with probably between 10 and 26 dimensions being the true nature of reality, i doubt that your school, teachers, books, etc...could offer validation of such things. But can't you sense a supreme being in a sunrise, or sailing, or a beautiful woman, or a flushed golf shot, Beethoven's 6th 2nd movement, an iced cold beer?
Some of the most complex things in life can bring the simplest pleasures. Maybe if we all stopped to admire some of these amazing things we just might find an unbelievable satisfaction in their presence. Not including everything on his list, but I think you get the picture.
The choirboys are victims of priests not living up to their religion. It may be the fault of the organization, but spiritual/moral guidelines can't be blamed when they are not followed. DO NOT: Stand while the bus is in motion. If you are standing when the bus wrecks and you break an arm, would you blame the rule telling you not to stand? I assume this is obvious, but of course I agree with the latter part of your statement. Are you presuming Red is God? Reason tells me that something must come from something. That is an endless cycle, so to break it the only other conclusion that can be made is that everything came from nothing. The anti-fundamentalist returns. I see you have deeply considered things. I seriously think the answer to both of these questions is the profundity of free will and a more evolved understanding of the concept of God. If we exist for the glory of God it is only to help us comprehend that we are small and part of something bigger. Our egos need to be humbled because experience is free and can be unforgiving. Our egos will not make us matter, our egos will not allow us to cope with our deepest fears, our egos will not deliver us from mortality. What's funny is that martin said something very similar and I think you both have a point.
"God as a concept". I have to assume you're talking about learned, well-read, curious, intellectual types of people. That's got to be the only people this phrase would apply to. If you're applying this to everyone, you're wrong. I'm not going to give you examples of this, you'll figure it out, I'm sure. I'll give you the choirboy theory. I'm sure the pope doesn't agree or allow molestion. I guess the background check on hopeful priest candidates isn't up to par. However, he does have the authority to change the rule of catholocism to include it if he wants. You really didn't answer the other questions posed by my opinion. I guess you feel that our human problems here on earth are too small for God to intervene. Innocent death by whatever means is a miniscule matter. Maybe God only intervenes for sports success, the athletes really seem to make a point of thanking him by pointing to the stars after every touchdown.
Who of us could begin to claim that we understand the mind of God? I disagree with your contention that a lack of understanding of His methods indicates that He doesn't exist. "Bad stuff happens. Q.E.D. God doesn't exist".
Your neighbor just starved his little girl and she died a slow, agonizing death. Happens all the time. It really does. I just don't understand "His methods". If, in fact this is an example of "His methods", I'm gonna have have to say that God's methods leave a little to be desired.
why not worship the sun, there is proof it exists, without it we would have never existed, for that matter, why not worship the moon too, who knows what we would be like if not for the moon, if we would even be at all.
probably b/c all the other planets have cool names for their moons like Selene, Luna, Artemis. who wants to worship just, ole mighty moon. thats freaking lame. otherwise i might be on board.
