I’m not trying to be facetious, or deliberately irreverent. I’m just trying to make a point. Whether or not god exists is only the first question we should be asking. There are many questions that should be asked about god, to determine, at the very least, our relationship to him, she, them or it. We have a right to know.

As far as I know, no religion makes a serious attempt to systematically discuss these. Again, I’m not being flippant here, I really don’t know why religions don’t offer some sort of philosophical program to develop logical answers to these questions. Most just give you a set of rules to follow instructions, shut up and drive.

Most either tell us: “There are some things man was never meant to know” or “Seek in your heart and all will be revealed.” The best answer, I think, comes from Buddhism: “It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

The Checklist

Is there a god?

Is there only one?

Is he omniscient, eternal and omnipotent, or just some subset of those?

Is he still around, or is he gone, dead, asleep, on vacation, or working on some other project?

Does he even know we’re here?

If he does, does he really care about us?

Is he divine, or just an exceedingly powerful being?

Does the previous question really even make any sense?

Did he create the laws of nature?

Does he have to obey the laws of nature?

Does he demand our worship and praise?

If so, why?

Does he deserve our worship or praise?

Did he create the universe, or does he just manage it?

Can he build a house he cannot tear down? (DANGER! PARADOX ALERT)

Feel free to add your own…