I was christened nearly 50 years ago. I had no choice in the matter; but at least religion was not shoved down my throat by my parents (who are now in their 70s and atheist too).

Christianity was, however, unavoidable when I was at secondary school. You were only excused from the interminably dull daily assemblies (sitting on a hard, cold wooden floor for an hour) if you were jewish or hindu. At the impressionable age of 15, I was converted by a group of American evangelists who visited my school (in High Wycombe, Bucks, England). I was a lonely adolescent and it is no surprise that these warm, effusive people managed to convince me that 'god' existed. Of course, as soon as they all went back to the USA it didn't take long for my belief to evaporate.

Around two years ago, I finally discarded my skin of agnosticism and sold my soul to atheism. It was like a heavy weight had been lifted from me - I am extremely comfortable with who I am now; a free, rational - and, I hope - kind person, who can show care for others without justifying it in the name of some god or belief.