Lynn Mowery, a joke for you in terms I don’t agree with but which I hope you will understand. Jane dies and floats to the pearly gates where St. Peter offers her a tour of heaven. While exploring the premises they pass many groups of people. St. Peter explains that everyone here continues to praise God in whatever manner they praised on earth. One group is dancing, singing and praying. Jane asks St. Peter, Who are they?

He Replies, Those are the Jewish people.

They pass another group dancing in the moonlight and praising the wondrous phenomena of the seasons. Who are they? Jane asks.

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St. Peter replies, They are the Pagans.

After passing several more groups they come upon a very tall brick wall with only one tiny slot of window. St. Peter invites Jane to stand on her tip toes and peer in the window, but cautions her not to let the people on the other side see her. Inside she sees people sitting, kneeling in pews and praying fervently.

Jane asks, Who are these people? Why do they stay behind this brick wall?

St. Peter relies, Those are the born again Christians; they think they are the only ones here.

The great presence that creates and permeates every clod of soil, leaf, icicle, cow, human and even the snakes, is so extensive and overwhelming that it can be seen from many different perspectives. You choose to personify it as God and Jesus while others choose to see the part of the creative spirit that dwells within its creations. Yes, there is evil in the world, but I would ask everyone to look into themselves and accept the evil they do as their own responsibility instead of using the concept of Satan as a scapegoat.

Religious beliefs are of such a personal nature that everyone is going to have a different opinion on theological matters. You cannot say that you respect other people and yet condemn their beliefs. True respect means saying, I disagree with your beliefs but that does not mean I have the only right to answer.