You're still talking about a literal interpretation. The symbolism can run much deeper, if you're willing to allow it.That's not at all true. Some people accept the message, to varying degrees, of the bible being an actual historical records, of there being an actual deity. Others, though they're probably far outnumbered, read religious texts as metaphorical - surely the wiser and more meaningful interpretation, but what do I know.

If you get into some metaphysical philosophy, you'll find that the distinction between "God" and "idea of God" is really quite stark.

I think it‘s the other way round. What we call 'living' is mostly a distraction from the here and now, which is the only place and time we would be able to find God.

Id think youd be more in the now, if you believe. Events happen outside your control so you just live. THat's what playing God means, you try to control everything and it doesnt really work that way

What about the idea of God distracts from the present?

If someone chooses to do something with their time (now) because the act makes them feel closer to God, does that not bring them into the moment? All forms of service (spiritual, religious and secular)can make you acutely aware of the moment. The idea of God has the potential to capture the moment, yes?

Is it contemplation of God that is a distraction? What can we contemplate that can't possibly distract us from the moment? What can we do in the moment that isn't motivated by something we have contemplated or are contemplating? Every day there are times where I am focused on some near future outcome and the moment is merely a means of going through the necessary motions to achieve it. Are you suggesting every moment should be treated with minute attention to each and every thought and sensory detail while achieving some state of mind completely detached from motive?

How is being a distraction unique to the idea of God? You likened it to entertainment. That bar for distraction is so low that I wonder how you chose this particular form of distraction as being worthy of isolated scrutiny. Or is it interchangeable with any of the other thousands of distractions and your opinion on it is of no greater consequence than your opinion on a football game?

So is posting on this site, but here you are, posting away.

Your life is so singularly important that God is "just" an idea and it is an idea which is a distraction. Go back to living in the moment then. Don't post on this site any more either, I mean, you lose a part of yourself by dedicating your thoughts to making posts on here. You could be out there doing way more important things,every second of every day.

This entire life is nothing more than a distraction away from God.

^^^ I agree with this man.

Careerism, Self-Empowerment, Status Seeking, Sex Obsession, etc. From the perspective of spiritual philosophies those are the distractions.

Even according to Mystics who are Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, etc, when we experience and earnestly express; gratitude, loving-kindness, compassion, forgiveness, we are in communion with God. Because God's nature/energy is Universal and Unconditional Love (gratitude, loving-kindness, etc). Note to lurkers: What the mystics of various traditions say, is different from what is believed by the average literalist of that tradition.

OP A short video (1:30) explaining that 'living in the now' and communion with God are not mutually exclusive...

I think God occupies your thoughts far more than most believers. Like most atheists you're obsessed with the idea of disproving God's existence. You should ask yourself why that is. Why do you so desperately want there to be no God?

Until we find a suitable replacement for religion, God is gonna need to stick around for a bit.