Hi Chris. Thank you for responding. I guess we will have to agree to disagree to the extent that you obviously believe the debate about the existence of a creator is important and I do not. That is fine. I do believe that everyone is entitled to his or her opinions and beliefs. However, I do not understand your argument regrding redemption and recompense. Don't most of the great religious teachers stress the importance of forgiveness? If there is forgiveness, then reddemption and recompense are unnecessary.

I beleive that all our thoughts come from within our selves not from some outside source. I cannot prove that. I don't think it matters where they emanate from: it is how they cause us to behave that matters. If you believe that all thoughts are generated from an external source, is that not a cop out when it comes to 'bad' thoughts? You can blame 'the evil one' for them and claim redemption through 'God', or his agents, by doing penance. I firmly believe that we, as individuals, are responsible for our lown thoughts and actions.