Hello, Jim. I suppose I will attempt to respond to these thoughts independently. Wishful about the intent, isn't wishful about the evidence. There is solid evidence that there is more than this physical life. That statement wasn't to negate you, your thoughts, or your beliefs. I just wanted to be clear, I am on the side of an afterlife, the continuance of consciousness after this body has terminated. I believe animals also have souls. I am kind of with the Native Americans, the rocks and the streams, everything has soul behind it. I written as much, and tried connecting my essays to sources I esteem.

Is it necessary to entertain such a structure? No. Lots of people do fine with no religion. Some folks who argue against spirituality and religions spend more time arguing against the thing than those who favor the idea spend celebrating it. :) That's kind of amusing, investing so much energy to try and convince what is it, 80 percent of the world's population that believe in something greater than themselves? One might as well try to get people to stop celebrating Christmas.

I think it's okay if humans are not consistent. We're human.

I like that you took time to read this, and to engage me, and so if you care to respond to this, I am curious about something. You took the time to read this. You actually considered it. And I mean, you fairly gave me your ear, and shared your thoughts with me. Would that be evidence for you have hope for something more? Were you just a little curious?

It doesn't have to be that. Maybe you are just a kind soul and were curious, and you wanted to engage me. If there nothing else to life than this very moment, I am seriously humbled you spent a moment of your time being present with me. That alone is worthy of domain of love. Thank you.