Here's what I think The Almighty might say if we really asked

"Look, quit bugging me, okay? Sheesh. Everybody's invoking my name to justify their own petty agendas and selfish power plays, and I'm sick of it. I'm too busy for that. I reallllly don't care whether you elect Democrats or Republicans, or which football team wins or whose culture is superior. You're all missing the point."

"Let me try this again, one more time. I created this world, and left the rest up to you. I gave you a basic suggestion on how to make it work. Just remember that you are one part of something much bigger than yourself. You are connected to everything and everyone. I don't care what you call that, or even what you call me. Just appreciate it and act accordingly."

"You remember the Golden Rule? 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' and 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' I also gave the same advice to other cultures, in slightly different words."

"That's it.That was the instruction manual. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Just basic common sense. All you'd have to do is remember that advice, and the rest of it would fall into place.....But do you listen? Noooooooo."

"Now shoo. I already told you all you need to know thousands of years ago. Get a clue and stop trying to use me for your own selfish purposes."

I have no doubt that the Almighty would say those words.

But, the question is... would anyone listen?

I think not.

I'm not too sure but what it(I've never quite figured out why an omniscient, omnipotent deity needs a gender)might echo Mencken's thought that there comes a time when one is sorely tempted to spit on ones hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats, but then again, maybe that's what it has us for.

If there is a god it is inconceivably that she would be anything remotely like the god portrayed by many, if not most, of the religious lunatics on this planet.

I think what is important in the message is the very simple instruction manual. Two simple steps. "Do onto others..." and "Love thy neighbor..." are probably the most important lessons in all the world's religions. If one is going to believe, I can't see how one can miss them; I can't see how one can ignore them and still profess to be religious.

Recommended.

I'm an agnostic -- which means I'm hedging my bets.:)

But I do think the "instruction manual" is so simple that if we all were to practice it, the specific form of one's beliefs would be insignificant by comparison.

The almighty needs a new accountant. *HE* seems to be broke all the time.

To be fair, the upkeep on all those streets of gold, pearly gates, etc must be a bit stiff. Not to mention decking out the Heavenly Chorus, cute cherubs, and keeping the angels in halos and paying their flight time.

Yea, you know, I'm God an all, and I'm "supposed" to be perfect, but that * is really starting to try my patience.

"You idiots made your own bed by letting this guy become president, now you have to lie in it."