The God Problem 3 (and finally)

[Thats my opinion]

36. G.....m Having dealt with you over the last couple of years,

I'm never sure whether you really want to engage in a serious conversation or belong to that small cabal which just wants to smack down anything said outside their rather ultra conservative viewpoint. But for now, until it is obvious I am wrong, I'll take your question at face value--while I ,as usual, I simply ignore the sniping from the peanut gallery.

Yes, i have said that some religion brings out the noble in people so that they do good things. Some religion does very bad things, and some non-religionists do very good things. Nobody has a corner on either. When the notion of God is one of love, graciousness, forgiveness, benevolence--and people are called to emulate that in the world and with one another, yes that notion of God leads some people to do very good things. Not for any reward, but that is just how the world best works. There are millions of examples. Just look around.

And yes I see what you call this "fundamental force" as the epitome of the passion to lift all of life. The most common example is evolution. In individuals the best examples are in the millions of people who spend their lives in service. Gandhi, King, Francis--just to name a quick three.

So want is goodness?. Is it just some abstract quality which has it no rootage, no cause, no examples? Or is there nothing that calls people to the good , benevolent, forgiving, gracious life? Left to our own inclinations we are a pretty bloodthirsty bunch. Civilization in the thin veneer over the jungle. The basic untouched law of life is that of tooth and claw. Culture--art, music, architecture, poetry, religion, cathedrals, ritual, faith, hope and love all offer a different path. Find me a few civilizations with all that religion has provided removed or never there, and I wonder what kind of culture you would have.

Is religion all and only good? We both know better. But save us from living in a society devoid of its art, music, beauty, compassion and hope. I can't think of any, can you? Name one. And would you choose to live there/