The supernatural (Medieval Latin:supernātūrālis: supra "above" + naturalis"natural", first used: 1520–1530 AD)[1][2] is that which exists (or is claimed to exist), yet cannot be explained by laws of nature. Examples often include characteristics of or relating to ghosts, angels, gods, souls andspirits, non-material beings, or anything else considered beyond nature like magic,miracles, or etc..[3]
Over time, things once thought to be supernatural such as lightning, seasons, andhuman senses have been shown to have entirely naturalistic explanations and origins. Some believe that which is considered supernatural will someday be discovered to be completely physical and natural. Those who believe only the physical world exists are called naturalists. Those who believe similarly often maintain skeptical attitudes and beliefs concerning supernatural concepts.
SupernaturalismEdit
See also: Naturalism (philosophy)
Supernaturalism, as opposed to naturalism, is a belief in the supernatural in interpreting the world or attempting to control it. It can vary from those who believe that supernatural powers or entities are constantly or continuously intervening in the natural world to those who, like Deists, believe that only the origins of the natural world and its laws should be sought in the supernatural.
The supernatural is a feature of the philosophical traditions of Neoplatonism[4]and Scholasticism.[5] In contrast, the philosophy of Metaphysical naturalism argues for the conclusion that there are no supernatural entities, objects, or powers.
ReligionEdit
Main articles: Religion and Magic and religion
All religions include elements of belief in the supernatural; from belief in the beyond natural abilities of deities to beliefs in spirits and other miracles such as for examplemiraculous works by recognized Saints, theAssumption of Mary, etc. All, or virtually all religions include prophesies supposedly communicated to prophets.
The supernatural is also often featuring prominently in the study of the paranormaland occultism.
DeityEdit
Main article: Deity
A deity (/ˈdiːəti/ (
listen) or /ˈdeɪ.əti/ ( listen))[6] is a supernatural being considereddivine or sacred.[7] The Oxford Dictionary of English defines deity as "a god or goddess (in a polytheistic religion)", or anything revered as divine.[8] C. Scott Littleton defines a deity as "a being with powers greater than those of ordinary humans, but who interacts with humans, positively or negatively, in ways that carry humans to new levels of consciousness,beyond the grounded preoccupations of ordinary life."[9] A male deity is a god, while a female deity is a goddess.
