Whether or not God exists is inconsequential to the human experience

[Lemur]

Lemur, fair enough. However, gods existance isnt really something you can have a moderate view on, is it? ... [I]t is the people signing on to some religious dogma without a hint of reason that I question.

I would disagree, and propose that you can have a moderate view on the existence of God. Exemplum gratum: I believe in God, but I also believe that God is by definition unknowable, as I said earlier. This makes me more of an Old Testament kinda guy, as per the Book of Job. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." This resonates with me powerfully.

Where my skepticism/moderation rears its ugly head is when I hear/read/see other human being claiming to know the mind and intentions of God. They are claiming a mantle that will not and could not ever fit them. Going back to analogies, it's like a mouse claiming to know the destination, structure and details of a supertanker. Even that analogy is too kind; more like an intestinal bacteria declaring that it knows the outline and structure of a cluster galaxy. Hubris doesn't begin to cover it.

Religion is one way of approaching the unknowable, ineffable, infinite mind that is God. It has its limitations and dangers. Science is another way; it too has limitations and dangers.

I don't mean to dive too deeply into Fitch's Paradox and the omniscience principle, but there are limits to what human beings can know, no matter how advanced our technology and/or culture becomes. We are mortal, imperfect, grasping, greedy, lustful, weak, angry little critters, which is how we were made. And as Popeye would say, "I am what I am and that's all what's I am."

People obsessed with dogma are boring and sometimes dangerous. They're a lot like the crazy dude you know who thinks that the country that controls magnesium will control the universe.

The essential tenets of all major religions are something along these lines:

• Don't be a jerk
• Have lots of babies
• Think before you do something cruel
• Be charitable
• Have empathy
• Spread this religion
• ????
• Profit

Or some combination thereof. To get bogged down in dogma is a sign that you need a hobby.