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Who is to say that one's definition of "God" must conform to what a church teaches?

If we get into this sort of semantic aerobics, we are just talking about words.

The context of the statement is a message to the general public, in America. The language he used has a particular meaning in the context.

I'm not trying to get into semantics. I attend Catholic mass every Sunday and identify as part of the Catholic community, but that doesn't mean I let centuries old teachings dictate my own personal beliefs. That is the difference between church and faith. If I were to make the same statement Tim made, I would be making it from my viewpoint, not that of you or anyone else.

Why don't you identify yourself simply as a "religious person" and consider yourself part of the worldwide community of religious persons? I don't understand how you can not agree with a particular faith's concept of "God" while still considering yourself belonging to said faith.

Again, my objection is one of incomprehension. How can one reject the teachings of a religion while still identifying with said group?

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