When I was younger, I used to kneel before my bed almost every night and pray.

Dear God...

Thanking God for everything. My teddy bear. My parents. My friends. My brand new swing set.

Then I stopped. I can't remember when. But I certainly don't kneel any more.

I believe in a god. Whether he's Jewish, Christian, Catholic or belongs to any other well-renowned religion is not the point.

Besides, I think they've all got it wrong.

Look. I'm not even going to point out the numerous flaws in the Bible. I'm sure some other person has done that for you, if you believe. And if you don't, I'm sure you're aware of them anyway. If not, just start from the beginning of the good book. 7 days of creation. From start to finish. The dinosaurs' reign of the Earth lasted a good 10 seconds in that case. That's right, the exposition of The Bible isn't even correct.

So, why ? Why do I think all the conventional god(s) are non-existent? Why don't I believe completely in the big ones?

I'll give you a few choice reasons.

Famine. AIDS. War. Death. Ebola virus (which makes you liquefy from the inside. Lovely). Hate. Prejudice. Racism. Homophobia. Unrest. Top 40 music. Flood. Failure. Nuclear weapons. Info-mercials (call now and I'll give you $60 worth of sponges FREE). Annoying people that won't be quiet, even when you've asked really nicely.

I think someone's playing with all of us. Whether it's for better or worse, I think it all lies up to him. I'm sure he's keeping himself amused.

Yeah, that's right. Him. Why am I so sure ? One word. Childbirth.

I don't need a book that dates from the beginning of time to tell me how to live. I don't need a man with a cross to tell me that I had better pray for forgiveness for my numerous sins. I don't need an imperfect anyone to tell me that the way I choose to live my life is the wrong way to live my life.

I just need the answers to my questions.

Give me those, and I'll believe in anything.