My story is not as stark or complex as most here.Although both of my parents were raised in religious,rural settings,neither felt compelled to be church-every-Sunday Christians.Both has issues with the motives of organized religion,especially extremists.

Mandatory tithing was considered theft from the family budget.They taught my siblings and myself morals and ethics,to be honest,truthful,diligent,and hard working.Both stressed education and to expand our horizons with books and National Geograghic.Both stressed keeping-up with current events as a moral and civic duty.

I grew up in the scary '50's and the turbulent '60's.The civil rights movement,the race riots,and the failed "war on poverty",left their marks in mind and my heart.

I saw first hand the effects of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on fellow students.The "Jesus freak" phenomenon went nationwide,perhaps worldwide.(At least 3 people I knew became pastors after high school.) I was not drawn-in,even though I was anti-war/pro-peace and pro-love.(What sane person isn't?)

Original sin,immaculate conception,and baptism mever made sense to me and never will.I read the entire Bible shortly after high school,before I was drafted into the Army the following year,mostly out of curiosity.

I cannot get past thefacts that Christianity didn't end human slavery in America sooner than it did,and that it fails to stop racism among its sects today.

Many in my generation were spiritual seekers.I was seeking something better than organized religion offered.I have never settled on any of the world's religions.All are incomplete,founded by shortsighted ,shallow men who believe in unfair,androcentric gods.Mine strives towards fairness,is full of hope,reason,and wisdom.It cannot be contained in a single book.

Hopefully,my soul's journey is nearing its end.I am,or have become,by accident,a blue collar mystic,what I call a river gnostic.

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