The euthyphro dilemma.

[Watson]

Because I have seen nothing to suggest such. Furthermore, the concept of god is outside of the realm of what I consider possible. I like to spend my time pondering the real wonders of the universe, not the ones some sheep herder made up.

What if I told you that the two of us are pondering the same wonders, but that God is the line which 'connects-the-dots' more accurately, so to speak? And why does your not having seen anything to suggest such mean there is no God, or even lend credence to the idea that there is no God? Just because you have not seen something does not mean it does not exist or is not possible.

What is your concept of God, anyway? Why do you consider it outside your realm of possibility? Isn't that a bit close-minded? What if your concept of God is wrong?

It didn't take me five minutes to think that up.

It sure didn't take you a very long amount of time.

Furthermore, there is nothing else to research. What would you have me do, expand my understanding of the morals of Aesop's fables?

I would suggest you open your eyes a little wider, and observe the world around you a little more thoroughly. That is the best way to come to an understanding about God. There is evidence all around you, if only you will open yourself to experiencing it.

And yes, you do need to expand your understanding of fables. It would certainly help, because your current understanding is lacking.

I'm not capable of twisting a story so much as to render it unrecognizable for the sake of finding some moral that isn't there. I'll accept the one I see and then dismiss is it as crap. That's how I roll.

Well that's a very blind way to read a story, Shell B. When you read other books that actually serve as parables, do you simply read it for the story, or the underlying message as well? Similarly, do you just listen to music for what is spoken, or what is actually being said/the message that is being conveyed?

That's the point of reading in general.

The key phrase in your above statement is that it doesn't match with your understanding of god. That says a lot.

And my understanding of God is based on a thorough examination of the outside world around me. Do you take issue with that?

Perhaps that is what you glean from the story. My parents were cooler than god in that they used threats of making me get my own place instead of drowning me to get their point across. Even that was enough to make me move out straight out of high school.

God did not drown everyone on earth, and that is the point. Though He has the ability to do so because He is God, He has not yet and has been merciful thus far.

We should not take that gift for granted.

And just so you know, I've basically learned this by having my parents say the same thing to me about moving out right out of high school. I'm supposed to have a job or be in college within six months of turning eighteen, or I am out on my ass. because there is no reason that I shouldn't have one of those things in the given amount of time.

Do you understand the analogy?

None that would fit your understanding of god.

On the contrary. I have a feeling they'd fit right in.