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When McClosky talks about evil and uses the notion that Atheist are justified in their belief ina nonexistent God, we are confronted with the meaning of evil and its place in our world. Thefact of suffering misfortune and wrongdoing as a source of sorrow, distress or calamity

in my heart and mind does not clarify the nonexistence of God. Was what happened to Einsteinand many hundreds of thousands of Jews evil? Yes. There is no question of the existence of evilin the gas chambers used to kill the Jewish men, women and children simply because of their faith. The pain suffered by those and many others in history due to discrimination and the forcesof evil are heart wrenching and sad. The idea that one person has the "right" to decide for another is unjust and evil in itself. Therefore, one could conclude the Atheist himself displays the verytraits of which he criticizes others for, the human factor and the struggle between good and evilthat rest within each of us.

Mr. Mcclosky uses the example of a child with meningitis who suffers a permanent impairmentfor the rest of her life. Would he then speak to the person or to the mother of the child to confirmfaith in God? Having worked in a hospital with ill children and having seen the overwhelming

power of prayer, this reader questions the legitimacy of the author's example in terms of faith andGod. Just as McClosky argues against the existence, so can we not use the opposite approach for the existence and be on equal moral ground? Perhaps, McClosky is the father of the childdescribed in the article and could we not then assume he is bitter or grieving? Then the argumentwould make sense. Without the human factor of love and compassion, we could concludenothing. Assuming he is not, the father of the child the argument becomes vain and shallowresulting in little more than an attempt to slander and disrespect ones faith in God.

A Nobel laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, when given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 wasdescribed as "having a great reverence for all things living and upon the concept of universalresponsibility embracing all mankind as well as nature". The Dalai Lama takes a common senseapproach to the idea of suffering in the world and the consideration of our own beliefs in

relationship to each other. He so eloquently writes," There is no denying that our happiness isinextricably bound up with the happiness of others There is no denying that if society suffers weourselves suffer. Nor is there any denying that the more our hearts and minds are afflicted withill will the more miserable we become. Thus we can reject everything else: religion, ideology, allreceived wisdom, But cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion."

The times we live in are tough and we are better than we think we are often. Doing what isright is the moral dilemma we all face on a moment to daily basis. We all have the capacity toempathize with another. What a person chooses to believe in is a personal decision. In thiswriters mind it should not be dictated by another or a government or any institution that seeks to

be fair and just.

The most important issue for this writer is the right to choose what we believe. Some people canread Confucius others St Paul, and then find the same universal truths written by both. Organizedreligion is an easy target when arguing for the Atheistic view and the non-existence of God.History has shown the power exuded by the church has been devastating repeatedly. Theoverlying decision to believe in God or not to believe is a very private and personal decision. Noone should dictate to another, what the truth is, but the truth should stand and will stand on itsown. The beauty in the smallest parts of nature, like a flower or a songbird, is proof enoughcreation is a mystery. The stars, the galaxies, and the vast sky are overwhelmingly seductive to

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those who question a creator as they search for an explanation to it all. There is a time in the lifeof all those who seek these answers when they are confused or perhaps even angry at theinjustice in the world. Blame, anger or any bitterness does not serve us well. There are somequestions cannot be answered with simple words or theories. The things we value most are whatare important. Thank God, we live in a country founded on religious freedom. We have the right

to choose how we worship God, and if we worship God.Mr. McClosky does not present a convincing argument against the existence of God for this

reader. There are many compelling reasons to question the existence of God but not stand toreason in the article presented. Perhaps he is bitter, or angry, perhaps he is playing the devil'sadvocate to stir the minds and hearts of the reader. Either way he is unconvincing in his exampleof evil and the parody of a child terminal illness. Perhaps he would do better to take a more Zenapproach and talk about the difference between rights and wrong and why we do the things wedo. In the defense of the Atheist view, articles and books have surfaced. Having read several andactually enjoyed them, this article left a bittersweet sadness for the writer McClosky.

For the Christian, prayer would be the remedy for McClosky, however, for the Buddhist,acceptance and forgiveness. Who is say what is the correct or true resolution. The truth is oftenillusive in the eyes and heart of men, but there is one, who knows. We can choose to believe Hecame to the world in the form of a man to redeem the world for sin and salvation everlasting. Allwe have to do is believe. A simple plan and promise not yet fulfilled in this lifetime. Do weknow what lies after death? No, not until that time comes. Each of us will have different paths onthe journey for the truth. Some of us will arrive at the same conclusions perhaps but one willnever really know.

The story of creation told to me as a child for comfort. It made sense. It continues to makesense. To believe or not to believe lies in the mind and heart of the individual. The beauty of thislifetime is that some questions do not require an answer but rather rest in the comfort that the

possibility exist. Life is difficult at times and evil does indeed exist. The longer one lives possibly the more knowledge can be gained, yet some things do not require education they justare what they are, the truth. This reader mind made up. I will continue to pray for theunbelievers. What is the truth?