.

Setting the Context:

First off, one has to acknowledge that regardless of what any of us believe, our beliefs are not going to change the fact that either God exists or He/She/It doesn't.   Reality is whatever reality is  regardless of what you and I believe.    Our beliefs about reality are just that -- beliefs.   They do not necessarily match reality.   So given these basic facts of life, let's ask a few questions about God.

.

.

Q.   What Is God?

Beliefs not Facts:   When someone speaks about God, they are referring to that unknown and unknowable source of all that transcends understanding.   Thus, they tell us absolutely nothing about what God actually is or isn't.   They are, instead, expressing what they believe about God.    Even atheists who believe that there is no such thing as a source or a creator are only expressing an opinion / belief.

An Analogy:   Suppose a someone you had recently met for the first time called you on the phone, and in a rather urgent and emotional voice said, "The moment I saw Charlie, I knew Charlie had been bitten by something.   What do I do now?"   You'd probably start by asking who or what Charlie is.   Is Charlie, your husband, your daughter, you dog, your pet fish, or a stuffed toy?   What bit Charlie, a mosquito, a shark or, the love bug.   You'd probably also ask what were the circumstances under which Charlie was bitten, and what condition is Charlie in right now?

Well, having a discussion about God without defining what you mean by "God"  is about as rational as offering a treatment for Charlie's bite without knowing anything more than,  "Something bit Charlie."

Requirement for a Meaningful Discussion:   To have even a semblance of mutual understanding, one must first define that is meant by the term God.   In addition to the page you are now reading, please see the pages titled:     Imagine a God . . .     and     Spiritual Awareness.°    Readers are also directed to the section on our "Relevant Biblical Passages" page titled,    Physical (body)   Versus   Non-physical (Spirit)°     On that page, pay particular attention to  Ecclesiastes11:5,RSV°  

Second, one must understand that the discussion would be about religious beliefs and  not about that unknown, unknowable, seemingly  infinite "Source of All That Is"  which is commonly referred to as "God."

Third,  nobody has any definitive answers.   Nobody can say, with provable certainty, that he or she is right and that everyone else is wrong.

Fourth,  one would also do well to begin any such discussion by distinguishing between religion and spirituality.   See the page titled,   Religion Versus God.° 

.

.

Q.   I have my own bible / sacred book.   Why should I look 
       for truth and wisdom anywhere else?

Well, as long as you're independently wealthy, your home-life is profoundly joyous, your sex life is completely fulfilling, your career is phenomenal, you have several very close and completely trustworthy friends, and you’re in perfect health, you shouldn’t.   If you are absolutely certain you already know all there is to know, then don't waste your time with us.

BUT, if you are willing to entertain the possibility that:

Trying to stick God into a single religion is like 
trying to fit the universe into a shoe box.

then you have a profound opportunity to see a face of God that you've previously overlooked.

.

.

Q.   Do you believe in God? 

Before we can answer that question, we need to define what you mean when you say "God."    

The False Face of God:    Are you talking about a fickle, angry, jealous, vengeful, intolerant, displeased, needy, and violent super-human being sitting on a cloud somewhere?

Are you talking about a god with an ego so great that  he demands our worship and a self-image so small that he demands our obedience -- a god so weak that he needs our help to punish the unfaithful and so weird that he murdered his own son as an expression of love -- a god so angry, hypocritical, and unforgiving that he preaches forgiveness and, at the same time, is still punishing people today because a long- dead ancestor ate fruit from a forbidden tree?   

Are you talking about a needy, brooding god who offers free will and then demands obedience to rules that completely escape human understanding --  a god who, with what seems like arbitrary unpredictability, heaps great good fortune onto some, horrendous misery onto others, and pretty much ignore everyone else.

Are you talking about a masculine god who created women as sex slaves and servants --  a god so small he can fit inside of a single religion or into a single sacred text -- a god who demands that we murder people simply because they believe in a different religion?    Are you talking about  "The Great God Money," the most revered deity on the planet today?  

If these characteristics define God, then the answer is definitely NO!   I don't believe anything which fits that description could possibly be God.   I'd sooner believe that the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny were living in my attic.^*** 

.

The Faceless Face of God:   When you ask, "Do you believe in God?",

If you are talking about the source of all creation -- a source and a consciousness that transcends human understanding, 

If you are talking about the sum total of all that is --  the ever-flowing essence of everything --  the central cause of all creation,  from the minutest to the greatest -- the source of everything we are and everything we experience,

If you are talking about "An Infinite Source"  who/which/that  has created a set of invisible laws --  laws that are as immutable as the law of gravity, laws that we each can intentionally use to create our own personal experiences (or ignore at our own peril),

If you are talking about a "God" that we are each a part of -- a "God" that is love, joy, and beauty manifesting itself in what we call the physical world?   

If that's your definition of God, then the answer is "DEFINITELY YES,  I DO BELIEVE IN GOD!"

.

Here's a quote form Albert Einstein:  

.

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds.   That deeply emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God."

.

A personal Note from this Author:   Many years ago, my first self-awareness teacher sat in front of me, leaned toward me,  looked directly into my eyes and then, in a slow deliberate voice, said to me,  "I am God!"   She paused for a moment, allowing time for the shock waves of doubt, disbelief to ripple through my mind, and then added,  "And so are you.   The only difference between us is that I know it and you don't?"    

Today, I hold an experiential understanding of what she meant.   But unfortunately, I cannot convey my understanding to you and more than my teacher could convey her understanding to me.   

References in the Christian Bible indicate that Jesus said essentially the same thing in slightly different words.  (John 14:12 ,   Psalms 82:6   Matthew 17:20   John 1:1   Isaiah 41:23,    John 10:30-35  + 10:38   John 10:17 )

As an experiment, go into your bathroom, close the door so that you'll not be disturbed or overheard, look into the mirror and say,    "I am God!   And so is everyone else.   I just don't realize it yet."  

Listen to the words your mind will so quickly answer back.   Say it again.   "I am God!   And so is everyone else.   I just don't realize it yet."  Stand there looking at a reflection of God in the mirror and contemplate the implications and meaning of that statement.

.

.

Q.   I've heard so many ridiculous statements from 
       religious fanatics that I've  simply turned my back 
       on all religions.   I want to believe in God, but I can't
       accept the vast majority of what I've heard as anything 
       but garbage wrapped in silk.   Is there any way you can
       help me?