I have traveled this world. From the frozen north to the blistering Middle East and everywhere in between. I have met wonderfully exotic people from all walks of life, and killed them. I have scraped human remains off asphalt with shovels, pulled body parts from road wheels, and waded knee deep in raw sewage. Not by choice, but because the mission demanded it. I consider myself a fully independent free thinker. I have attended our crumbling system of "higher" education, and just like when i served in the military, have walked away disillusioned. I have seen the worst that humanity has to offer and here i stand, a proud atheist veteran. I was raised an Episcopalian/ Southern Baptist. I have fought time and again with family and friends over beliefs. After 30 years on this planet i learned to put no stock into updated Pagan Rituals. I give gifts at Christmas, but i believe the earth is more than 5000 years old.. I give to charity as often as i can but i do not buy into fairy tales. I am your neighbor, your cousin and your son. I am the educated individual. And regardless of your arguments it will not change my beliefs.