User blog comment:Vitorriq/who created the pagan gods/@comment-50.151.225.83-20160720053734/@comment-3045936-20160720061038

Well before the introduction of Angels in season 4, the gods were considered the strongest race. Demons only out ranked them, on how to kill as only the colt and then Ruby's knife could kill demons. The gods are empowered by the tributes, but as of now it doesn't matter if they take them forcefully or if given. So they don't gain power like from people believing in them. More like offerings in their name, increase their power. At their default level the seem, to out class most lower ranking demons.

I mean, in season 5 Hammer of the Gods, Sam ask Loki aka Gabriel if the gods could defeat Lucifer. However they were almost powerless before him. I chuck that up to both lack of tributes, and the fact that an Archangel's power is 10x if not 100x greater than a normal angel's. However Kali could use a blood magic spell to control Gabriel.

I like to think of two things about how they were born. One they are the races of God's first worlds he created or even fragments of those worlds take form in the universe. Or B, they appeared like Amara and God, but aren't as powerful so they have to constantly sacrifice some of their strength to keep them existing, thus why tributes give them power.