I believe in God Who is "I AM WHO AM" of Exodus 3:14. It is the term Christ designated Himself when He told the Jews of His existence before Abraham was born, who had died 20 centuries previous to that occasion. "I AM WHO AM" is the most exact and comprehensive name of God, Eternal, Self Existent, Infinite, without beginning and without end, or change, and the source of all other beings. You might be correct in saying we don't believe in the same God because the "I AM WHO AM" of Exodus does not fit what you wrote above especialy the part I highlighted.
Actually, I AM WHO I AM fits perfectly with the parts you highlighted. But it doesn't fit with a god who is a terrible designer. If there is only one god then surely that god must be perfect as a designer and good.
But your god, you claim, created, personally, human beings who come with terrible design faults. Your god is either a bad designer or evil (or both).
My god is perfect and good. Your god is not.
One of my best friends and mentor, a man in his mid 80s, is now travelling in Ireland, his home country. He delights in attending Catholic Mass there. Last I heard, Ireland has held firm in rejecting abortion and staying away from the EU...is that correct?
Most of Europe rejects abortions. Some countries reject them totally, some reject them after the first trimester (most notably Germany).
Ireland has been a member of the EU since the 70s and we use the Euro currency.
Catholic mass in Ireland is an experience he wouldn't want to miss.
But understand that Ireland teaches evolution and that the Catholic Church, who own most of the public schools here, is at the forefront of doing so. The Protestant Church of Ireland, who own most of the remaining public schools, also teaches evolution. I live in a Protestant neighbourhood, but there is a Catholic school down the road.
Ireland is very Catholic and Irish Catholicism is a part of this country.
But it bears almost no similarity to the religion you apparently follow, which, to me, seems closer to American evangelicalism except without the love for G-d's chosen people and the openness for research.
In Ireland Catholicism is a symbol of standing up against the establishment and of preserving one's heritage.
And it is so much a part of Irish culture that it is being made fun of. (This is from Ireland's favourite television show.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbkz_QE38pw
Many people outside Ireland don't find it funny. But Irish Catholics do.
