If God knows everything, then we do not have free will. Why does he create people

[Freelancer]

17. Read up on child abuse and it reveals a lot about religion.

When authorities show up to check on child abuse reports, usually the parent that the children are clinging-to and fawning over is the abuser. Similarly, when people personalize an almost entirely impersonal Universe that has hurt them, they see it as an abusive parent that all love and devotion must be heaped upon in order to stay its punishing hand. This relationship makes sense to the pre-rational mind. It's foundational -- like a big stone at the base of the mental edifice. That's why it's so hard to dispense with entirely, even when a person becomes adept at higher reason.

An almost entirely impersonal Universe is in motion. Sometimes we capitalize on it and sometimes we get in its way.

Take the God out of God, and there is plenty of wisdom to be gleaned from the old books (a lot of bullshit too, unfortunately (shrug)). Think of God as an old surfing instructor -- not the creator of the waves, but one adept at reading them -- who is willing to show you how to get up on a board and surf this impersonal Universe.

I try to keep that mental image whenever I'm forced to listen to scripture, or a benediction. It helps to keep my blood pressure down.