I believe in a god. It gives me comfort, especially in bad times. I don't spend my day thinking about doing the right thing to go to heaven, I try to do the right thing because I feel sick in my gut to be bad. There are some things I won't do because of my religion, but I don't judge anyone who does (like eating pork). My best friend has been agnostic since I've known her, and now wants to explore religion more. I've asked her if I can share mine with her, but I have not criticized her choice for going to church despite being a different religion then mine. My previous room mate was staunchly atheist, and while we touched on the topic of religion, I've never asserted she was wrong and that I am right. I've never used my religion's beliefs to take away the rights of others (gays), or promoted it other then talk about it if someone seems to show a bit of interest.

My point with this all is, live and let live. I couldn't care less if someone is atheist, or believes in the spaghetti monster. I'm not sure as to the purpose of this thread other then to completely vilify the opposite side. Unlike political, economic and other issues, where science, philosophy and experience can help with the solution, only death can answer this question.

Lastly, I've seen religion being blamed for divisions and archaic beliefs. It is my humble opinion that religion is the simplest scapegoat. If there were no religion, greed, lust, envy, and all those bad things won't vanish. We will have wars, we will look towards a specific group as evil, and we will find something else to divide us.

kthxbai