Rory, in your example, aren't you really saying that "all that we see or seem" comes down to science? Sure, a science far more advanced than what we've been able to master (so far), but still, just science.

Let's face it. You either believe in God or you don't. Since neither point of view can be proven or dis-proven within the scope of our (current) understanding, we can only rely on blind faith that the 'fairy tales' that our parents told us are true, OR, what our senses and intellect are capable of understanding. Religion has a function and a purpose, no doubt about it; but IMO, that function is not to educate or inform, but to substitute fiction for the pursuit of real scientific explanations for the things we are not yet able to understand. If 'all will be made known to us' after we get to heaven, then we'd better arrive in heaven with a much bigger IQ than what we left earth with. I can just picture God trying to explain the physics of time travel or the concept of infinity to my wife. I think you might see some God-size frustration .

Maybe worship is just super admiration, but why then do most of the major religions hint at dire consequences if you don't. In your 'favorite organist' example, what if Joe Blow doesn't really care for Jimmy Smith? Should I insist that he like Jimmy? Should I insist that EVERYBODY like Jimmy? Should I slaughter a few goats in his honor? How about a few million people? Should I tell all the little kids that the only way to Carnegie Hall is through Jimmy Smith (okay, now I'm getting a little silly ).

When we travel as far as we can go, when we reach the edge of the universe, what's on the other side? What is infinity, what is nothingness? I really want to know, not just explained away with gobbledegook. We now know that 'love' between two people has more to do with the science of chemistry than anything else. That's a start. Let's build on that. BTW, I AM starting to get the hang of infinity. A good example would be a debate on the existence of God .

There are so many things in the Bible that are downright amusing. Take the Virgin Birth for instance. Think that story would 'fly' in 2010? First of all, how many married women are virgins? And God, master of the Universe (and beyond, wherever that is) which (according to Stephen Hawking) contains approximately 180 billion galaxies, came down to this speck of dust (planet earth) and zeroed in on a single (married) female to mate with with the express purpose of sacrificing him to the locals so we wouldn't have to pay for our 'sins'. Wow, even Gene Roddenberry couldn't make that one up. Gotta give the church credit though, they're imaginative if nothing else. Is this blasphemy? Well, no, only if you believe. I don't. BUT, I do respect your right to believe whatever you like, as long as you don't insist that I have to do the same.

chas