I'm in awe of the universe, but I don't necessarily believe there's an intelligence or agent behind it. I do have a passion for the visual in religious rituals, though, even though they may be completely empty and bereft of substance. The incense is powerful and provocative, whether Buddhist or Catholic.

Idol worship" is so deeply ingrained in the human brain synapses that it would be almost impossible to be bereft of it. And in absence of an external icon we are always going to look for it inside us. In fact, in many regions of the world this process is already in progress resulting in the pandemic of "self-admiration" and "self-deification" of our modern times.

"What would the world be, once bereft

Wisdom and riches are not always synonymous. There are instances of 'rich but foolish' and 'poor but wise'. Solomon's riches did not result from his wisdom; he was blessed riches also. The wisest of all men was poor. He was poor enough to obtain a coin from someone in his audience (without ridicule) to postulate the famous quote, "give Caesar's things to Caesar ..." Next time you ridicule a poor man's suggestion as bereft of wisdom, think twice. What he may be bereft of is the opportunity or sterner stuff it requires to convert it to cash.

I'm in awe of the universe but I don't necessarily believe there's an intelligence or agent behind it. I do have a passion for the visual in religious rituals though even though they may be completely empty and bereft of substance. The incense is powerful and provocative whether Buddhist or Catholic.