Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-1820614-20150731024240

In Marvel, gods are a specific classification of being that meet all of the standard traits of a polytheistic god: power beyond normal mortals, virtual immortality, ability to hear prayers (a separate ability from telepathy) and some connection to an afterlife. Galactus and Eternity have addressed Thor and Hercules as gods with no reason to think they were lying or dumming anything down. An entire type of beings recognize each other as gods and have traits that set them apart from Eternals, mutants, or your standard powered alien.

To the general public I can understand viewing Thor or Hercules as no different than other superpowered beings like Gilgamesh, Storm or Colossus. But heroes like Hank Pym and Stark have hung out with these guys, been to their homes, been to their afterlives, etc. So how do they remain atheists while claiming to be scientists who accept evidence? I am not saying they have to have any respect for such beings in a religious or spiritual sense. Plenty of people throughout history have believed God or gods exist, but do not have any respect for them or want to worship them. Even if you can explain everything about them how does that change what they are?

For that matter how do they regard Thor or Hercules's claims of godhood? Do they regard them as deluded? Egotistical? What about the statements of Galactus or other beings confirming their godhood? Do they reject the concept entirely to the point they redefine terms so they do not have to acknowledge it? 