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I actually find it very intersting/helpfull to see how other peoples ideas evolve over time. In exchange here is my life story (intellectual life that is!) I had a very different start. I was not indoctrinated by my parents to believe in any particular religion. They stressed the importance of being honest,fair and generous to those that are worse off materially. They also taught me a respect for /interest in the natural world. I did attend sunday school for a time. And later at school (state school) took an interest in the (once a week) religion class. I was actually fascinated by religion and was keen to learn about it, because I think it was alien to my home life and therefore "exotic". I soon noticed that my fellow class-mates (who mostly came from christian backgrounds) tended to know less about their own beliefs than I did! I realised at an early age (8 years old or thereabouts) that a lot of people just believed stuff without ever thinking about what they believed. It made me feel like a visitor from another world trying to understand the strange customs of the locals. I started actively debating "God" with my fellow students while still in primary (U.S. - elementary ?) school. I was quite pleased that my childish efforts,over a year, managed to "convert" a freind to the idea that religion was a bit of a con job. While a high school student I continued to seek out the students who were interested in "ideas".( They wewe fairly scarce in my home town!) Many of my best freinds became born again christians (seventh day adventists no less) when I was about 15 - 16. This was a crises period for me as I was very much lacking in self confidence and I really liked, and looked up to these people. I went on christian youth camps with them, attended church services etc - but i could never find any way to accept what was being told to me. I really wanted to believe - but i kept asking questions and the answers were not there or were against religion. On arriving at University I made new friends and slowly drifted away from my christian friends and the "crises of belief" slowly faded. The interesting thing was that at no time did my inteligence allow me to "just accept" the bullshit that was being offered BUT the emotional pull of wanting to belong was increadibly strong. For me personally, the clinching factors were my need to remain honest to retain my self respect and self identity AND my fascination with and reverence for nature. I can't just abandon reality for an easy cop out. So I think what unites most atheists is the desire not to be decieved - we prefer truth to being happilly deluded. (and are the deluded truely happy? why do they so loadly proclaim their "Joy"? are they trying to convice themselves as much as others?) Cheers Mark
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