By Mike Dishnow, December 11, 2006

I am a 63-year-old raised in a liberal Catholic household. Yes, I said “liberal.” My father’s greatest gift to me as a child was to allow questioning of religious teachings and dogma and to encourage me to think for myself.

He always said he found it encouraging when things were tough to think that “someone up there” was looking out for him. He was a believer, but told me I would have to reason these issues out for myself.

Through my personal experiences, education and reading over the years, I have reached the conclusion that there is neither God nor gods up there. I believe that man has created God in his image, not the other way around.

I have given my children the same gift that my father gave to me, the freedom to examine the evidence and make up their own minds about religious and philosophical questions. None has ever disparaged me for that, nor do they all share my conclusions.

I believe I have given them no greater gift than this. I hope they will continue this family tradition.