"We argue about a god we've never seen, but never fails to side with me," sing the Primitive Radio Gods in Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth. Think about it. In light of world affairs, many things we used to hum along to mindlessly have taken on new meaning. Perhaps we begin reflecting on things we hadn't before.

Is there a god? If so, what is this god like? What kind of god would let us confront such unspeakable tragedy? Whose side is God on? Do we ever find it strange that no matter where people stand they claim that God is backing their cause? They know that they are right -- whether they be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or any other religion. Each fancies itself to be in possession of some "irrefutable proof" of their favored status. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? It should.

My little brother, Jim, a college freshman, recently had to write an essay for his philosophy class. The assignment was to define God. (Side note: He's actually my little sister's boyfriend. It's just easier to call him my little brother. I tell her she found the last decent guy there is. If they ever break up, I will just have to start referring to him as . . . my boyfriend. But I digress.)

Jim read me his essay. He then related the class discussion that ensued. He felt like his professor, a self-proclaimed atheist, was pandering to the atheist and agnostic students in the class. Jim, who believes in God, was made to feel somehow intellectually inferior. Welcome to the club, kid.

We live in a nation where the motto is "In God We Trust." God is found in our pledge of allegiance, on our currency, and woven throughout the fabric of our country. Yet, those who express a belief in Him are sometimes berated or dismissed altogether. Pretty inconsistent, don't you think? Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "A God who let us prove His existence would be an idol."

The fact of the matter is, I cannot offer you any form of scientific fact that will prove, beyond any doubt, the existence of God. If you don't believe, convincing you would take more than the space allowed here. Perhaps you think yourself too educated for such a concept. Or, maybe you are not educated enough. Just something to think about.

I do not choose to debate God's existence and definition. Actually, I find that kind of debate mentally and emotionally exhausting. I have seen religion, and the differences thereof, divide families, tear lovers apart and jeopardize friendships. Now we watch as war is waged and divine justification claimed.

All I can offer you is my perspective, for whatever it may be worth. I believe in God. The Primitive Radio Gods aside, I don't think God always sides with me. If He did, that would mean I was perfect, and I'm not. As a child, I was raised to believe in God. As an adult, I continue to believe -- for a variety of reasons. Preserving my sanity in times such as these is only one of them. Humans have and exercise free will. We are in the mess we are in because we got ourselves there, period.

But somewhere, beyond the fray, there is a force that will guide us back to rightness if we choose to let It. The logic of opposites says so. For all the hate, there is love. For all the chaos, there is calm. For all the terror, there is mercy. For all the war, there is peace. I believe that there must be something greater than me, you, or any human being. We are superior beings, but not supreme beings. We are fallible. There must be something infallible to balance the scale. We are imperfect. Therefore, perfection must exist. If these things are not true then, to be blunt, we're all screwed. We may as well throw in the towel.

For all that is negative, there is a positive. For all that is senseless, there is sense. For all those who do not believe, there are those who do. Someday, we may all know whether God exists and whose "side" He is on. Until that time, we have a choice to make. Do we believe or don't we? Do we rely solely on the merits of scientific explanation or do we see the merits which also exist in faith? I, for my part, choose to have faith.