Supreme Being
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The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God",[1] and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity,[2] Islam,[3] Hinduism,[4] and Deism.[5] However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the divine. Many fraternal organisations, especially those which admit members of diverse religious backgrounds (such as Freemasonry) use the term as a generic description, allowing the candidate to adhere to whichever deity or concept he holds to be appropriate.[6][7]
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[edit] Use of the term in religious contexts
[edit] Christianity
In Christian Theology, the term Supreme Being can refer to God, the Father.[8] It can also be used to refer to the Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.[9]
[edit] Hinduism
Para Brahman is referred to as the Supreme Being, as the main force, power or energy, and all forms of divinity are considered to be merely His diverse divine descents, expansions, aspects, or manifestations.
[edit] Sikhism
The holy scripture of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, there is only one Supreme Being but different people give it different names. Sikhs personally use Waheguru, other words attributed to Sikhi include Onkar and Satnam.
[edit] Islam
Islamic scholars have used the term Supreme Being to refer to 'Allah', the Islamic name for God.[10]
[edit] Deism
Deists use the term Supreme Being to refer to the Divine (although the Divine is not defined).
[edit] Use in non-religious contexts
[edit] Freemasonry
In Masonic ritual the Supreme Being is referred to as Great Architect of the Universe, which alludes to the use of architectural symbolism within Freemasonry.[11][12]
Candidates for regular freemasonry are required to declare a belief in a Supreme Being.[6] However, the candidate is not asked to expand on, or explain, his or her interpretation of Supreme Being. The discussion of politics and religion is forbidden within a Masonic Lodge, in part so a candidate or Mason will not be placed in the situation of having to justify his personal interpretation.[13] Thus, reference to the Supreme Being will mean the Christian Trinity to a Christian Mason, Allah to a Muslim Mason, Para Brahman to a Hindu Mason, etc. While most Freemasons would take the view that the term Supreme Being equates to God, others may hold a more complex or philosophical interpretation of the term.
[edit] See also
- Absolute (philosophy)
- Demiurge
- God
- Names of God
- Conceptions of God
- Existence of God
- Cult of the Supreme Being
- God the Father
- Great Mother
[edit] References
- ^ definition according to Miriam-Webster on line dictionary.
- ^ http://www.actsweb.org/articles/article.php?i=1431&d=2&c=2 and http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/dogmatics/baroudy_god_supreme_being.htm
- ^ Revelation - Sacred Theology
- ^ The Hindu Online edition of India's National Newspaper, Monday, Sep 22, 2003
- ^ website showing usage by Deists during the French Revolution.
- ^ a b "Is Freemasonry a religion?". United Grand Lodge of England. http://www.ugle.org.uk/masonry/A2L-religion.htm. Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
- ^ MQ MAGAZINE Issue 13 - God and the Craft
- ^ God - the Supreme Being
- ^ The Sense of a Supreme Being
- ^ Allah, al-llah
- ^ William K. Bissey (Spring 1997). "G.A.O.T.U.". The Indiana Freemason. http://srjarchives.tripod.com/1997-08/Bissey.htm.
- ^ S. Brent Morris. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry. Alpha/Penguin Books. pp. 212. ISBN 1-59257-490-4.
- ^ Becoming a Mason - To become one, ask one: What is Freemasonry? accessed 10 June 2007
