Hi all,
I think that DeCartes' perception of God may be further explained by the death ratio of the era. In that time, people died very young and they did not have the conveniences of adequate medical care for their needs. I believe that each person was acquainted with death from an early age and this may have something to do with the belief and inclusion of God. With human mortality threatened by something as simple as the common cold on a daily basis, it may have been a great comfort to have faith in a being who could assure safety in the "after life".
deb