polytheistic theology
So it's a common trope that beliefs give gods power, but I don't actually think that's how it works. In significant part, "power" doesn't seem like a useful way to phrase what gods do in the first place.
What I do think is that belief helps give gods *form*. How a particular god manifests and expresses themself is due in part to what folks expect of them. It's bidirectional, since a god does tell followers some about who they are. The manifestation is negotiated.
polytheistic theology
This is a big part of how gods (hopefully) adapt to changing cultural contexts. As time changes, a god can adapt their nature while still retaining their identity.
Also I *think* structured belief can accrete new gods out of unformed god-stuff but that's something I'm less sure about, and would probably irritate some hard polytheists.
polytheistic theology
@starkatt As someone who's worked with some of those 'new gods', now in a couple different settings, I am a STRONG option-B, though I like to add a bit of elaboration: "pre-existed /in human recorded history/ only quietly." Mindspace is big, and much of it is not written down. :)
polytheistic theology
@starkatt I’d agree. The universe is full of new concepts, concepts going away, and concepts changing. Gods are very much conceptual so I feel gods can arise from gestalt the same way that can change or abandon gods.
polytheistic theology
mumble mumble were new gods formed or did they pre-exist only quietly.