I am fine w/ grace. I’ll even say amen. I could probably even muster up some humanistic words of gratitude if the occasion called for it. Wouldn’t enjoy it though.

Have never been called on to pledge allegiance although I did promise to serve my God, the queen, the Commonwealth and the Sea Cadet Corps on several occasions. To the 14 yr old who said them, they were just words. I wouldn’t say them now.

I’d happily swear on the bible. It’s the thought that counts and I am a sucker for tradition.

I went to church nearly every Sunday for several years after we got married. I enjoyed hearing what The Bish had to say. He was a good speaker. Still enjoy going to church when the occasion calls for it.

Never received communion. Never felt pressure to do so. Contrarian that I am, if I were forced to go to church, I would refuse.

At my girlfriend’s funeral in Malta, I was invited to deliver the Salt and Vinegar (whatever it was) to the priest. I felt very self conscious and had to decide whether to wave my hands around in cross-like gestures and whether to genuflect when I crossed the aisle like I had noticed everyone else doing. I decided I would not. I simply nodded my head respectfully when I handed over the Holy Condiments.

When asked what I believe, I too hold my head high and pronounce my creed in a loud clear voice. It feels good.

There are some religious things that are ingrained into our daily lives that do bug me. What do you do when you sit at a dinner table and someone says grace? I usually *look* down and stay quiet (no amen). What would you do if you were *asked* to say grace? I know that I would politely refuse. When saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school, did you skip the “Under God” line like me? In a courtroom, what book does an atheist get to swear on? Would you endure it with a bible? Have you ever attended church with someone for some reason or another just to be respectful? I did for the last time about 9 years ago. It was terrible. They made everyone march in front of the minister and take the bread wafer and if you refused (like I did) they said out loud, “Are you sure?” The common theme to these is that I am expected by social norms to participate and I cannot in good conscious do so.

Do to the nature of these conversations we have had though, I have changed my posture on what I believe. I no longer answer the question, “What do you believe in,” with a meek response. I now hold my head high and state my belief and I never worry about who hears it. A change for the better I think.