Teismis

Teismis is the belief in the existence of a god or gods and the related religious claims that follow from that belief. In English, this is known as theism. Theism spans a broad spectrum, from belief in a personal, interventionist God to more abstract views in which God is a necessary or ultimate principle of reality. It is contrasted with atheism, which denies God’s existence, and with agnosticism, which questions or suspends belief about God.

Historically, theism has been central to many religions and philosophical traditions. Monotheistic systems such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are prominent examples, but theists have also formulated varied positions within polytheistic and other religious frameworks. Philosophers have debated theism for centuries, offering arguments for and against it. Proponents have advanced cosmological arguments for a first cause, teleological arguments for design, and moral arguments for a grounding source of value. Critics have raised challenges such as the problem of evil, questions about divine attributes, and the sufficiency of naturalistic explanations.

Variants and related concepts include classical theism, which describes God as a personal being with attributes like omniscience, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence; deism, which posits a creator who does not intervene in the world; and process theology or open theism, which propose revisions to traditional views of divine knowledge or power. Some discussions distinguish pantheism or panentheism as separate positions, though they are frequently addressed within debates about theism.

In contemporary discourse, theism continues to influence theology, ethics, and culture, even as secular and atheistic perspectives remain influential in many societies. Debates about theism persist in philosophy of religion, theology, and public life.