I'm an atheist, raised in a household with a mother who was a believer but who practiced in solitude. I have never believed in any gods that I can remember.

It always left me perplexed when 'good' christians failed to understand what you are saying here- their silence adds to the negative association of what it means to be a christian.

But the very fact that the bible has remained largely unchanged for 2000 years, and that a large number of christians haven't even read or studied the book they claim to live by, makes me wonder if they can devote any real critical thought to discussions about issues facing all religions today.