Support for ‘Childish’ Comprehension of God

“Childhood Image of God Prevails Among Adults, Authors Say” (March 5) laments the lack of religious growth from childhood to adulthood by most of the public. A few examples of childish comprehension of God are given, and are then followed by “smart ways to think of God.” These “smart ways” include the belief that God is very smart, God has limitation in the extent that he can make our lives perfect, God says that we are immortal and other similar remarks.

Try as I might, I do not find the “smart ways” superior to the childish ways. Both approaches use the anthropomorphic approach in discussing God in the same manner that children think of Superman. The only approach in describing God that can be acceptable to mature minds is when God is described on the supernatural level, possessing no human attributes.

This approach removes the human quality from God, bestows it upon a human being where it belongs, and at the same time elevates the quality to a Godly level. Thus anthropomorphism is eliminated and replaced by the supernatural.

DAVID KINIGSBERG

Los Angeles