Like fetishdj, I'm more of an agnostic than an atheist, not willing to say that there is no God, but that I don't see any proof that there IS. Actually, I generally refer to myself as an Apathetic Agnostic: I don't know if God exists, and I don't give a damn.

Like you, dynamicbuttler, I have a problem with religion, seeing it at the center of the vast majority of problems existing between cultures today. But don't confuse religion with faith. It's not the belief in a higher power that causes the strife, but the codification of a belief system, religion. Everyone has faith in something, to one extent or another. I have faith in science, since it's impossible for me, or anyone else for that matter, to know everything there is to know about all science. I have to trust that the scientists are, in general, following the scientific principles which have been developed to ensure that knowledge expands. It's quite easy for a religious nut to proclaim that the world will end tomorrow. Not too many will believe him (or her) though it's surprising to me how many actually will. But if an astronomer comes out and says there's a 95% chance that a newly discovered asteroid is going to strike the earth and destroy the planet in one month, it's probably a good idea to kiss your ass goodbye!