god

God is a term used in many religious and philosophical traditions to denote a supreme being, creator, or ultimate reality. In most monotheistic faiths, God is a unique, personal sovereign who created the universe and governs it. Traditional attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence are common references, but different traditions interpret these qualities in varying ways. Some describe God as a personal agent with will and purpose, while others conceive of God as an impersonal principle or ultimate reality.

Across traditions, God is conceived in diverse ways. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, God is typically a single, personal creator. Hinduism includes many gods as well as the idea of a single ultimate reality (Brahman). Some traditions describe the divine as impersonal or immanent in the cosmos. In Buddhism, a creator deity is not central, while Sikhism presents a formless, eternal God present everywhere. Indigenous and folk beliefs may frame the divine through spirits, ancestors, or elemental powers.

Philosophical questions about God's existence and nature have generated extensive debate. Arguments for God include cosmological, teleological, and moral grounds; critics point to the problem of evil, scientific explanations, and alternative worldviews. Positions range from theism and deism to atheism and agnosticism, with many theologians offering theistic and non-theistic responses. Scholarly study treats God as a central topic in theology, philosophy of religion, and comparative religion.

In contemporary discourse, "God" may symbolize ultimate meaning, moral order, or sacred value rather than a specific entity. The concept has profoundly shaped ethics, law, art, and politics across cultures, while ongoing dialogue seeks common ground among believers and nonbelievers alike.