Many views on a single deity

Re “Multiple-choice God,” editorial, Sept. 17

The survey results on God’s attributes, provided by the John M. Templeton Foundation and Baylor University, offer a multiple-choice selection of only four attributes: authoritarian, benevolent, critical and distant. The option missing was “All of the above.” Trying to define God the infinite with the finite human intellect is like pouring a trillion pounds of sugar into a one-pound bag.

AKHTAR H. EMON

Rancho Palos Verdes

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The Times editorial states that 85% to 90% of Americans say they believe in God. This means that 10% to 15% of Americans are nonbelievers, atheists or agnostics. The conception of God the survey labels D -- the Distant God, “ ‘a cosmic force which set the laws of nature in motion’ but has no interest in human activities” -- was endorsed by 24% of respondents. This conception sounds nicer than agnosticism but isn’t much different. Doing some arithmetic, the number of Americans who are nonbelievers, atheists or agnostics could be about 30%, according to this survey. This is approximately the percentage of the fundamentalists who currently run this country.

MARCEL GAWARTIN

Ladera Heights

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I am surprised that the survey of Americans who believe in God did not identify another conception of the deity: the cruel God. How else can you describe an all-powerful God who permits the occurrence of horrors such as tsunamis, earthquakes, plagues, droughts, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, genocide, wars and other pain and suffering that ultimately leads to death? Shakespeare said the gods “kill us for their sport.” He was right.

SYLVAN GOLLIN

Claremont