Ever since some person first asked, "What is God", another person has been compelled to attempt to explain. This is a good intention, but, at best, imperfect, and likely to be interpreted badly. One could suggest that God is the stuff that makes the world go 'round, natural forces, energy, the very existence of this universe. God can be found in the song of a bird or the castings of a worm. God is within and without you. God is a big turtle that carries the world on its back. God is the wind, the rain and all the elemental forces. God is a white bearded Jewish guy in the sky, that demands your best cow.
Understanding is commensurate with knowledge and an open heart.
What about a stubbed toe, or getting killed in battle?
This is a tough one to explain to someone who believes that God has singled them out for punishment, because, in a way it's possible. All things in the universe are a consequence of it's creation, therefore our thoughts and feelings are also a part of this force/energy that set it all in motion. Fear and conceit must be considered to be a part of it all, even if it's simply a childish reaction to events not being what we expected.
Like now. I am sitting out on the balcony, enjoying a comfortable, sunny morning. The sky is blue, it's 75 degrees with a feather light breeze, and I am comfortably sitting in the shade with this laptop on my lap. I could be upset with the noisy monkeys who disturb God's natural symphony with their incessant loud vocalizations and irritating machines. I could weep and gnash and rend my garments while beseeching God to relieve my suffering, as if God was singling me out for punishment.
This may sound silly and stupid, but there are millions of people who believe that's the way God works.
Just because I don't envision God as an angry man in the sky, with a rigid set of rules that include constant petitioning and groveling, doesn't invalidate that concept. It does indicate a deficiency of information and the resulting limited comprehension that is required to accept that manner of behavior, but it seems to provide solace for those who lack a deeper understanding. The danger is that they are easily fleeced and led to slaughter by unscrupulous charlatans.
If you knew nothing about agriculture, and this was part of your tribes rituals, you would do this to avoid starving or incurring the wrath of the other villagers.
It has been explained that God created all things, including us humans, but what we do with all this, is up to us, (Free will). That is a simple and accurate explanation, but confusing to the ignorant and unenlightened.
What ever one calls it, or defines it, I thank God for this awareness that is me in this universe.
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