: Someone or something has caused the religious idea to exist in the world. : The concept of one god is odd for the religious belief systems that exist. : Things have happened that cannot in anyway be explained. All this points to someone or something having influence over man and the universe. : I therefore believe in God. The question is whether the existance can be proved to everyone's satisfaction here in this universe.

I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the idea of religious belief came from somewhere, and I think that somewhere is the root of the problem. Looking back through time and seeing the evolution of religion is an amazing thing. Early caveman drawings of godlike creatures, mythlogical tales, Ancient indian practices, all show that humans have, throughout their existence, have attributed "unknown" phenomena to so higher being(s). The idea of one God (monotheism) is hardly a new concept. In the second millenium B.C. people all over the Western world worshipped Enlil and Ninlil (similar to God and Jesus) for nearly two thousand years. But of course, now we think we have the right God....

To rest your beliefs in the few unknowns in the world that might keep the concept of God alive is a shaky faith, and most certainly one that will be disappointed time and again. It's time to stop wishing it points to some higher being and actually find out if it does.

• Re: Questions... - Paul_Rest/">Paul Rest - August 3, 1998 - 19:44 UTC