Cheers to you too, Brian, I must admit, I do not really know what a nano particle is either. I am told they exist just as atoms do. My point is that they are invisible to the eye; we cannot see them, yet we believe. If modern man can believe in nano particles and black holes without seeing them, then why not a Creator? I don't think that is too much of a stretch . If it is indeed rational to believe in things that science offers as theoretical ie. black holes, then why not God?I believe you do have eternal life as a spiritual being, if you ask God into your heart you can gain that peace. Further, some branches of Christianity do not believe either birth control or homosexuality is wrong, as in the Anglican church, for example. I am glad you see the "beauty in nature" and the "beauty and genius in human design". Since we are made in His image, you are really seeing God in mankind. That is a good place to find Him! Peace and love to you and keep searching!

Actually no, my goal is not for a God to appear to me or for a god to exist. What I want is to not die. If there is a realm or eternal pleasant life I do not want to deny it to myself. If there is a being as the one described by Christianity or your vague personal theology, I want that too.

If it is all nonsense I want people to stop wasting their time with it and telling people things like birth control is wrong and homosexuality is intrinsically disordered.

I have no idea what you mean by a nano particle, but I know what an atom is and I don't believe in them because I decide to. We don't decide what we believe we are convinced by evidence. As much as I may want a benevolent creator that will reunite me with my dead dog, I can't just "decide" that it is true and start believing it. I am convinced by evidence and rational argument. If you have one, lets hear it!

I don't see design or genius in the complexity of the natural world. I see plenty of beauty in nature and plenty of genius and beauty in human design. Cheers.

Hi Brian, I understand that you want God or Jesus to appear to you personally...we all do.Some Christians claim to have had this experience; but, for the majority of people it is a matter of faith. You see, my God isn't just Catholic, He is universally available to all who want to spiritually hear or see Him. Yes, your eternal soul is important to Him, just as everyones soul is. The fact that you seem to believe that you have a soul suggests to me that you do ackowledge the spiritual aspect of your humanity. If we are disconnected from God through lack of trust or belief, He really cannot appear to us in our daily life. He gave us free will so, it is really up to you. If I don't believe in an atom, or a nano particle merely because I have not seen it this does not mean, ipso facto, that they do not exist as the building blocks of the universe. They will continue to exist and operate with or without your acknowledgement. God (the Creator) is the same. I appreciate your struggle and your want to be a rational thinker .I think there is a logical argument for God. We are both spiritual and rational beings.Hence your noble quest for God's existence.Hopefully, the fact that the world (and its creatures) have such exquisite beauty, symmetry, intricacy and mystery, this observation can suffice to be an answer to you. I pray that an understanding of the universal unseen Hand of the Creator will be kindled in you, as it has been, in many previously non-believing scientists, who found God through their deep studies of nature and the universe. They were surprised to discover Him in the amazing genius of the design and complexity of our natural world. I hope you will too.God bless and good luck on your God quest!

I don't know what you mean by "felt", but I would certainly been inspired, guided and I have intuitions.

Could be, could also just be perfectly naturalistic aspects of the human experience.

Believe? Believe in what and why?

I don't know what you mean by "God" but if the God of Catholicism wants a relationship he should just introduce himself and not use metaphors at all. My eternal soul is an important thing. If he exists he can do better and why wouldn't he?

If such a deity exists I would welcome him. But it would be a disservice to the intellect he provided me with to accept his existence without him providing sufficient evidence that he even exists at all.

Dear Brian Green Adams, Have you ever felt inspiration, guidance or intuition? If it was for your good, the good of others or the "greater good ", then you may not have realized that God was at your "door", which is an ancient metaphor for ear. Any of those states of listening and guidance is spiritual discernment. God is at your side and He has heard you...believe!

Hello Brian,

You might want to actually study Catholic Teaching before you criticize it.

You said:

The King James was written by humans not messengers of god. And the catholic church has a habit of using the NEW King James in their teachings.

False. The King James is a Protestant bible which is famous or notorious for all its errors. It is not used by Catholics except when we talk to Protestants.

I personally think you'd be better off following Buddhism because it teaches a lot of points and life values that all start with your way of thinking.

I did study Buddhism. And you're right that its got many good teachings.

1. But ultimately, its flawed because its an atheistic philosophy. God exists Brian. Whether anyone likes it or not.

2. And the Teachings of Jesus Christ are superior.

Its a really hard subject. Everything exists in God, but God is not part of anything. There's a really good and simple explanation here.

John Romano • 4 months ago

How is a God that is "being itself" compatible with the God of the Old Testament?

That is the Name He revealed to Moses:

Exodus 3:14New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”[a] He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

For example, God is said to have literally walked with Adam and Eve and physically wrestled Jacob.

If such accounts are meant to be taken figuratively, then does that apply to all of the Old Testament?

All of Scripture contains some accounts which should be taken figuratively and some which should be taken literally.

The accounts of God walking with Adam and wrestling with Jacob, I believe, are literal.

1. They are prefigurings of God's revelation that He is a Trinitarian God.
2. Note that He appeared as THREE men to Abraham in Genesis 18.
3. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. Time and space are no hindrance to Him. He can appear as a man while simultaneously holding all of existence together.

I do not mean to be snarky, this is simply a question that has been on my mind for some time as I have followed Father Barron's work.

Good question. I hope I was of some help.

REGARDS