Weighing in on the God Debate: Why We Need Transdisciplinary, Dialectical and Multicultural Perspectives

Among the earliest usage of the word God comes from the sixth century Christian manuscript "Codex Argenteus". The English word itself is thought to have been derived from the Proto-Germanic word "Güan". The English word God along with its counterparts in other languages is used for virtually all conceptions and the term remains an English translation common to all conceptions of religion. This is in spite of the fact that there are many significant differences across religions. It is sometimes used to describe a formless irreligious God associated with nature. This usage is relatively more recent however, and is said to have originated from the ideas of Baruch Spinoza, who was a pantheist. Among the Jews, the word Yahweh was used to mean God, while Muslims and Hindus use the term Allah and Brahman respectively. Other religions use different names; for example, in the Chinese religion, Shangdi is referred to as the creator of the universe, while in Zoroastrianism, the term Ahura Mazda is used. The term Waheguru is used by the Sikhs to refer to a great teacher, while the Baha'i use the term Baha.

Pagina's: 116, Paperback, Eliva Press