100% God-Free (Soul Food with Empty Calories)

I grew up Catholic. In my early 20s, I left God because it seemed educated people eschewed God and that, as an educated person, that was not only the right thing to do - but the educated thing to do.

I look back now and realize I let someone else do my thinking for me; more importantly, I let someone else tell me how MY heart felt about God and religion.

I admit, I'm not a Bible thumper or someone who announces their belief in God from the rafters as I point a casting finger down at the "heathens". I'm the "quiet" Catholic...the one who grew-up believing in God (and still do), but something is starting to make me want to say, if not scream, something.

In Portland, the number of churches is just as visible as the number of fine restaurants and food carts that dot our beautiful city. Yet, with all the churches, it seems Portland is more Godless than most other cities I've lived in - in fact, I've read and been told (from casual surveys) that we boast a population with the highest number of atheists and agnostics, respectively (as there is a difference), in America.

It saddens me that in a city filled with so many churches that can provide food for famished souls, some still go hungry - and some go hungry by choice. With all our restaurants and churches, it seems there is a hunger that has more to do with soul food rather than sole food.

What happened? Some point to politics. Liberals don't believe in God and Portland is a very liberal city. Yes and no. Being a Liberal doesn't make you a card-carrying God-hater. I should know, because I'm a Liberal who believes in God.

Some point to science - that science cannot support a God. However, I disagree. Evolution and religion can go hand-in-hand; why is it so shocking to think God's blueprint was evolution?

Others point to, what I call, the wishing well theory. They've prayed and their prayers yielded nothing in return, so why bother? However, prayer is not just a means to ask for countless things (although I admit I am praying for a husband, LOL!). Prayer, to me, is my daily conversation with God. And, yes, most of of us pray (at some point) to ask for something whether it's a sunny Memorial Day weekend for their camping trip or a snow day to get out of school. But God knows who we are; he knows that despite the "requests" he knows we're not just asking; we're telling him more important stuff, too. Once we get past the fluff, we might tell him what is troubling our soul or what's making it jump in leaps and bounds.

People that don't believe in God are not "less" in my opinion; however, if they even peered into the kaleidoscope that shows what he is capable of, they would certainly be, if not see, more.