Let me say I am astounded at the level of information , views and intelligent debate.
I was born and educated a Roman Catholic but rarely go to church now.
25 years ago we didn't christen / baptise our 2 kids mostly because of my views about Organised Religions
I have a firm belief in a supreme being - most would say God .
In addition to handing out loads of duff times , my God has been generally good to me.
He's good to ask why you are getting a duff time - although I've never has an answer !!.
He's also good to have around to thank for the good times.
It's just that I don't feel the need to be in a church to say thanks or whatever.
The idea that you need you need to be in an organised church to say thanks is the bit that defeats me - however, I understand you need somewhere to perform all the rituals , some of which are most strange to say the least.
Now I suppose someone is going to ask " Is belief in God / Allah a form of mental illness ? " - I hope not .
My unorganised religion is quite a good mental crutch as I stumble through this life of ours.
Btw - the kids turned out quite normal souls - both at Uni and never brought an ounce of trouble
to our doorstep and my wife and I have never tried to persuade them to be any particular religion.
Let them sort THAT one out for themselves - as most of us appeared to have (almost) done - though to varying degrees .