Thanks for the thoughts, Danny.
I'm not so sure the thought is off topic, either. There's at least two issues working here. One of them is whether or not some entity we think of as "GOD" created the world, and the other is whether or not "GOD" has the individuality (that sounds weird, huh) and the consciousness we ascribe to "GOD'.
Let's say a conscious, individual Entity created the world. My first thought is to the separation implied with this idea. When I think of "GOD" I do actually use gender to give characteristic to an unknowable concept. I think of "Him", and I think of "Him" using a human sense of logic and reason. I think of the word "omnipotence" and infinity. On some level I am aware that a)these characteristics are only partially in line with Judeo-Christian theology; and b)that I do not actually believe in these characteristics. Still, I use them. They make things easier for me. And when I think of "GOD" in this way, I also ascribe to "Him" the joy a human feels when we mimic creation in small ways. Also, the image of something from nothing seems to work. There is a beginning. We therefore prophecy an end.
Let's say that GOD is a force, rather than a conscious entity. GOD is a law, or a purpose, or a morality. Creation now seems like it is only part of the story, and perhaps not even the beginning. Evolution makes sense, now, and evolution becomes a multi-dimensional concept, and one begins to think of "doors of perception" and "samsara", the holy ohm and season cycles. Beginnings and endings are only small places in such a concept.
Let's say, instead, a conscious, but non-individual entity created the world. I do not mean to blaspheme or offend. I do not mean zen unity or timelessness. I am referring to quantum possibilities. Look at our own consciousness. I used to work with individuals with traumatic brain injuries; many of them had damaged short-term memory processing. These people were people. Some of them had quirks like I have. They have difficulties they need to meet head-on every day to live, difficulties I do not have. But I wonder: who are they?
Who are they, and who were they? Are they the same person? They are greatly changed. They are emotionally, mentally, socially, sexually, and physically different. Several of my clients retained their long-term memories, intact, intensified, even. How many individuals can fit in one head?
Prior to quantum physics, the scientific model of the universe showed such an incredible ratio of void to matter, with only minute subatomic particles demonstrating any mass. Well guess what? Quantum physics is showing that those particles may not have any mass either! Or, more accurately, these "particles" are really only "potentials".
Before I completely lose the section of this community who believes evolution is a populace control method proposed by the ultra-left, let me clarify what this means, and who is proposing this new model:
These things now commonly called subatomic particles, but conceived by quantum physicists to be potential particles, apparently only become fixed in time and space when the "observer" focuses on them. But these same scientists have not isolated the "observer". Who is the observer? The observer apparently does NOT reside in what we commonly label human consciousness, but somewhere else. Many theories have been suggested. But the one that I'm suggesting here is this:
The "observer" is "GOD". Yes, this proposal was suggested by a quantum physicist, and supported by more than one. I'm not sure I buy it, but the theory hypothesizes that we, humans, truly ARE creations of this "observer" and that any evolution is actually an evolution of thought, of perspective, which we as humans actually participate in. Not being a physicist myself, I cannot explain how "chicken or the egg" questions resolve themselves here. Again, I'll apologize to those noting my blasphemy, but I very much like to view the Christian notion of faith through this lens.
Close your eyes. What do you expect to see when you open them? Why? What if you expected something else? How much control do we have over what we expect? A Jewish thought: "Everything is in the hands of heaven, except the fear of heaven..." A Christian thought: "But by the grace of God...."
The Judeo-Christian system of beliefs requires this one step. Close your eyes again. Let yourself remember what love feels like, what peace feels like. Now before you open your eyes, imagine what you'd like to see. Now open them. What's missing?