what is a deity

A deity is a spiritual or supernatural being that is considered divine or sacred. Deities are often worshipped and held as more important and worthy of reverence than mundane reality. The exact qualities of a deity can vary from one belief system to another, but they generally have powers and knowledge far beyond those of humanity, often including omnipotence and omniscience. Some cultures recognize both masculine and feminine deities, while others may have a single deity that encompasses all of existence. Deities can be immortal and eternal in some religions, while in others they are merely long-lived and changeable. In some religions, deities are fundamentally good, while in others they have all the moral failings of humans or the opposite. The term "deity" has a bewildering range of meanings and significance, and there is no universally accepted consensus on what a deity is.