"In our modern era, God and mathematics are usually placed in totally separate arenas of human thought. But... this has not always been the case, and even today many mathematicians find the exploration of mathematics akin to a spiritual journey. The line between religion and mathematics becomes indistinct. In the past, the intertwining of religion and mathematics has produced useful results and spurred new areas of scientific thought. ...In many ways, the mathematical quest to understand infinity parallels mystical attempts to understand God. Both religion and mathematics attempt to express relationships between humans, the universe, and infinity. Both have arcane symbols and rituals, and impenetrable language. Both exercise the deep recesses of our minds and stimulate our imagination. Mathematicians, like priests, seek "ideal," immutable truths and then often try to apply these truths to the real world. Some atheists claim another similarity: mathematics and religion are the most powerful evidence of the inventive genius of the human race. Of course, there are also many differences between mathematics and religion."