I one day came to realize that if there is a God, he is indifferent to all of the human tragedy and suffering which is so rife throughout the world.

I grew up as an apathetic Catholic, only going to Church because my parents wanted me to. I never looked forward to mass; I was bored with the rote rituals, bad music, lousy communion wafers, and monotone sermons. I guess the only thing that kept me going was the notion that if there was a "God", he would be angry with me for not paying some degree of lackluster homage to him one hour every Sunday. When I was thirty-three, I befriended some non-denominational Christians. They persuaded me to seek a deeper understanding of Christianity. I then joined a non-denominational Christian Church in San Diego. I immediately felt a renewed spiritual awakening. I enjoyed the "Rock and Roll Christian music", liked the congregation, and for once, I actually started to enjoy the sermons. I held the pastor in the utmost esteem and enjoyed listening to his weekly message of salvation, redemption, and the power of Jesus Christ. I eventually moved and joined another church of a similar nature. Shor

And finally, I don't understand how Christians can purport to have a monopoly on "salvation" with all of the other religious faiths of the world. For example, is a kind and benevolt Buddhist condemmed to the fires of hell because he doesn't accept Jesus as God's savior? In conclusion, I have recently turned to agnosticism, because I don't know if there is a God or not? If there is a God, he(or she) apparently cares very little about the suffering and tragedy that is so prevalent throughout the world. My life hasn't changed one bit since becoming an agnostic....not one bit at all. I am no better or worse a person as I was when I attended Church once a week. I am resolved to the fact that our life on earth is probably the only one we will have. We should make the most of it by being productive and by showing as much kindness as possible to others.

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