Pied Piper---why don't you take a decision? It's easy. CHOOSE your God. This "empathy" you write about----why does it exist at all? That it does exist cannot be denied. Your "empathy" has relieved much suffering, accomplished many rescues from death-dealing calamity, given mercy and care to many an "enemy" and fed many a helpless and starving child. I can appreciate your disdain for the long-sustained imposition of utter crap that has been force-fed to much of humanity via the "good book" and its fancy-dress advocates. The truth IS in there, but is smothered by so much mumbo-jumbo, "prophecy" and mind-manipulating additive that it is hardly surprising that it is almost never recognised by rational human beings. How, for instance, can a claim be laid on true Christianity by those who would tempt "converts" by that continual trumpeting of a "Heavenly" reward?
Can anybody tell me truthfully that any description of this supposed destination conveys anything other than of a thoroughly boring place?!? A truly selfless human being acts [through empathy?] without thought of personal reward. That there are rewards accruing is true; but those rewards are tangible and within life's experience, sometimes incidentally taking the form of material gain, but always resulting in spiritual uplift. NOBODY can claim to "know" of this legendary place called "heaven"; and if I can choose mine, let it be a repeat of the life of a laddie born in Scotland, who grew up with wonderful friends, married the world's finest Lady and was blessed by a loving family.
   Stop looking in vain for those fairies, goblins, plagues, miracles and self-fulfilling "prophecies", Pied Piper---you recognise Empathy. Simply change the word to "Love". There is your God.