Re: USAGE: 2nd pers. pron. for God

--- BP Jonsson <bpj@...> wrote:
> At 14:43 2002-09-12 -0700, Padraic Brown wrote:
>
> >In general, I'd agree (mostly cos I'm not aware of
> >a better alternative); but "theism" is fairly
> >specific. It's fine, so long as your mythic beings
> >are Gods. Shift over into angels or jinns or any
> >other sort of nondeific power, and all of a sudden
> >you're not really "theistic" any more.
>
> Point taken!  What about "numinism" -- check out
> _numen_ in a Latin
> dictionary.
A divine power, as near as I can figure. I doubt you
mean a nod of the head! Though the connection is an
interesting one. Perhaps there's a myth out there
somewhere where the God nods his head and various
mirabilia occur. "I Dream of Genie" comes to mind,
somewhat, though it would be a much diluted memory
of an old nodding god myth.

I think I can get along with "numinism". If I
understand what numen is, it seems to fit the
notion we need a word for. It encompasses all
great and small gods; as well as more etherial
powers and lesser spirit beings of all sorts; i.e.,
everything short of no gods at all.

> There ought to be a Greek equivalent (other than
> _theos_)...  Where is Ray, I wonder?
Ray seems to be on extended holiday. He wrote a while
back that he'd return here sometime soon.

Padraic.


=====
Aci ce Kernow le ouygaint mil; et savuriont y pherque!

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