Hey there! Hope you are all doing fine. I have a second question regarding god-related terms for you today. For my first question, please visit my previous blog post, which can be found here: https://nonreligiousidentities.com/personal-reactions-to-god-related-terms-1/
My question for you today has to do with the meaning you assign to the expression “Higher Power”.
So, what is the first thing that comes in mind when you think of the expression “Higher Power”? Do you think of it differently than the word “God” and, if yes, where would you locate the difference between the two?
It’s a spin doctor’s take on the concept. Calling something a “Higher Power”, suggests something is beyond human control. Not specifically naming it, is the diplomatic way of appealing to all religious values to get people to accept a fact and not hurt anyone’s feelings while doing so. Notice how earthly injustice is often explained by mysterious “Higher Powers”, but when something turns out for the better, “God” gets the credit.
Higher Power for me means something that I put above anything else, that gives me a motive to do things. Usually it’s a group of people, friends, or a collective.
It’s essentially different than “God”. Gods are suppossed to intervene in your life and they are an entity (for those who believe), that inteferes with your life from the above and you get to have no say.
Higher Power as I see it, is my motive to create both my own and a collective meaning of life.
Higher power and God are two different ideas to me. A higher power is non-specific, not directly religious, and suggests it’s a mystery we don’t have the answer to. It doesn’t want or instruct. I also think of the universe in general. God is a more fleshed out figure. It is generally discussed as a man who interacts with humanity. Punishes, teaches, and rewards people.