Last Thanksgiving, in response to something my mother said, I replied "Ma, I don't believe any o' that god stuff." Her response was, "Yes you do, you're Catholic!" Well I've been an atheist for the better part of a decade. I continue to marvel at how people believe the impossibilities tought in religions as actual facts. Ironically, my journey toward atheism began when my brother introduced me to the teachings of a Brooklyn, NY cult leader of an Islamic sect. This guy, who is now incarcerated for life, wrote some interesting books breaking down the scriptures of the bible. His skepticism, I imagine, inspired him to publish his interpretations of the bible including refuting the validity and popular meanings of certain holidays such as Christmas and Easter. These books opened my eyes. Instead of being inspired to be one of his followers, they caused me to begin questioning what I believed. I was on the slippery slope and promptly descended. Or did I ascend? I would argue for the latter.