Please help settle a score – my husband and I were having a debate over dinner at Denny’s.
Is there a difference between a deity and a higher power? My husband says no. I say yes.
When I Googled “meaning of higher power” there were some conflicting definitions. The first definition was pretty straightforward – “a god or divine being”. One point for my husband.
Then there was this definition:
At its core, a higher power is something that you believe is controlling the universe. It could be nature, the sun or moon, or you can even say the universe, itself. The key is that whatever you choose should be special and mean something personal to you. In the simplest terms, it’s a power greater than yourself.
Is that a point for me?
If there’s a difference between a deity and a higher power, does that mean an atheist can believe in a higher power?
I’m really curious – do any of you believe in a higher power?
My husband doesn’t believe in god but he doesn’t call himself an atheist either. He believes in energy and that all living things are connected. I’m skeptical but in a way it makes sense.
I’m not sure how this deity vs. higher power debate is going to turn out, but it does prove one thing – spirituality can be really messy and confusing. (Probably because most of it is bullshit.)
So tell me what you think – is there a difference between a deity and a higher power, and if there is, can an atheist believe in a higher power?