Closer To Truth Global Philosophy: Is God Ultimate?
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Nov 12, 2025 In this engaging discussion, philosopher Oludamini Ogunnaike explores Yoruba beliefs about the supreme deity Olodumare and Orishas. Hindu monk Swami Medhananda shares insights on personal and impersonal aspects of the divine, while Buddhist nun Venerable Dr. Yifa outlines the lack of a creator God in Buddhism, discussing various realms of deities. Yujin Nagasawa provides a comparative overview of monotheism, polytheism, and non-theism, revealing diverse understandings of the ultimate across cultures.
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Radical Oneness In Islam
- Islam centers radical monotheism: God is uniquely one, infinite, and unlike anything we imagine.
- The Qur'an frames God's oneness as both transcendent and knowable through attributes like mercy and compassion.
Personal But Not A Person
- Mohammed Saleh Zarepour distinguishes personal attributes from human personhood to describe God as personal but not a person.
- He argues God's infinitude doesn't preclude being a personal or personal-like being with will and speech.
Olodumare And The Orishas
- Oludamini Ogunnaike describes Yoruba religion where Olodumare is supreme but mediated by Orishas, like saints or prophets.
- He recounts how Islamic and Christian saints syncretized with Orishas in diaspora contexts like Cuba.