We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.

... There is no God, only man's fear and arrogance. ...

January 27,2004

Responsibility demands little of the "Ignorant"... Wasted minds ignore "REALITY"... There is no God, only man's fear and arrogance.

... Would Evil "Strongly Disagree"? ...

January 27,2004

Would Evil "Strongly Disagree"?

... I see little difference between evangelical Christ ...

January 27,2004

As an atheist, I don't believe in gods or devils or heaven or hell. From my point of view, I see little difference between evangelical Christians, cult members of Heaven's Gate, or Muslim terrorists who are willing to die for Allah. There are 35 million Americans who like me don't believe in a diety. This time period is our worst nightmare in all ways.

... religion is by no means a requirement to becoming ...

January 27,2004

I am not a religious person. I do consider myself a spiritul person. Spirituality deals with feeling connected to other beings and to the universe. It deals with developing the ability to love others and to love oneself. If someone becomes more spiritual through religion, fine. But religion is by no means a requirement to becoming a more spirital being. Policies that widen the rich-poor gap, that pollute the planet, and that use bombs and dollars to control others - these policies may grow out of a sincere religious conviction, but to me, they are not very spiritual.

... My identity - who I am as a person - is defined by ...

January 27,2004

My identity - who I am as a person - is defined by my relationship with Jesus. Ever since I became a Christian by accepting Christ into my heart as my personal Lord and Savior, He has been a part of me: guiding me, protecting me, loving me. Before making a decision, I first consult with the God who holds the Perfect Purpose of my life in the palm of his Almighty Hand. Everyone has a moral consciece upon which they base daily choices, but only because it was instilled in them by the Creator of all things.

... ancient texts should not be taken literally, and n ...

January 27,2004

Religion plays no role in my life decisions. I agree that a great deal of the values and ideals the U.S. holds near to American hearts have been taken from holy texts and belief systems. I personnaly think that all religions share common beliefs that can help guide our decisons. However, I think ancient texts should not be taken literally, and need to be tempered with wisdom from current times.

... Many churches, even bible and qur'an translations ...

January 27,2004

I do not believe that God would have given us independent thought if He/She wanted us to blindly follow a church. Many churches, even bible and qur'an translations disgree with themselves. All of them have shown to be open to interpretation completley. I believe it is very important for us to seek our own individual spiritual paths to find God. Open minds, people. Open minds is the key for society to evolve.

... As Creator, God has given mankind a free will ...

January 27,2004

As Creator, God has given mankind a free will. We have been shown right and wrong by the law of God which is called the 10 commandments. In the most simple of Biblical terms, to break even one (1) law, is to become a law breaker or in God's terms a sinner. By personally asking God for forgiveness, based on the death, burial and resurection of Jesus Christ his Son, I have been redeamed from my sin and it's penalty. These are His terms not mine. Therefore in thanks giving to Him, I choose by my freewill to serve Him, and make Him the guiding center of my life, which is as it should be. Our country was founded by those who saw these same truths in the Bible, and built the framework of our government on those truths. They according to and because of freewill, ordained that the country would not establish a national religion. However, they acknowledged and gave honor to the existance and blessing of the Creator. I like the framers of our government try to make my decisions based on my faith in God's faithfulness not in the teachings of a self ordained local church.

... My faith in God and his son, Jesus, enable me to l ...

January 27,2004

My faith in God and his son, Jesus, enable me to love others as He loves me.

... my God is certainly not a one-size-fits-all ...

January 27,2004

At no point did any one define God. To put shape and form to that abstract notion so dear to endless societies when they are in need of a specific type of overseer or guardian.

God IS an invention. We must never forget that. The product of countless vivid imaginations in need of some kind of really spiffy, self-serving creator.

And of course, therein lies the problem.

In a city like New York there is a pantheon of religious possiblilites. With no one deity or creator any more valid than the next.

Because of your historical time frame you assumed the Christian-Judeau image for your discussions. -More Christian than Judeau. (Were there any Jews in the room that day when all the heavy-duty signing was being done?)

The Christian-Judaeu God barely served the needs of the people through any part of the first millenia and certainly doesn't work in any present contemporary context. Even Disney wouldn't edify many of the actions presented in that which the general populous looks upon as holy scripture carefully scrutinized, sanitized and approved by some King named, James.

Just in passing. I don't care who sanctions a marriage so long as the civil needs and benefits are properly looked after.

I'm not an atheist. Nor do I believe that all "this" just happened.

I do believe that "God" is somewhere inside each and everyone of us and not the other way around. And my God is certainly not a one-size-fits-all. The notion of "good" equated with God can be said to be pretty universal but beyond that things get a little iffy.

Much of the 21st century will be about resolving this issue of God. Replacing the paper version with the real thing. -Recognizing the good stuff that resides in us all.

... Some church's will teach only a few scriptures t ...

January 27,2004

I agree with the statement but to be more accurate about my view I think someone should define religion. Religion is man's effort to find God or eternal life. I believe, according to the Holy Bible that man's efforts to get to God will always fall short. I make my decisions out of appreciation and greatfulness that God actually did the work to get me to heaven through the work of Jesus, in his life, death, and ressurection. Yes, I believe that following teachings of the church are valuable for life's decisions, but only if that church is teaching the Bible in it's entirety and they believe it has divine authority. Some church's will teach only a few scriptures to promote their personal belief's rather than just believing what God has to say. Let's be honest if you can't trust God all the time how can you trust him any of the time!

One of His,

Travis

... the Bible is like the manual on how to keep the ca ...

January 27,2004

For me the Bible is like the manual on how to keep the car running smoothly: its Maker knows best and cares. The Bible is like a love letter from husband to wife: He promises to be faithful to us, forgive us, nourish us,comfort us, be with us forever. It is the covenant from a king who came not to be served but to serve, in the person of Christ who died for me. Therefore my relation to Christ through his Word is central to everything I think and do.

... Rather than a religion, what I have is a relations ...

January 27,2004

How I live is dictated by how I believe. Since I believe God gave His Word, the Bible, revealing His ways and benevolent guidance, I desire to follow it and can only begin to do this with His help alone. Rather than a religion, what I have is a relationship which is built on trust. He
doesn't leave me alone but with principles to guide my daily decisions, actions, and words.

... I do not see where the ten commandments are factor ...

January 27,2004

I find it extremely difficult to fathom the possibility that any of the world's predominant religious models have any relevance or feasibility in this day and age. I do not see where the ten commandments are factored into the decision making of individuals on a day to day basis. Individuals who are forced to coexist with behemoth instituions of commerce, theology, and politics, whose motivations have consistantly proven to be secular in both nature as well as practice. Unfortunately for those people subsisting in the spiritual realm, a new model of "God" will have to be "created", and therin lies the quandry pessimist like myself are forced to endure when trying to gain a foothold into what we all hope is a better life than the one we have been forced to endure during our tenure here on earth.

... God is an important part of my life ...

January 27,2004

I am thankful that God is an important part of my life - without Him, I have no life. Jesus is my Lord, and His Holy Spirit lives within me. What an honor and a privilege!!

... my right to go to church on Saturday is protected ...

January 27,2004

I am religious as a 7th-day Adventist who believes in the Bible. I believe strongly in the separation of church and state because my right to go to church on Saturday is protected by the laws that separate church and state. I agree that the famous rock should have been removed from the Alabama Court House. The only laws that give me the right to make my choice of a day to worship are the same laws that uphold the separation of church and state. So any issue that brings these laws into question will mean upholding the Civil Liberties that may mean no prayer in public schools ect. I believe all children should be taught of the Bible in a way that just having prayer can not do. They need a private Christian education.

... My faith is based on the truth of the bible & the ...

January 27,2004

I consider the foundation of what I belive to be: Truth and a belief in a personal relationship and not a religion. It's more about the relationship and accountablity to Christ and not the teachings of a religion. My faith is based on the truth of the bible & the word of God, after all, churches & religions can vary. I do worship and have fellowship and support within my church as well as being taught the word of God yet I am careful to always question and make my decisions based on my private prayers and searching of the entire gospel and what is true. I belive Christ never forced His beliefs on anyone yet he always presented it before them for them to decide & be responsible for their own choices.

... If one is able to live a generous and helping life ...

January 27,2004

Religion expresses the morals of man, and states that the came from a god(s). Yet people that dont belive in god are just, and even more so, as moral and 'good' as the religious. If one is able to live a generous and helping life without a belief in god, then why would one need a god or bible to influence their choices?

... if we are guided by our faith it will also guide o ...

January 27,2004

Surely, if we are guided by our faith it will also guide our thinking, our consciencee and our decisions.

... If you can attend on a regular basis, but choose n ...

January 27,2004

I too attend church but due to the nature of my employment, a swing shift, only attend 1/2 the time.
Church attendence is a personal thing but I believe that when the church door is open and services are being held one should be in attendence if at all possible. Even though I am not regular in attendence I serve on several committees and take an active role in the development of the church in the community.
I serve as a member of the property committee, missions board, and help serve breakfast for our teens each thursday morning prior to school. Each thing we do as a member of the church fills a void that would otherwise be created if you were not an active member in some way.
If you can attend on a regular basis, but choose not to, that is another matter. I would ask you why?
As a church member and a citizen it is our responsibility to make sure our nation continues to be free and our elected leaders preserve our constitution. We should be active in the politics of our nation. I have written some 1000 letters to my elected leaders both nationaly and state.I even write to the United States Supreme Court and our nations President. Express your view point or someone will do it for you and there view point often is not to the best of your believe or interest.