With the passing of a 93 year old friend yesterday, who we visited for the last time in hospital on Thursday night. She was a true believer in Christ, God, Salvation. It begs the question, is there a God, or is there no God, and what does it all mean for mankind.

Stephen Hawking (January 8, 1942–March 14, 2018) one of the great intellects of modern times, offered much to contemplate on the subject of the existence of God. His books are well worth a read.

http://www.themarginalian.org/2019/07/17/stephen-hawking-brief-answers-to-the-big-questions/

Dear Paul,

Beliefs are so subjective.

I was raised a Catholic. And this has lasted and will
probably last for my lifetime. I have no intention
though of preaching to or trying to convert anyone
else. I prefer to keep my beliefs private. I'm probably
not a very good Catholic. I am critical of the Church.

But -

I love
the rituals associated with the Catholic faith. I
loved the Latin Mass. I found prayer helpful during
times of stress. But I also have seen the mistakes
that the Church has made. However I don't blame the
teachings of Christ ford the mistakes that man makes.

I believe in a higher power. Science can explain a lot.
But there are many things that science cannot explain -
such as the meaning of life, and so on. And for that reason
I believe that religion will be around for a long time yet.
As will the belief in a higher power.

cont'd ...

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the link. Many academics and intellectuals
like Hawking have offered their views on religion and
God. And, I'm sorry to hear about your friend's
passing. But if a person's beliefs bring them comfort
and solace in their times of difficulty - then we
should try to see things from their point of view.

After all if there's no God - no higher power - no
one greater than we are - what's the point of it all?

On the lighter side - as George Bernard Shaw said
to a nun from his death-bed:

"Sister may all your son's be bishops."

I'm of the opinion that we'll all find out soon enough but if we live our life as if there is a God then the whole of humanity can't go wrong. And, if there isn't a God then it does us no harm either to have lived according to what we're told in the Holy books. People who deliberately cause problems for others do more than enough damage by being non-believing hypocrites by pretending they do believe in a God.
God is as real as your own character & mentality want God to be !

Dear Paul,

If there is no God
Would the moon softly gleam
If there is no God
Would the sun still beam

If there is no God
Would the stars still shine
If there is no God
Would you still be mine

If there is no God
Would justice still live
Would the hearts of humankind
Forget and forgive

If there is no God
Would love really dwell
Amongst our communities
Could it excel

If there is no God
Think what we'd all be
An energised mass floating out in space
Not living and learning by His Divine Grace.

Dear Paul,

Are you interested in a serious answer, or just popular ones?

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Dear Foxy,

Thank you for the nice poem.

For delving deeper into this poem, try substituting 'God' with 'consciousness'.

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_a_tree_falls_in_a_forest_and_no_one_is_around_to_hear_it,_does_it_make_a_sound%3F)

«If there is no God
Think what we'd all be
An energised mass floating out in space
Not living and learning by His Divine Grace.»

The "energised mass floating out in space" refers to our bodies.
That says nothing about what we are, we who have and/or dwell in these bodies.