in spite of all of the problems associated with theism, there is a manner of conceiving divinity which can be of great benefit to humanity. when deity is equated with humanity, when striving to better human race is accepted as the same as service to god, the concept of god becomes a powerful force for good. god in this sense becomes a symbol of what people, both individually and collectively, can become. this concept is deeply embedded in at least two of the world’s major religions: in the 25th chapter of the gospel of matthew, jesus says that “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” gautama buddha taught that buddhahood is in every man and woman and that enlightenment can be achieved by any sentient being without the necessity of turning to outside supernatural aid or any human or non-human intermediary.

the concept of god is deeply embedded in our collective psyche. divine language permeates our language, our legal system, our holidays, our customs, our culture, our interpersonal relations. rather than ousting deity altogether, perhaps god can still serve a useful purpose in our lives. maybe millenia of cultural baggage associated with god can be shed: god as creator, god as father, god as judge and punsher, etc. the concept of god can be sanded down, chipped away, lacquered and polished until only the shiny core representing humanity remained. this god could exist in a secular, human, atheistic world, as a symbol not of the supernatural, but the natural. this god could stand as a symbol of all that is good in humanity. this god would represent humanity. this god would be humanity.

god is not unknowable. to quote heinlein’s martian-born messiah, michael valentine smith: “thou art god.”