Why there's a God

My daughter is going through that 'Why?' phase. Anyone who's spent any time with a three or four year old will know it well.

"Why is it raining, Dad?"

"So the trees can have a drink."

"Why do the trees need a drink?"

"So they can grow."

"Why do they need to grow?"

Think it's cute? Try it out on your friends for several hours a day...

... every day...

... week after week...

... wear a kevlar vest.

Sometimes she tries a variation.

"Dad, you know when a bird is in an egg and gets out and then flies away?"

"Yes."

"Why does that happen?"

But, let's get back to the trees.

"Why do trees need to grow?"

"So they can be a house for the birds."

"Why are there birds?"

At this point I usually answer, "Because that's the way it is."

Some parents opt for the rather more imperial, "Because I said so."

Neither of these really satisfy the curiosity of a three year old though. This is were some genius several millenia ago came up with the classic answer that invented religion:

"Because God made it that way."