Who is a god and who is just worshiped as one?

[BlankAccount]

Thought it be cool to see everyone's different interpretations on this.

Obviously you have monsters like King Kong who is worshiped as a god because he is stupid big, Gojira named after a god from Odo Island's myths cause his first confirmed appearance was on their shores, but then you have monsters like Mothra and Battra who in most incarnations are a nature spirit if not literal gods.

[Spuro]

The only thing that separates a god from any other entity, no matter how powerful, is whether or not they're worshiped as one.

Mothra, Kong, the original Godzilla, Varan, and Manda are therefore all considered gods by those who worship them. Stronger monsters like Hedorah or King Ghidorah (excluding Monster Planet) aren't, simply because no one believes that they are gods.

Godhood is a title given to someone or something by their followers, not a title someone can give to themselves, otherwise there would be nothing that separates a supposed god from a similarly powerful monster with similar abilities. Gigan and Megalon are both science fiction influenced creatures with metallic anatomy, whether it be artificial (Gigan) or natural (Megalon). Megalon is only a god because, unlike Gigan, he has worshipers that have given him that title. The same can be said for Showa Mothra and King Caeser; they are similarly powerful, but only one is explicitly worshiped as a god. The other is merely considered a guardian.

Therefore, our gods are:
- Original Godzilla
- Varan
- Showa Mothra
- King Kong
- Manda
- Gezora
- Megalon
- Possibly Heisei Mothra, Battra, and Millennium Mothra – It's been a while, but I don't remember if they were explicitly worshiped as gods (two individuals aren't much of a following anyway) or considered nature guardians.
- Kind of the Guardian Monsters from GMK – They were once considered gods, but that civilization has long passed. In the modern era they're considered guardians, like King Caeser.
- Legendary King Kong
- Kind of Legendary Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and possibly Ghidorah – for the same reasons as GMK.
– Monster Planet Godzilla, Mothra, and Ghidorah

[Manuelito Canelito]

Yep, gods only are gods when they are worshipped

An 11th dimensional being with the ability to manipulate reality, quantum mechanics and the four fundamental forces of the Universe is basically omnipotent.
But if it isn't worshipped, it's a cosmic entity, not a god.

[Maritonic]

Therefore, our gods are:
- Original Godzilla
- Varan
- Showa Mothra
- King Kong
- Manda
- Gezora
- Megalon
- Possibly Heisei Mothra, Battra, and Millennium Mothra – It's been a while, but I don't remember if they were explicitly worshiped as gods (two individuals aren't much of a following anyway) or considered nature guardians.
- Kind of the Guardian Monsters from GMK – They were once considered gods, but that civilization has long passed. In the modern era they're considered guardians, like King Caeser.
- Legendary King Kong
- Kind of Legendary Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and possibly Ghidorah – for the same reasons as GMK.
– Monster Planet Godzilla, Mothra, and Ghidorah

-Original Godzilla isn't worshipped, though. He's part of a "legend". it's not really the same thing.
-Nothing Heisei was really worshipped, same with Millennium Mothra. Granted, there are cave paintings and the Shobijin, but that's not the same.
-I don't remember the Guardian Monsters ever being called Gods. Been a while, though. I thought they were always just considered ancient guardians.
-How are Legendary Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah worshipped in any way shape or form?
-Same goes for Planet Godzilla? There is never any sort of worship or idolization towards him.

[Manuelito Canelito]

In Monster Apocalypse it's mentioned that there really people who worship kaiju, specially Godzilla.

[Maritonic]

In Monster Apocalypse it's mentioned that there really people who worship kaiju, specially Godzilla.

Doesn't this come back to the ol' saying if it's not on screen it doesn't exist?

[Ivo-goji]

I'd flip this around and I suggest many of the kaiju we think of as being accidents of nature are actually supernatural beings. Godzilla himself especially.

[HeiseiGodzilla117]

-How are Legendary Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah worshipped in any way shape or form?

In the past they certainly were. At least the first 3. We even see paintings in the underwater scene of people worshiping Godzilla.

[Maritonic]

We do...?

I dunno, man. Far as I'm concerned no kaiju post-Showa are really "Gods" to me. I guess anime-Ghidorah, but when he ends up being a space thunder storm I won't think that anymore. For me, personally, the worshiping and God stuff stopped in the Showa era.

[Dr. Professor]

-How are Legendary Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Ghidorah worshipped in any way shape or form?

In the past they certainly were. At least the first 3. We even see paintings in the underwater scene of people worshiping Godzilla.

We do...?

[Ivo-goji]

We do...?

I dunno, man. Far as I'm concerned no kaiju post-Showa are really "Gods" to me. I guess anime-Ghidorah, but when he ends up being a space thunder storm I won't think that anymore. For me, personally, the worshiping and God stuff stopped in the Showa era.

So Heisei Mothra and Kiryu Mothra weren't gods? Even though the latter is literally the same Mothra from the original film?

For that matter, anime Mothra, more obviously so than Ghidorah one would think.

[Maritonic]

We do...?

I dunno, man. Far as I'm concerned no kaiju post-Showa are really "Gods" to me. I guess anime-Ghidorah, but when he ends up being a space thunder storm I won't think that anymore. For me, personally, the worshiping and God stuff stopped in the Showa era.

So Heisei Mothra and Kiryu Mothra weren't gods? Even though the latter is literally the same Mothra from the original film?

For that matter, anime Mothra, more obviously so than Ghidorah one would think.

I neglected to mention Anime Mothra because we haven't seen anime Mothra, but yes I'd consider her one, in theory.

I don't, personally( really really can't emphasize more: PERSONALLY) see these monsters are "Gods". When you compare how Showa Mothra is thematically treated and how Heisei Mothra is thematically treated, it's entirely different. So. Showa we see tribes of people bowing, praying, worshiping. Heisei we see the Shobijin for a hot second.

[RamshackleRanger]

We do...?

I dunno, man. Far as I'm concerned no kaiju post-Showa are really "Gods" to me. I guess anime-Ghidorah, but when he ends up being a space thunder storm I won't think that anymore. For me, personally, the worshiping and God stuff stopped in the Showa era.

Pretty sure Mike Dougherty has stated that one of the major themes of KotM will be about the monsters as mythical beings and/or gods. I'll provide the source if I manage to find it again.

[BlankAccount]

I'm surprised people are dismissing Mothra as only a god because she is worshiped as one.

Are we forgetting this is the same monster who can be summoned with her symbol? Or sealed Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year in the sea with that same symbol made of glowing holy light?

[Maritonic]

Or sealed Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year in the sea with that same symbol made of glowing holy light?

Meh? There's nothing to support this, aside from a pretty visual. I always took it as Mothra paying tribute to Battra, never her "sealing Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year".

[BlankAccount]

Or sealed Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year in the sea with that same symbol made of glowing holy light?

Meh? There's nothing to support this, aside from a pretty visual. I always took it as Mothra paying tribute to Battra, never her "sealing Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year".

They wouldn't put it in there for nothing.


I just don't get some of you fans, they are so against anything unreal in a series about Giant Monsters.

[Maritonic]

Or sealed Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year in the sea with that same symbol made of glowing holy light?

Meh? There's nothing to support this, aside from a pretty visual. I always took it as Mothra paying tribute to Battra, never her "sealing Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year".

They wouldn't put it in there for nothing.


I just don't get some of you fans, they are so against anything unreal in a series about Giant Monsters.

Well that was uncalled for. Excuse me for having an opinion other than yours?

Not to mention I never said anything about "unreal" so I have no clue where that even came from.

"Thought it'd be cool to everyone's different interpretation on this." Doesn't that mean hearing opposing opinions?
Added in 16 minutes :
Literally all I said was that, aside from the anime stuff, I personally don't see the god stuff in the films post-Showa. I don't know why that's an offensive opinion.

[Spuro]

I'm surprised people are dismissing Mothra as only a god because she is worshiped as one.

Are we forgetting this is the same monster who can be summoned with her symbol? Or sealed Godzilla and Battra's corpse away for a year in the sea with that same symbol made of glowing holy light?

Well, yeah. That's what defines a god.

Without worshipers she's just a supernatural guardian creature with magical abilities.

[Kaeyas]

This got me to thinking that it's likely shortly after the events of Shin Godzilla (using this an example but would really work with any Godzilla or any kaiju for that matter...Shin did some pretty crazy skreonk and it's recent so using it here) you'd have cults started with people building shrines to him believing him to be a god, God himself or even Satan. Regardless of which, he'd have people making alters to him and probably even leaving offerenings at his frozen feet. Even Hedorah I think could have people who would worship him. After all that's where the term "cult following" was started. I'm sure if you went back far enough, most major religions started out with something we'd call a cult today ie: small group of believers but not necessarily radical beliefs. But back to subject, none of these started out as "gods" but then again, no "living" god could have started out that way so it's all how you precieve it and restrictions etc. you place on being a candidate.

[edgaguirus]

Based on what we see in film, Mothra is clearly considered a god. The natives of Infant Island worship Mothra, performing dances, singing, and praying to the giant creature. Varan is also held up as a holy figure by the Obaki, but their relationship with Varan is one of fear. Kong is the middle ground here. The natives clearly fear Kong, but he also provides them with a level of protection.

I don't know if I'd call Megalon or Manda gods. They are revered by their cultures, but seem more like guardian figures than gods.