Shimrod says: You cannot elevate a 'belief' to a 'truth' unless you can back up your belief with evidence.

I think I can agree with that...to a point. But as I said above, I look on "belief" as a context for exploration, not as "truth." In many ways, "truth" is irrelevant to me because I find it limiting. I come from a religious tradition which I find to be of value to me - it's where I come from. However, I feel free (and obliged) to explore the mysteries of life also from a non-theistic perspective.

Steve Shaw: Thanks. I think we understand (and respect) each other.

-Joe-