i suppose that god is best defined as an intelligence behind the creation and operation of the universe and religion as a vehicle of social control and/or change through mysticism. why do most people insist on linking the two? it seems to me the ultimate conceit that a man could understand the desires of an intelligence capable of the creation of everything and yet almost all religions claim to do just this.

modern religions give their followers a list of rules supposedly handed down from a deity and require them to follow those rules and to worship that deity in hopes of a future reward. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the only difference between government and religion is worship. of what possible use could worship be to an entity capable of envisioning and creating all of reality? maybe it's the rules that are important and the worship that is mere formality. for the most part these rules can be summed up by saying be nice and treat others with respect, all the rest seems to be nothing more than political posing and flowery prose.

god, however, has nothing to do with rules. this is an intelligence far beyond anything we could ever dream of and many religions would have us believe that we were created in his image, the audacity of that conceit amazes me. if this god were to even notice this one species on this one little rock floating in space, i doubt it would care whether we were screwing our neighbor's wives or eating pigs or whatever.

maybe the blessed are those who are thankful that the universe was created (by whatever) and that they are alive. maybe you only have to be nice and treat others with respect to be amongst the chosen. maybe we should enjoy the life we have and try to improve it instead of worrying about what comes after. if god is out there somewhere maybe we should just say a quick thanks and get on with our lives.