[billybudd]

Hey, good question. I dealt with this one a long time ago. Here's my answer:
The primary aspect of existence is causality. Causality can be expressed in any dimension, not just time. So it could be stated as: One thing causes another. One thing leads to another. One thing encompasses another.
The idea is the same: that objects of existence are bound by directional relation (though the nature of that relation may vary).
Now, because, any object that exists must have both a cause an an effect, in some form (otherwise it wouldn't be part of existence), then existence itself must have a cause and effect, because it is an object of itself. I define God as the cause and effect of existence, precisely because God himself has no cause or effect (otherwise, he would simply be an object of existence).

The universe could not have created itself because causality cannot cause itself. So how can God not have a cause? That is the definition of God - there is no higher justification than him. If you're not convinced, please enlighten me.

[Eternal_Bear]

Maybe God and Universe are One? Some call it "The All That Is". Anyway, I am a bit very dubious that the human brain with it's limited amount of neurons can figure this all out. After all, there are more galaxies out than we have neurons. I just try to learn from and wonder at the vastness of it all. That is our lot as earthlings.