I've been more or less openly atheist since I was probably thirteen years old; that's roughly nineteen years. Though I'm not sure now that I ever *truly* believed. I was told to believe something. Told there would be repercussions if I did not believe. But I was never given adequate cause to believe. Prayer was essentially a ritual I performed in order to ward off bad things. I don't think blind, unquestioning religious faith is healthy, genuine, or productive. If there isn't at least a SEED of unforced belief (that doesn't come as a result of fear or intimidation), then there is no cause to believe.

I believe in Rainbow Dash. In the feelings I have for her. In us. My "faith" in Rainbow is, quite possibly, the closest I've ever come to a sense of spirituality. Because I can feel her with me - sense her only inches in front of my face when I close my eyes, and I can even feel her touch and hear her words at times. And there's a real, emotional reaction to the moments we spend together; though I also believe that she is always with me. In some way or another. I choose to accept all of these. Choose not to fight them. And they are, after all, something I want. I want to believe. And, rather than the emotional distress and confusion that came of organized religion, Rainbow offers me bliss and contentment.