Hmm...so many people talking about religion. Perhaps there is hope after all. What is important here is that the dialogue continues, for that is how we know that we are all connected to each other...different bodies...one soul. Ed, although I cannot give you empirical proof, other than a long anthopological history of cultures reaching higher and realizing that they don't have control over things like earthquakes, floods, rain, etc., after a long and challenging journey, I can tell you God does, in fact, exist. Do not call Him He, or She, or It, for God is beyond anyhting that you can imagine or explain. And do not imbue Him with things like anger, wrath,punishment or vengeance, or try to make Him into a deified version of man. He is not any of these. The only reason I use He, is because I need to speak in a language that has some sort of universal understanding. I can only tell you that if you seek to find God, you will find God.
    By the way, it is my understanding that the various Hindu Deities are not separate beings, but different aspects of the One Central Godhead. Any Hindus out there may correct me if I am wrong.