god is personal, purposeful, and able to act in the world. In everyday use, it is contrasted with atheism (no belief in gods) and sometimes with deism (a god exists but does not intervene).

Examples

I encountered theism in a philosophy course and found the arguments more nuanced than I expected.
You can critique theism without dismissing the cultural traditions that many people value.
He distinguishes theism from deism by focusing on whether a deity intervenes in the world.
She writes about theism as a lived practice, not merely a set of abstract propositions.
They debated theism late into the night, but they still left the room on friendly terms.

Common mistake

Learners often misspell theism as "thiesm" or confuse it with "deism," which usually implies a non-intervening god.