On a simplified plane of existence (as applies to an ants possible ability to grasp existence which I would figure to be an inherent ability) they would not identify as "Christian" or "atheistic" however such inferences can be made by an objective and more intelligent being (like you).
On the difference between consciousness and awareness? I have no idea, but I suspect we are headed into deap semantic waters on that one. Off-hand I would use them pretty much interchangeably, though I may be missing something here.
Not interchangable in so far as I do not believe one can exist without the other.
(let me change my mind... conciousness cannot exist without awareness)
While no one would argue the an ant is concious, you contend that they do not have the facilities to grasp God's existence on an intellectual level, but I guess that perhaps on a abstract level. I'm sure that insects wouldn't assign a name to God, and I doubt they contemplate the possiblity of God, but just simply (and I mean very simply) know.
If someone is unconcious, they are unaware of what is happening around them (except rare circumstances mentioned in my EMT class where people will remeber everything that happened after an accident down to an EMT's name at the scene though they were unconcious throughout the ordeal) which only strengthens my case that awareness may be possible without the additional senses of a concious being.
Awareness can be broken down into different levels given certain circumstances. FOr instance, I may be awae that I "am" but not that you "are" or that something else "is". (ref. autism)
Let me extend the topic in the direction I was originally intending it to go.
The burden of proof is not set on anyone (which would be of benefit to the defending party in this instance), since there is really no way to know without insight into a baby's mind.
A child's information retention at a very young age is minimal, thus leading me to the conclusion that without a nurturing of the knowledge of God, the knowledge would be quickly forgotten.
However, I believe that an argument for the belief that babies do ave an inherent knowledge of God is in there ability to grasp the beief in a God so easily at a young age.
The idea seems so abstract to us, but to a young child, it makes so much sense that God is the creator. That's before all of the questions are raised and conflicting views are introduced. When that occurs, it can lead a young child down one path of "knowing" or the other.
