The Inventor And The Creator

"[Thomas] Edison's mother, his wife Mina, and his father-in-law Lewis were all deeply religious, and attended church regularly. But Edison did not have much interest in formal religion. He joked that he was 'oblivious of Sunday.' Edison did, however, believe in a divine Creator. This notion of the Creator was one who had set forth precise laws of the universe that were to be known throughout science and mathematics. As he phrased, it, 'I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us - everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision.' But Edison's God wasn't a personal one. As he wrote in his diary, 'What a wonderfully small idea mankind has of the almighty! My impression is that he has made unchangeable laws to govern this and billions of other worlds, and that he has forgotten even the existence of this little mote of ours ages ago. Why can't man follow up and practice the teachings of his own conscience, mind his own business, and not obtrude his purposely created finite mind in affairs that will be attended to without any volunteer advice.'" - Michael Gelb

It's easier on me to imagine a more personal God than Edison, since the act of giving thanks isn't nearly as meaningful when casting it into empty space.