I have this stubborn streak in me that is not comfortable with the idea of allowing the “ruiners” to degrade our cultural inheritance (one) and then make us go looking for replacements (two). I’d rather do the work of cleaning the soiled items and putting them back into their rightful service than to allow the ignorati to continually chase me from my own nest and then leave it to me to build a new one. It is the responsibility of ignorance to adjust to culture; not the other way ‘round. Reality stays; ruiners take a hike. (steps down from soapbox)

@skado

I get what you are saying, and I agree to some extent. The problem as I see it is that the word “God” includes a host of ancient mythical figures such as Zeus, Woden, Ares, etc., etc. Then there’s Yahweh, the old Semitic God that is worshipped by Jews, Muslims, and Christians in some form or other. I’m not very well educated about this, but isn’t Yahweh a product of the harsh desert society, patriarchal, stern, punishing. That is the God worshipped by most of the world’s people. I don’t call myself an atheist but if that’s all I knew about God I’d be an atheist too.

The Hindus have a bunch of minor gods or demigods in their possession, but then, while keeping those they developed the sophisticated metaphysical concept of Brahman, a concept that resonates with me and makes me shiver in awe, even though I have no training in the subject. Brahman of the Upanishads is a different kettle of fish than mythical gods like Jahweh, and anyway, I don’t think the Indians present Brahman as a god. “Ultimate Reality” would be closer.

As I say, I am no expert, but I do lean toward thinking there’s a higher power beyond the world of our senses, and that the word “God” as it is used by most people is not an adequate name for that higher power.

I greatly value your input.