"Either God is alive, in which case he'll deal with us as he sees fit. Or he is dead, in which case he was never alive, it being unlikely that he died of old age"

John Ralston Saul's quote faces the existential and theological questions about God's existence and nature. The statement establishes a dichotomy, considering whether God is alive or dead, each with substantial philosophical ramifications.

The first part of the quote, "Either God lives, in which case he'll handle us as he sees fit", explores the concept of a living deity who actively engages with mankind. If God is alive, it indicates continuous magnificent involvement in worldly affairs. This viewpoint lines up with theistic beliefs where God is a personal being who manages, steps in, or guides human destiny. It recommends that human actions might be under magnificent scrutiny, therefore impacting how people think about morality, free will, and responsibility.

Contrastingly, the 2nd proposal, "Or he is dead, in which case he was never alive, it being not likely that he passed away of old age", prompts reflections on the non-existence or irrelevance of God. Here, Saul questions the premise of a once-living God who in some way ceased to exist. By presuming that God could not have passed away of old age, Saul indicates the concept that going over God's death implies a misconception; if God were ever to be thought about dead, possibly God never existed in the first location. This lines up with an atheistic or agnostic perspective, emphasizing rationalism and empirical doubts about the supernatural.

Saul's consideration opens discussion on the nature of belief, faith, and hesitation. It asks whether belief in God refers evidence and factor or among faith and custom. This quote motivates a deeper query into how humankind obtains meaning and ethical standards-- whether from a divine source or through nonreligious humanism. Through this lens, Saul challenges us to analyze our presumptions about existence, prompting a balance in between reverence and questioning in our understanding of the divine.