thankhs for the response:

in my example, I did state that the person thought that "only they" were strong enough. Now if they had been humble, perhaps they would have realized that a group of them together may have been successful...but I understand why you say that is "selflessness".

True, acknowledging the Source is fine. But even poly-theism acknowledges "a source".

And good point on "uni-verse". Remember, I am not criticizing ONE, I am criticizing ONE AND ONLY.

Universe implies the power/reality of the sum of ones (ALL).

Look at the Traditional Three. Look how they sight Divinity. Is that practical?

Yes, there was a Source, a beginning...but if we look at it, ever since the original "creation", everything has been perpetual/cyclical. The buried truth within monotheism is the FACT that there are indeed forces/powers/energies that are natural and graspable and overstandable outside of their constraints. The imposition of the "fear of God".

As you say, fear is the necessary ingredient in Religion...and ironically, fear is the food of the ego as well.

-hotep