Alpha and Omega: Religious Question

[Nonexistent_One]

I have been taught that God is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. God always was, and always will be. He was not created, nor will he ever be extinguished. This condition of being infinite is unconceivable to mere human minds--we can't explain how God is this way. I have also been taught that God created the Universe. I believe that this is the central purpose of religion--to answer the question, "How did everything come to exist?"

If theists can accept that God has no beginning nor an end, then why is it such a far reach to assume that the Universe itself always was and always will be? Why do theists assume that the universe had to be created? Maybe it's because the Universe isn't the loving, caring, and just being that they have come to rely on in times of emotional distress, or just for overall comfort.

Could God have existed outside of existence in order to create existence?

Before we move along to our responses, let's have a look at the Christian documentation of the "Creation." God created the earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh. The use of the word "days" alone is controversial, some saying that it means "24 hours," some saying that it means "era," and others saying that it's merely "symbolic." Even with all of these viewpoints, I'd like to consider one question: If God is omnipotent, shouldn't creation have been instantaneous? And why in the world would a Omnipottent GOD need to rest after completing such a menial task (in relation to his infinite power). I hope that no one takes this book for literal truth, because, if it is true (that God exists), it's a pretty horrid representation of an all-powerful God. I'd say that the Bible is seriously out-dated, and that it would be wise to consider a more modern approach to a book that is the center of a religion, so as not to confuse people.

Thoughts?

~NEO