The Over-Anthropomorphism of God

The idea that humans were created in the image of God is foundational in many spiritual traditions. However, in our attempt to understand the divine, we have returned the favor—we have crafted God in our own image. This process, known as anthropomorphism, has profoundly shaped our spiritual, ethical, and environmental outlook.

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, and intentions to non-human entities, including animals, nature, and, most notably, God. While this can be a helpful tool for understanding the divine in relatable ways, it has also led to a narrowing of the divine mystery. By confining God within human-like characteristics—such as being a male ruler, judge, or warrior—we have separated God from the vastness of creation. This separation has had profound consequences, including the diminishing of our sense of wonder and a disconnection from the sacredness of the natural world.

The Anthropomorphism of God: A Limiting View

Throughout history, different cultures have personified the divine in ways that reflect their own societal structures. In Western religious traditions, God is often depicted as a powerful male figure—one who commands, rewards, and punishes. This is understandable, as humans naturally conceptualize the unknown using familiar frameworks. However, when taken too far, this anthropomorphism has boxed God into an image that mirrors human limitations rather than divine transcendence.

In the Abrahamic traditions, Genesis 1:27 states,

 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

This passage has often been interpreted as affirming a personal, human-like deity. However, many mystical traditions suggest a different perspective: that being made in the image of God is less about a physical resemblance and more about embodying divine qualities such as love, creativity, and consciousness.

Hinduism offers a counterbalance to rigid anthropomorphism through its concept of Brahman, the ultimate reality that transcends all forms and definitions. The Upanishads describe Brahman as “neti, neti”—not this, not that—implying that God is beyond all human concepts. Similarly, in the Taoist tradition, the Tao Te Ching states, “The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.” These insights remind us that the divine is vast, formless, and beyond human constraints.

The Consequence: Separation from Creation

One of the unintended consequences of over-anthropomorphizing God is the division between Creator and creation. Many religious traditions that have emphasized God as a separate being—a cosmic ruler watching from above—have inadvertently distanced the sacred from the natural world. This dualistic thinking has led to a diminished reverence for the environment.

For example, some interpretations of Christian theology have emphasized dominion over the Earth rather than stewardship. Genesis 1:28 states, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” When read through an anthropocentric lens, this passage has been used to justify exploitation rather than care for the environment.

Contrast this with Indigenous spiritual traditions, which often emphasize the interconnectedness of all life. The Lakota phrase Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ, meaning “all my relations,” reflects the understanding that humanity is deeply connected to the Earth, animals, and the cosmos. Similarly, in Hinduism, the Earth is regarded as Bhūmi Devi, a goddess deserving of reverence and care.

These perspectives challenge the notion of a separate, human-like God and instead present the divine as an omnipresent force flowing through all of creation.

Restoring Mystery and Wonder

When we reduce God to a mere reflection of ourselves, we lose the sense of mystery and awe that makes spirituality transformative. The divine, in its truest form, is not confined to human characteristics but is an infinite, creative force present in everything.

Reclaiming a more expansive view of God allows us to rekindle our reverence for nature. When we see the divine in the rivers, trees, and stars, our relationship with the Earth shifts from one of control to one of sacred responsibility. This perspective aligns with what many mystics have long understood—that God is not separate from creation but within it.



In the words of the 13th-century Sufi poet Rumi, “Don’t look for God in mosques and temples. He is everywhere, within your heart and in the natural world.” Similarly, the Psalms declare, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). These insights remind us that divinity is not confined to human-like form but radiates through the entire cosmos.

Expanding Our Vision of the Divine

The over-anthropomorphism of God has shaped how we relate to the divine, often leading to a view that is too small, too human, and too disconnected from the natural world. By expanding our understanding of God beyond human characteristics, we can rediscover the sacred in all things.

If we move beyond the notion of God as merely a ruler or judge and instead embrace the divine as an all-encompassing presence, we open ourselves to deeper awe, wisdom, and responsibility. This shift not only enriches our spiritual lives but also compels us to care for the Earth as an expression of the divine itself. In doing so, we may begin to see the world, not as something to dominate, but as something sacred to cherish—a living testament to the creative force that breathes through all things.