Putting the fear of death to the side, (no small task) does anyone think it possible that part of the anger over conflicting “God-models” is because the human mind runs the image of God with energy directly tied to the ego and self-consciousness? Sort of a case of “Prick my God, prick my ego?” Could you even find a way to insult a Zen master or a Sufi mystic? They would probably welcome it.

NO

Yes, the god of the ego is why the religious get all defensive over their 'god-models'.

Ego is also the reason why people tend to view many issues in a black and white manner. I.e. since they have invested their ego in X, X is viewed as being better then it really is and Y (what is NOT X) is viewed as being worst then it really is.

This common ego trip was on full display in the HRC \ Obama election battle.

This ego trip is the main reason I'm working hard to be more agnostic in all areas of my life. e.g. who was the better Beatle, John or Paul - answer = depends!

There is only one answer to that and that is John. Ego is our way of being. We can use it as we will???? best we have a sense of humor!!!

Yes it is best we have a sense of humor and I can laugh at your bogus POV that John is the only answer. Yes, John wrote better lyrics but his music (chord progressions, use of harmony) was weak when compared to Paul.

Anyhow, a sense of humor is fine but in many areas, like religion, there is no sense of humor in the true believers. e.g. muslims that kill over a cartoon, or christians trying to ensure same-sex-marriage never sees the light of day.

Frankly I fail to see the humor in their ego driven actions.

But really, you don't know shit about music!

Good point about John and Paul jazz guitarist and I speak as one who remembers well the world before the Beatles. You do not give the impression of one who suffers fools for any space of time, yet as I state in the question, we should forgive somewhat the ego its fear of death. As the hominid brain evolved two immediate phenomena leaped up like angry ghosts: death and dreams. Once the hominid mind began to do imaging of things unseen, that’s when the trouble started. Our intrepid caveman or cavewoman woke up one morning and asked: “I seemed to float over the valley last night; where was I?” No answer. Then they looked over at their cave mate who had died in his or her sleep and asked two questions, the first giving birth immediately to the second: “My friend was here last night; where did they go? Will I go there next?” You can follow that line of reasoning all the way to James Dobson. So when a Christian pushes too much energy toward those of us on other paths, we must allow for the ego which along with its other assigned tasks in the psyche is keeping the terror of death at bay. Enjoy the music and agnosticism. I have a good friend who swears to God she’s an atheist.

I have a good friend who swears to God she’s an atheist.

When people ask me what I think about Astrology, I reply "I'm a Virgo, and we're too rational to believe that crap".

Ah, yes! Virgo Sun; Libra Ascendant; Taurus Moon here. Practical, but loving, at the core, what you see of me can be as beautiful but as cold as metal and I will go out of balance just to stay in balance, and in my emotions (moon)...I possess; stay out of the pasture I call my universe and my internal female is a real you know what! Isn’t Astrology the most delightfully fun of all the utter nonsenses?

A girlfriend of mine from college got her Ph.D. in Psych and went on to develop what she called an astrological approach to psychoanalysis; she ended up (last I heard, which was long ago and far away) with the Tibetan Buddhists out in Boulder, CO having change one mythos for another.

Tarot, astrology, the Bible, the Vedas, the T'ang and Sung poets, Shakespeare, Dr. Strange (Steve Ditko's version) - so long as you don't mistake the map for the territory, there's a lot to be learned from a well-crafted metaphor.

Sigh.

Go for the Myers Briggs if you reallly need to get some handle on a person.

INTJ here.

Ahoy Captain! I've spotted another metaphor off the starboard bow - the spout looks like a Myers-Briggs and it's a big'un!! ENFJ

So...we've got a mad scientist and a used car salesman.

Who else?

Been a long time -- I don't even recall what the specific scores mean.

Me neither - but what I'd really like to know is what it'll take to put you behind the wheel of this mint condition late model Studebaker!

. . . were any stronger; I'd have to concede on harmonies, but then, Paul was a singer. Of course he'd write good harmonies.

Rock music is largely about ideas, though, so you can't really dismiss John's lyricism, or his love of dissonance, which would go on to influence bands like Big Star, who in turn would play a huge role in the early years of punk and postpunk.

Ah, fuck it. The correct answer is GEORGE. Cretins. ;^)