BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan What is Deity for you?

I'm currently doing some reading, and they have questions for discussion. Since I am the only Pagan I actually know, I thought maybe opening the discussion here could help me see how other Pagans view Deity. I'm at the beginning of my journey in Paganism, and would value any input on this.
Thank you.

For me, I guess it is the goodness and strength that resides in me and everyone. Trying to realize the deity within by being a better person and not getting trapped in negative vicious circles within my life is basically my overall idea of deity.

I like that this fits, in theory, with other religions as well. After all, aren't most Christians really out the better themselves through their god. Just an example, but you get the idea.

I relate to the energy of the universe I feel around me and within me. It's "Deity" in a way, but I prefer not to think of it that way. I just like to try to be in tune with it.

so you don't really relate to it as a being, so much as feeling? I think I'm feeling most comfortable with that aspect myself. Thanks for your input!

The strength inside me; the same strength that is inside the universe and every being collectively

I was at a workshop this weekend and the leader referred to it (the Universe, Creation Force, God, or whatever people call it) as The Limitless.

I loved this idea because to me it illustrates the expansiveness and unlimited possibility that the other words don't.

However, I believe that this "Limitless", or Deity manifests itself to us in whatever way we can best comprehend. So for some it's God, for some it's Goddess and for others its a pantheon of Gods.

I also believe that while Deity is vastly larger than we can even begin to understand, it is also inherant within us and that not enough people recognize that.

Thou art Goddess/Thou art God

I feel that Deity/Spirit is both within us and outside of us. I definitely don't feel that it controls us or imposes a will upon us. Because I see Spirit in all people and life, I don't take a position of worshipping it, putting myself below or separate from it. I work to honor Spirit and to learn from the knowledge it offers, I try to use it for further and deeper connection.

Fiona, I like to meditate on the ever expanding universe - it gives me a sense of peace to consider that there is more and more (space for everyone, food, life, money, jobs, careers, whatever - especially when it doesn't feel like that).

Rae, I'm also very uncomfortable with the idea of "worshipping" anybody or anything, it doesn't make sense to me. It simply "is", to me. Besides, someone who requires me to worship them is not worth worshipping <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Coffeeaddict, it's sort of a case that I consider it as "all that is" - so to call it "a being" is limiting what "it" is. It's too vast to comprehend really so I don't want to label it or box it into a category - just let gentle experiences of the all wash over me from time to time.

I've had some issues growing up with worshipping something and it just didn't feel comfortable to me. I'm glad to hear other's viewpoints. I wasn't really sure how other Pagans viewed the issue. thank you all again for your insights.

I agree that I don't like the idea of "worshiping" I tend to prefer the idea of honoring or working with Deity.

I, like Rae, work with Spirit/Deity/The Limitless to foster deeper connection.