MtheGM, the idea of a deity who writes the script for whatever happens, just doesn't work. I suppose there are some who see it that way, but through the millennia, the main stream of religious thinking has not taken that simplistic approach. In general, religious thinkers define God as ineffable, and say that any attempt to define God is bound to fall short. The Orthodox define God by oxymorons. The Western Church has some - trinity, virgin birth, transcendent yet immanent, etc. The idea is that God is known by experience, not by observation or indoctrination. Yeah, I've had that sort of experience at times, and it's good. It's not a shoutin' jumpin' hallelujah! sort of thing for me - it's more like a passing moment of absolute serenity.

All I can say is that I've lived my life practicing a religious creed and steeped in a religious tradition, and it works for me. I'm quite certain it does not restrict my thinking in any way. For me, it makes me consider things more deeply and to consider alternatives and to take chances - although I concede that it doesn't work that way for many people. And even though it works very well for me, I'm not so sure that I would recommend that anyone practice a religion. That's something they have to choose for themselves.

I kinda like you the way you are, Mike. Don't go religious on me, now. ;-)

-Joe-