“It is merely an accident of history that it is considered normal in our society to believe that the creator of the universe can hear your thoughts, while it is demonstrative of mental illness to believe that he is communicating with you by having a dinner conversation with you.”

Simplified Meaning:

People often think it's normal to believe that God listens to their thoughts, but suggest it's strange or even crazy to think that God talks back directly, for example, during a meal. This shows how societal norms shape what we consider acceptable beliefs. Imagine if someone casually mentioned that they chatted with their dog over breakfast and the dog gave them advice. Most people would think that's odd or that the person might need help. But if someone says they pray and feel God listens, it's usually accepted. This idea comes from the fact that cultural and historical backgrounds influence what we see as normal or abnormal. For instance, centuries ago, many cultures believed in various gods who directly interacted with humans. Today, most people view these old beliefs as myths. Applying this to our lives, it might be helpful to recognize that what we consider normal or strange can change over time and depends a lot on where and how we live. It encourages tolerance and understanding of different beliefs, as they are often rooted in history and tradition rather than any absolute truth about what is normal.