Hi Javeca,

Do you mind sharing what personal experience convinces you of the existence of God? In answering it is understood such is not proof, as you say it is subjective. Francis Collins in his book talked a lot about observing patients, some terminally ill, being sustained by faith.

You mentioned the Nicene Creed as a faith definition. One of the things that struck me when I read the Quran (other than the repetition) was some rather blunt statements about Jesus and the nature of God. Contrast the Nicene Creed with these words:

O people of the Book! commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an Messenger of Allah and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One Allah: glory be to him: (for Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belongs all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. Sura 4 An-Nisa (Madina) Verse 171

When you consider these two statements of faith on what basis do you say the former is correct and latter incorrect? A couple points strike me about this: (1) How specific people are in their descriptions of the nature of God as if such knowledge is available. (2) I don't see any rational basis to select one over the other. Which leaves me with what seems the most simple: None of this is truly rooted in reality, but completely within the imagination of the humans involved.

Cheers,
-Randy