I am not an atheist. Like most people in this world, I believe in a divine creator (or creators), and to that extent I am religious.

To use an analogy, I see God (Gods) as the manufacturer of this universe.

This, to me, makes organised religions, the various wholesalers who sell on the product to priests (imams, rabbis, monks etc.), who then retail it to us. Each level modifies the product, and sets conditions of sale and prices, which benefit that level of the organisation.

So the product is handled by men, in such a way that those men may gain control of the largest proportion of the population possible.

The end result is that there is little resemblance between the original product, and what we receive.

Having been indoctrinated in the Christian faith, I try to do what I believe Christ would really have wanted. I live my faith without reference to priests, doctrine, or dogma.

I believe every person on this earth has the right, and perhaps the duty, to do the same in whatever form he/she believes to be right. Even atheists can, and do, live a useful and moral life, benefitting the community, and harming no-one, and may be more acceptable to God than some religious fanatics who will kill to impose their faith on others.

Organised religion has been corrupting the message for thousands of years, so I deal directly with my concept of God, and he always answers my prayers, tho' he doesn't always say yes.

Don T