It occurs to me that every sentient being needs the knowledge that there is something or someone greater than itself. Dogs accept that, calves accept it, churchgoers accept it, children accept it, adult humans accept it, the pope accepts it.

I would politely but emphatically dispute every single claim in that sentence, Ebbie. You're speaking for all of them? Dogs, calves, and humans around the globe? I don't think so. To begin with, take me off of that list. I would base my argument on the premise that people in different cultures have different beliefs, and much of their common belief system is contained as baggage in their languages. What your remark displays is an acceptance that what your language (English) and culture (new-world, industrial-religion, christian-based) tell you are somehow "universal," but this isn't the case. You didn't take into account the Unitarians or many other nations around the world. And human language and ideas can only convey what humans think, not what animals are capable of thinking or feeling.

SRS