I find it disrurbing how many of my fellow travelers in religion find themselves threatened or challenged by Mr Hitchens. He speaks in good faith, and bases his beliefs on his personal expiriences. He has not had the moment yet when he has heard God's voice. Are we all so weak to think it will not come? He's not a hater, and acts in good conscience- who are we to doubt his moment lies before him? As for debate, while it must be robust ( to stretch our souls and open the hearts of those earnestly seeking truth) remember why God allows no intellectual or scientific proof of His nature.

"...remember why God allows no intellectual or scientific proof of His nature. "

Why is that again?

Because there aren't enough pirates

You claim to know what God allows?

Hmm.

I believe in a God of the universe, maybe God is hydrogen, since we know that is all the universe started with; or nutrinos (they are in everything, moving all the time), I believe I am part of the universe and one of the things hydrogen atoms do -- but I make it a point never to claim I know what God allows other than with me, personally (and I doubt that, even).

My theory is that people who claim they know what God allows, and who justify things like evangelizing, judging others (Jesus said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged) etc. etc. are using God.

I don't believe anyone in authority, not just the government, but ANYONE, should EVER be allowed to cover what they do with the name of God...I think Thomas Jefferson and George Washington felt the same way.

candoxx:

I believe in a God of the universe, maybe God is hydrogen, since we know that is all the universe started with

Why would hydrogen care about the fate of the Israelites? Now tungsten, sure, I can see that. But hydrogen? No way.

Tungsten. So flippant aren't we?

It's pretzels, man. How do you think they got that shape?

You may be onto something with pretzels. If you read the book The Elegant Universe - Caleb-Yao space (which is what String theory operates in) when drawn in the book - looks a lot like a pretzel.....