Dear Pericles,

Can you help me interpret Belly's words?
They are like the Greek oracle (sometimes even like the bible) - one can interpret them any way they want.

<<My reference was to all who follow a God>>

Well, everyone follows God, even the butchers and the bakers - some do it consciously others not, some believe so, others not, but ultimately that's the direction we're all heading to, whether or not we've ever seen or heard about a church or a synagogue or a mosque or a temple.

Belly's use of the word "follow" can be read either as "all who approach (come behind) God", or "all who worship (serve) God", but the later is not the same as worshiping a deity because God isn't a deity; or it could be read in a dozen other ways.

He then turns to tell us about abuse by Muslims, etc. - of course if that's what he means by "religion" then we don't need it, but then he could just the same refer to the pie which was burnt in the oven and came out overcooked as "religion", then claim that it's something we don't need.

I wish God knew what Belly means, but I'm afraid He doesn't.

As for the writing of others, the idea came to me that perhaps several people here are mixing up the Abrahamic model with religion. These are not the same of course, but perhaps it's that idea as if they were which got stuck in people's minds. In that case, it can then be fruitful to have here a discussion titled: "The Abrahamic model, do we need it?"

Hi Yuyutsu,

Regarding "confusion"....your own words are a little that way also.

From my previous understanding of your notions of the concept of "God", you believe that we are already God, indeed that everything is already God, and that we (as humans) are on a journey to that realisation.....yes?

So your referring to God as "He" is a little puzzling.

Yuyitsu, I find your thoughts far more confusing than Belly's!
We all know what is meant by religion, and I don't feel it is as relevant in today's world as it used to be.
Many want to believe in Gods, but I don't believe there are any Gods.
Is that plain enough?

Dear Poirot,

You couldn't summarize my view any better!

Thank you for pointing this out and please rest assured that I have no gender considerations in mind.
I simply use the English notion of a capital 'H' to indicate respect and reverence.

Note that "It", can be very misleading because it refers to objects (which God isn't):
perhaps I should instead use 'She' half the time?

Yuyutsu,

If I was you, I'd avoid gender references altogether. "It" can also refer to other more nebulous ideological/psychological entities...but maybe there is another designation just waiting to be thought of - a bit of a challenge for you perhaps : )

Y! Gday bloke can I say your self confidence is sadly miss placed.
I graduated with the highest levels,in GBR and MBC.
Garbage bin removal, and Milk Bottle Collecting.
In a school of at its smallest 13, got honorable mention for drawing a nude girl during scriptures.
Now that smarmy put the other bloke down, pretend I do not understand.
Is clear evidence, education is wasted on some.
Over my shoulder ABC news is reporting Gaza.
And tells us the hundred plus deaths so far, an awful toll, is not being morned as much.
Because Martyrdom is respected over there.
Sad is it not, deaths for a God, any God, all Gods, who never existed.
Took the wheely bin up , did it very well.
No milk bottles now, but as a lad the teacher picked me to collect them.
Said it kept me out of the class longer.