I join my praise to that offered by Crabsy. A very interesting and thought provoking quote, Monsieur Poirot, and a most worthy response by Crabsy - and, panentheism, another new word for me, and what a magic thought and concept. I shall have to think long and hard about these images of our very lively universe, and our small and humble place within it. Hear, hear!

There has been a depth of thought revealed in this thread which is way beyond my humble scope, and so it should be. I can only hope to be the better for it. Thank you all.

Thanks for that, Gents.

...wish I had the clarity of expression and literary presence on Mann - certainly a powerful piece.

As evidence that this thread can evolve ideas which just might be worth clicking the one-quarter-back selection button for…

I cite the following recent samples:

Crabsy's Sunday offerings for honest reflection and perhaps insight.
Poirot took us to the Vatican Observatory and a parallel view of science and religion (were they two Catholic brother Brothers?).
Trav adds observations about interpretational differences, presuppositions and evidence from historical human actions (this thread is normality?).
Houellebecq, if not actually confronting a mysterious secret is at least responding to it.
Poirot can be fascinated and lured.
Grim discovers the dichotomy that cleaves wisdom and enlightenment – looking in the wrong cleavage.
Pericles takes us through classical Greek scholarship, scriptural interpretation, a demonstration of religious emotional power over the aeons, an analytical demonstration and an expression of hope for lessening strife (yet failed to mention Michael Praed's Robin of Sherwood, or at least the theme music).

Then in the last 24 hours:

Poirot adds more to our vocabularies and our need to search Wikipedia for mandoria (and I learn Prince Charles' book wasn't about new years' in Scotland).
Houellebecq has learnt that the correct name symbolising his tit-for-tat approach to life, the universe and everything is 'vesica piscis'; though it sounds like something slightly, well… communicable.
Ammonite is sustained, safe, secure and speaks to Mel Brooks (next time ask him, in "Young Frankenstein" when he wrote that "Walk this way" bit, if it was a disguised reference to Jesus, or just funny).
Then Poirot spices the mix again with a Mann-sized bite at the organic and inorganic universe (always liked the idea that stars had to die to make me – not that I am big headed about it or anything)…

Crabsy (thanks, and also for panentheism), as long as there are ideas in a thread balancing more to the opinion that the opinionated and I think I can make a contribution, I intend to try.

Hear, hear, WmTrevor, a most illuminating and informative expose of the evolution of this thread, and most picturesquely expressed. Makes a grand read.

Twould be well if all OLO threads could follow a similarly wholesome pattern, but alas, life was not meant to be so easy.

Regards, P.

Spiritual Atheism.
Jesus said
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through ME.
God is triune---- Father Son and Holy Spirit.
So a Spiritual Atheist would be saying God is not Spirit, OR
The other spirits exist (spiritual) but there is no God who is a (Holy Spirit).
Satan is a spirit (not Holy though) and he has a legion of other evil spirits with him.

The Lord's Prayer was taught to us by Jesus. He taught us to pray:

Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.........................(Jesus)
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses...................sins
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation.
Deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the Power and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus was King of the Jews. He is and has been building His kingdom.

Why did Jesus give us this prayer?? As a pattern to pray to our heavenly father.
Maybe Julia remembers some of the truths she was taught as a child when she suggested we pray.

Wm Trevor,

Thank you for your entertaining summation. This thread is probably nearing its close, but perhaps I can wring a little more from it.

Houellie mentioned the symbols which are part of our world, and our subconscious immersion in their meanings.

Poets and artists use these symbols to connect us to meaning - often we are consciously unaware of how this language speaks to us.

A poem from Baudelaire:

Past Nature's vibrant pillared temple where
Mysterious words at times may sound, man strays
Through forests of symbols, as he wanders there
They watch him with their old familiar gaze.
As long-drawn echoes merge so far beyond
In unity profound and faint, as night
Unbounded, wast, immeasurable as light -
So perfumes, sounds and colours all respond.

Some perfumes are as sweet as infants' flesh,
Dulcet as oboes, green as meadows lit,
And others, rank, in triumph rise afresh

To flaunt the increase of things infinite,
Like musk and amber, benjamin and incense,
That sing hosannas to the soul and sense.