well written, and he will be missed.

i guess we must all learn the golden rule eh? never discuss politics and religion at a dinner, party, forum? blog? etc…

btw, u all have valid points. we all deserve our own beliefs don’t we?

Your Number 5: Logic dictates that if we have a creator, then our creator must have a creator also.

My explanation:
The law of gravity dictates that I can not jump 10 feet high on earth,
but I can do that on the moon. Also, remember anomalous expansion of
water, defying the law applying on other liquids when temperatures
cool? The point is that the laws and reasons in physics, biology and
logic etc that we have understood and discovered apply in a limited
context. Science acknowledges this. The creation-must-have-creator logic does not apply on the creator because He (if He really is the All Powerful, Magnificent Creator of everrrrrything) is beyond the context in which our understanding operates. I gave one example of gravity, but there can be numerous others to show this. More discussion possible.

Your Number 9: Why does God not ’show’ himself?

My explanation:
Knowing that the police and jails etc exist, do some people not still steal, rape etc? Does showing everyone a police station solve crime? Thus this is not the best way for God to (A) guide us to Himself, and (B) especially when this life is a test. People who question Him now, would find the next level excuse if He did show Himself.

This demand is not a stupid one though; I would never believe something without proof. But the demand has to be sincere. Without seeing the train, I know it exists because I see the track. I would hate to be illogical or unscientific. I believe there are enough signs, the biggest being the Qur’an (which you say promises 72 virgins in heaven, but it really doesn’t ), that show God, without showing Him. More discussion possible.

Lastly, assume that bacteria in a culture dish in a lab could think
like humans. Can they ’see’ the scientist? No. But can they not see his ’signs’? Does he stop existing because the bacteria can’t see him?

Here’s one more - Imagine a robbery in your house. You didn’t see anyone take the things. But you know a robber exists, because you’ve seen his signs. Why a different policy for God?

Your Number 10: How can <100 years of good deeds get you infinite life in heaven. The pay back ratio is too high.

My explanation:
This point is a little silly frankly I will still share my thoughts. Imagine an immigrant selling pop corn in the streets. His profit margin is hardly 50 odd cents per bag. But then imagine Bill Gates selling software. His profit margin is a billion plus per release! The pop corn seller would never even BELIEVE that much profit was possible

Catch my drift? Mr. Miser tips $10, I tip $100, an oil rich Arab sheikh may tip $10,000 to waiters for the same service.

If there is a ‘God’ rewarding us in the afterlife, His ‘profit margin’
to us must be beyond human ability; otherwise He is NOT God.

Tail piece: I’m no authority on any religion. Just read your article, liked it and thought I’d share my comments. I’m a little old for flame fights; this is just in case some one is interested in hearing the comments from the ‘other’ side Cheers mate!