See Bath i don't have a God that challenges, i challenge myself. It is ME who expects better of me, and when life throws it's numerous challenges it is ME i hold responsible for how they come out and MY OWN good i work hard at resolving them for.

SJ i did not choose my belief it is just how i am. I do not see evidence of God, but i know if i believed i would only need to open my eyes to see evidence as if one believes in God then mere reality is rich proof enough that He exists. I was not Christened and was encouraged to explore/find my own spirituality. I would say that though i find things to admire in all the major religions i know about, i probably identify most with buddhism. I have "tried out" as a child Catholicism, CofE, CofS, Islam and Judaism. None fit or rang true to enough convince me.

Religion is interesting to me, but i can't say i believe in it. Do i pray? Absolutely, if someone who is a follower of a religion asks me to, i pray for them, i appeal to their god on their behalf. If their God exists He will see what is in my heart and know it is love and not a double standard which drives me, and if He does not exist i am doing no-one any harm.

I pretty much see God in a black and white way. Either he exists or he doesn't. I might not believe in cars, but that doesn't protect me if i walk casually into the road. I try to do what i know is right because i know i should, many many people religious or not live that way, and i don't delineate. I am deeply religious in my actions, i just don't aim my gratitude or wonder or love at a God.

Hope that makes sense.

Bx