Jeremy - your oversimplification of Creationism is ridiculous.

Your other points, however, are well taken. These are questions that go through my mind on a daily basis - and I have a world-view that includes God. And you know what? I don't have an answer for you - at least one that you'll be happy with. I'm not happy with what I've come up with, and even that changes to some degree over time.

I believe that you are probably irritated by Christians that oversell their faith. They are excited about the answers that it provides in their lives personally, and choose not to go into detail about EVERYTHING when they proclaim it. Of course, as with all people, there are even some that don't think beyond their immediate surroundings.

With all of that said, there are explanations that are debated even within the Christian community. Tragic world events can be/are compatible with Christianity. Most of these conclude with you thinking - "Hmmm, there are some aspects of God that I don't necessarily find attractive." And of course, that is proof that there is no God (right?).

Let me give you more. As you study the old testament, you'll find the history of Israel. You'll see instances where God commands his chosen people to decimate other nations - including women and children. It seems God actively contributed to the spreading of tragedy - sometimes to people that we would see as innocent. For you animal lovers - God imposed a way for his chosen people to pay for their sins - and that involved the primitive slaying and burning of an innocent animal.

So yes, there are aspects of God's personality that I don't like or even understand personally (where's the lightning bolt?), and they seem incompatible with the love that He's infamous for. But, as with everything, there is more to it that you find when you believe and seek further. Would you think that something much bigger and even more complex (Audiorigami should appreciate this) than our universe would be fully comprehendable?

Now that we've established that we all are missing some answers, does our opinion affect the truth? Earlier in this discussion was a reference to relative truth - but that's an oxymoron. You've gotta give that up. If there is something true that exists, shouldn't you acknowledge it, whether you like it or not? If there is something that might be foundationally true, shouldn't you give it a chance? Especially since the alternative seems even more ridiculous (my conclusion)? I know that this is a very unpleasant way to sell something, and to a degree I'm selling Chrisitanity.

So, instead of pointing to where the answers don't lie, consider pointing to where they might. Don't load up your guns with a buttload of questions that you know someone isn't going to answer so you can feel good when you walk away not having understood anything new. And you'll remain unchanged, convinced of your intellectual superiority.