"It makes more sense to me to believe that human consciousness is, in some way, a manifestation of something larger." - Bee-dubya-ell

I am able to understand thinking and feeling this way, moreso than I understand conventional God beliefs.

But I don't really see human consciousness as inexplicable biologically. The whole is greater than its parts, therefore, consciousness, I think.

I have an affinity for mammals, wild and domestic. I've never been close to a mammal that I didn't sense was 'other', individual, in the same manner in which another human is 'other'. I don't mean that a cow or bear or cat thinks as humans think, or is emotional on the same gradient humans are, but they do think, and do exhibit emotions, and my thought is always 'there but for a chance of evolution go I'. So if human consciousness is a manifestation of something larger, I have to think that so is the more basic, less convoluted, consciousness of all those other critters.

This is a serious component of my reasons for being agnostic. When it comes to First Causes, I don't know, can't even guess, if Something with a larger consciousness directed that. But when it comes to my fellow warm-bloods, I definitely cannot conceive of a well meaning First Cause/Deity which deliberately would elevate my species over another to the tune of giving us that little extra invisible something referred to usually as a soul.