This is a really interesting post. I’ve had similar questions (I’m a Christian still). This one and “Why does a good/powerful/loving God allow human suffering on the scale currently extant in the world?” are two of the more troubling questions I think about.

I wrote a book about this, too, which just came out recently. I was amazed that a Christian publisher was interested. But it turns out a lot of people wrestle with these questions, even in the church.

Anyway, thanks for the post.

Matt

To me, imaginary friends are imaginary beings we create ourselves that isn’t a physical being but we feel that he/she/it exists. It is usually created when we are lonely and in need of companion, which occurs quite often in children. But that doesn’t say they occur only in children–older people can have them as well (who psychologists sometimes label them as having a mental disorder). We think only children creates them because they are usually the most prone to loneliness and in need of support.

And I also think that we shouldn’t pave the way for our children, but rather they should make their own. This means they can think for themselves and it also helps bring fresh, new ideas. That is very important to progress and innovation.

I was raised Buddhist, but I have little care for the religion. My country is far too dogmatic and shortsighted to realize that making laws not to insult the ‘main religion’ (which should be Hinduism, not Bhuddhism) of Thailand may limit innovation, development and creativity.

I can see why you think Jesus and an imaginary friend are the same, because you cant see the person but you feel as if they are right there for you. But they are different. Jesus is the son of God, and an imaginary friend is someone that a child makes up when the do not have anyone around. As for an imaginary friend when I child gets older they do not talk or think about their once imaginary friend. If a child is brought up in a church, they may leave and go away from the church, but when times get rough they will go back. Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.Jesus is may not be physically, but he is always there… the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6. All you have to do is call on him and he will be there in the midst. He may not be there when you are want him but Jesus will be the one time.