to be precise, I was *told* that someone heard that I am an atheist. I was surprised and laughed when I heard that. I have a very strong Southern Baptist background that, when I was coming up, believed in separation of church and state. I have heard that is still a Southern Baptist platform but I haven't particularly looked.at their charter recently. However, the history of Baptists in this country, starting with Roger Williams, is a belief that church and state must be separate. The hijacking of the Southern Baptists by what I consider not only to be extremist elements but also a particular party was one factor that drove me away from organized religion. I considered attending the Methodist church, because my extended familiy is also Methodists, but my *home* is with Baptists, if I was to go to ANY church.

I've also, in my life, become much more tolerant of other religions than I was as a child. I don't have a problem with anyone whose viewpoint differs from mine from worshipping his or her God (or not) the way he or she sees fit. I simply don't want other viewpoints pushed on me. I believe that God would not disenfranchise significant populations of the world and destroy those who didn't follow one particular brand. I've seen, in my lifetime, religious discrimination, in the Christian arena, against Catholics and Mormons, and even, at a more particular level, between American Baptists and Southern Baptists. And I have turned away from all of that. It's too divisive. But for those who want to believe and follow that way, I don't have a problem... just keep it out of government.

As far as atheism goes, although I am not myself an atheist, I don't care if anyone else is, it's their own private business, and just as I would think people would not want their own beliefs intruded upon by others, there's a level of respect for differing or dissenting opinions on how one wants to believe or run one's own life (That's of course with the caveat that beliefs that want to kill or injure others, and perhaps be breaking the law, must be reined in for society to function peacefully).

I do not feel comfortable with going places that are secular in purpose and everyone joining in a prayer circle holding hands. I understand that some people like to do that but they should also respect that I don't want to-my prayers are conducted privately, according to a scripture I interpreted to mean that when people pray, they shouldn't be as the hypocrites but go into their private rooms. Others don't agree with that? Fine, but respect my right to believe that and not want to join in public showy prayers.

I don't believe that a God of goodness would be involved in invading other countries, such as Iraq and killing innocent civilians. I don't think God sits in one church in one country that is praying for victories against another country in which parishioners or a church equally pray for victory. Likewise, I don't think God takes sides in football games.

But here's the bottom line. If someone wants to judge whether they want to be my friend or not, I don't think whether I am a particular religion or an athiest (which I am not) ought to even be a consideration, especially when, heh, it comes from rumour. Rather, how about come to know me personally with my character and viewpoints, ethics and morality. Seems to me there are enough stereotypes and rigid thinking in the world.