Hi Bob,
-> FM> Does the  "God" symbol HAVE to be separate from biological
-> > functions or the  evolutionary process?
BS>   No, it doesn't.  But most religious folk, at least those with
-> Native American or Near-Eastern based religions, perceive God as a
-> separate being, and as such would view the symbol as separate from
-> biological processes, except maybe an evolutionary process which
-> produced a biological method of sensing God.  The pantheism of
-> Far-Eastern religions might not require this separation.
  Some qualifications are in order.  RE Judaism:  The 'separate'
being might better be called 'separable' {in theory}.
  "This Instruction {mitsvah} which I enjoin upon you this day is not
too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach.  ...No, the thing
{dabar} is very close to you, in your mouth
and in your heart, to observe it."  From the Torah, at Deut 30:11-14
   {_Tanakh_  JPS,  1985}
  RE Far-Eastern religions.  I'm not sure Taosim is Pantheistic,
since the Tao is the primordial 'mother' of all things.
  Further, Buddhism is often atheist or agnostic.
  So in the latter case,  "God" as westerners think of him/her/it
{a being, in particular a person in some sense}
is not a necessary ingredient in a religion.
  But perhaps you agree with these modifications...?
  Peace.  Hal.
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