tate the operation of a
deity. The order manifest in the universe is the necessary consequence
of the persistence of force. If a supernatural, intelligent force
existed, the Martian believes that the claims of the theist could in no
way be better substantiated than if this controlling force would in some
way manifest an inhibitive influence and prevent certain things
occurring which would have transpired but for his interference. Such
manifestations have not occurred. It is impossible for the theist to
show any instance in which the normal consequences of known forces did
not transpire in which the aberration could not be accounted for by the
operation of other known forces.

A "law" of nature is not a statute drawn up by a legislator; it is the
interpretation and the summation which we give to the observed facts.
The phenomena which we observe do not act in a particular manner because
there is a law; but we state the "law" because they act in that
particular manner. It cannot be said that the laws of nature are the
result of a lawmaker; it cannot be affirmed that a supreme intelligence
told things in nature to act just that way and no other. If the theist
claims that a supreme intelligence issued laws for his own pleasure and
without any reason, then he must admit that there is something which is
not subject to law and the train of natural law is interrupted. If it is
claimed that a supreme intelligence had a reason for the laws which he
gave, the reason being to create the best possible universe, then it
follows that God himself was subject to law and there is no advantage in
introducing God as an intermediary. This contention would make it appear
that there is a law outside and anterior to the divine edicts, and God
does not serve the purpose of the theist since he is not the ultimate
lawgiver.

The anthropomorphic conception of God, our Martian finds, is now denied
by most cultured theists; nevertheless, they still maintain a belief in
a deity endowed with consciousness. Professor H. N. Wieman states that,
"God is superhuman, but not supernatural. He is a present, potent,
operative, observable reality.... He is more worthy of love than any
other beloved ... He is one to whom men can pray and do pray, and who
answers prayer." This can be understood to be not greatly removed from
the fundamentalists' conception of God, but when he continues to say,
"God is that interaction between individuals, groups, and ages which