I have faith without religion, and for what seems to me a very good reason.

The Deity I believe in is the same one that Christians, Muslims and any other sects, cults or congregations believe in.

Omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, I can communicate at any time, at any place, and in any manner I choose.

Given those facts, I should be getting flak from both sides of the argument, but while religious types regularly knock upon my door with a view to conversion, I have yet to receive a visit fom an Atheist.

Nobody has ever given me a cogent, credible reason for adding a religion to this scenario, it simply isn't relevant to my faith.

I treat people in the way that I would wish to be treated (with occasional lapses), not because it was drummed into me by a priest, Rabbi or Imam, but because I don't relish the idea of making enemies.

Empathy and Charity are common sense concepts which are not the sole province of the religious.

By organising a series of musical events, I helped to raise about £4000 toward needed repairs to a local church steeple.

I did so, not because it meant anything to me per se, but because my best friend is a member of that community and it means something to him, and because it also houses a community centre used by over 600 local people every week.

I don't seek to convert anybody and I am likely to give short shrift to anybody who wishes to convert me, or to interfere in the running of this country.

If priests want to engage in politics, they should stand for election. Otherwise they should stick to the day job, and they should never, under any circumstances, be allowed to teach schoolchildren any other subject than religious education as a comparative subject.

Any religion so insecure in its faith that it will not allow its children to be informed of the existence of other faiths, should not teach in schools at all.

Don T.