I’ve always been one to let curiosity get the best of me. On the playground as a child, I refused to use the space as it was intended the way other children did. I played on the roof, I played on the outside of the walls, I climbed up the support beams. I wasn’t inclined to be restricted by the ‘right’ way to interact with the space set out for me. This trend of individualism marked many important decisions in my life, from being an exchange student…

It's a common misconception (not to mention a sweeping generalization) that all atheists hate everything about religion.  I for one can say that that isn't so.  So in hopes of building bridges--and being less of the "negative nancy" I seem to have been lately--I thought I'd write a list of things that I do like about various religions, and I encourage commenters to do the same.  After all, we're all sharing this tiny pale blue dot together.

• I like…

I love Christmas time. The general kindness from people around me makes me feel all warm and fussy.

I'm the only atheist in my family, but it really hasn't bothered me, since they've never seemed fundamental or intrusive in any way. I announced my atheism about a year ago, and all I got was a "why", which I answered as well as I could, and then an "ok", and that was pretty much it. I've always lived a pretty secular life, so my lifestyle didn't change much, but my way of looking at…