god

The concept of a supreme being, a unique creative entity, basic to several monotheistic religions (for example Judaism, Christianity, Islam); in many polytheistic cultures (for example Norse, Roman, Greek), the term refers to a supernatural being who personifies the force behind an aspect of life (for example Neptune, Roman god of the sea).

Since the 17th century, advances in science and the belief that the only valid statements were those verifiable by the senses have had a complex influence on the belief in a god. (See also monotheism, polytheism, deism, theism, pantheism, and God.)