I'm with you, Bill:

I've known Gordon Bok for 36 years and have never had any desire to ask him if he follows any religion, or even if he believes in God.   I've know Ed Trickett just as long, and have never had that conversation with him.. don't know if he believes in God, and it isn't relevant to our friendship. I too knew "Padre" for years without knowing if he formally followed a particular religion and was as surprised as you to discover that he'd become a Priest. There are countless other friends of many years I've never felt any need to ask about their religious beliefs.
I talk about my faith because it is central to who I am, not who I am trying to make others become. I respect people who do not believe in God, as Art Thieme has been one of my closest friends for most of my life. The key is respect. Art has always respected my beliefs although he doesn't share them. I think that he sees the positive effect it has on my life and who I am. For a long time he kept a photograph of the Gospel Messengers posted above his desk at home.

I find it interesting that it's a handful of non-believers who are so strident and lead the attacks in here. They start endless insulting threads and are as judgmental as those who claim to be "religious".

Calling yourself religious don't make you religious. And you can live a highly moral life without being "religious." But there are many of us who make a serious attempt to practice what we don't preach.

You're a good, just, fair man, Bill

Jerry