Those that are looking for a god in the sky will never find one. Those that look for high moral character, actions that enhance life, and avoid socially destructive behaviour, and listen to wisdom will find the spirit of the the expression of God revealed. God is not a physical being or spatial reality, for God is defined by the reality of holy character, actions that enhance the weak, and wisdom that gives meaning to life. God is spirit; not a spirit. As Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, the life"; no one approaches God without coming that way. What he was speaking of was the character, actions and wisdom that defined his relationship to God.

Josephus,

Nicely put. Merry Chritmas to you and all here.

Thanks George, A merry Christmas also to you.
Secularism can only accept physical reality and define it by test tube analysis. Secular or defined by a physical universe. Secular cannot define the ultimate philosophy of reality of Why. to secularists humans are merely evolved animals, they can only define the body, when as we know the body is only a vehicle borrowed from the living earth, while our real being is our character, our actions and wisdom; ether good or evil. It is in this reality that God is revealed incarnate. Christmas reminds us that became incarnate in the life and mission of Jesus, to bring persons lost to a relationship with God. That means a denial of selfish passions for the enhancement of others lost and vulnerable.

Dear Suse,

I think that we understand each other very well.
There's nothing more that needs to be said
except to wish everyone a very Happy Festive Season
and a Healthy, and Safe New Year.

Thanks Foxy, I agree.
You have a wonderful Christmas too.

And to everyone else, whether you worship a God or not, have a lovely Christmas Day with your families and friends.

Cheers,
Suse.

Foxy,

This paper might be of some interest,

http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mageespaper.pdf

Suseonline, "and yet, in over 30 years of being with people before, during and after their death, I have never seen nor heard any spirit!"

Have you detected any difference in how the dying and their loved ones approach their death?

I haven't had much experience with human death, but from volunteering some time with elderly people who have lived independent lives and would like to continue to do that for as long as possible, I would have to say that those with religious faith and who grasp the beauty of life and wake every day thankful (despite their pain and limitations) do seem to enjoy a state of grace. However there are some, invariably Roman Catholics, whose waking moments are filled with the fear put there by men who should never have become priests and in an organisation that has in the past been quite ruthless and could easily become so again.

I could have explained that better, but after not much sleep over the past weeks following an injury, I think I will leave it that way. The RC church remains a nightmare to some, maybe many.