I believe that we all have our own kind of relationship to the Universe and all the Powers That Be, and I think that's good. God doesn't have to be the same thing for you that "he" is for me. I think we all see aspects, only partial glimpses, of a reality that is far too great to grasp. And I think our interpretations and understandings of that Truth are colored by our views of the world, and ourselves.

For me (as an example), growing up with the idea that God was a white male just felt too much like an exclusion of females, non-whites, non-Christians, and non-humans.

The Creator, to me, by definition encompasses all forms of life, and all possibility. It just doesn't make any sense the that the Creator of all has to be confined by the concept of gender. I also think it makes no sense that the Creator would be exclusively human. My T always says she thinks it would be quite an awakening if some of the "god-fearing" people she has known who are cruel to animals and consider themselves somehow superior to them, sit at the final judgement and learn that God is a deer.

I find that thought funny... although I don't believe in a final judgment, or any judgment for that matter.

I mean, I do believe there are some things that just aren't good to do. But I don't necessarily believe there is really "justice"- that someday we will all have to pay for our mistakes. I think we all pay for our choices in one way or another, on an on-going basis. What we do affects our spirits. And I don't think that's meant to be a punishment, it's just what happens when we make choices, but if "punishment" is needed, then I think that is punishment enough. Wherever you go, there you are... and you have to live with yourself. Am I making any sense?

I have more thoughts I would like to send out there later...