I am thankful my parents never crammed religion down my throat. Ever. I was raised presbyterian, attended church into my teens, was baptised, had communion and was confirmed. I never felt 'tied' to a religous belief, and while I don't like this statment, have always felt more spiritual then religious. I also like the saying that attending church doesn't make you a christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

I attended a quaker college. WOW. What a group of people. So non judgmental, so non-everything- but I liked the convictions, the quiteness of it all.

Now, WAY past college (LOL, like 20 plus years), and having experienced some other things in life, some other religions, some other churches and lots and lots of 'christians', I look at things differently.

My relationship with God is MY relationship. Any person that tries to tell ME what God means, intends, belives, stands for, etc., is totally entitled to THEIR beliefs. Mine are my own. I feel no need to argue or defend my position. I try to be 'good'. I fail. I try to make amends, I try to do better, I try to witness. I realize that everyday is a day to be better, not bitter. I haven't gone to a church in forever. If that causes other people pause, totally ok with me. I don't answer to other people. I answer to MY higher power. If they think they have an in with that higher power- peace be with them. Not my business.

Anyone that uses religion as a weapon, rather than an umbrella to shield/soothe/comfort you, isn't -IMO- Godlike. I would distance myself from them and find people that share your beliefs. That isn't a cop-out, that isn't a way to say to heck with organized religion. It is a way to say that organized 'religion' stops being religious when it separates us from what we are supposed to cling to most closely. Those are man's laws/issues, not God's.