Growing up in a non-religious household, but with very accepting family, has offered me the opportunity to learn for myself what I choose to believe or not to believe. That being said, there were never a shortage of invitations to bible studies and youth groups from friends and classmates alike.

Here is the deal. After going to a couple of these things I was invited to, I realized that I was less of a friend and more of a challenge to these people. How much would it take to convert me to their religion and join their church? I was a people pleaser, though, and found myself accepting a many of invitations, at least until my visits started to get awkward, and I began making people uncomfortable for not wanting to fall in line.

By a certain age, early teens let's say, I had already established my beliefs pretty firmly. I had gone to quite a few churches in town in order to humor the masses, to no avail. I just did not belong. Instead of feeling assured it only made things worse. I lost these friends because they could not win me over. My friend circle shrunk to a very select few.

This proved to be a difficult scenario as a teenager seeing as we thrive on social interaction and a feeling of belonging to something. But, I did not. And I was not going to force myself to. The invitations didn't stop though just because my social circle shrank. Strangers from other circles started to throw some invites into the ring. But, I had grown wiser and in respectful fashion heard them out and turned them down.

Now, as an adult I am even more set in my ways, though always open to other lifestyles and ways of believing and still get the question "where do you go to church?" And to this I always say, "I don't" which is met with much criticism instead of acceptance. This is where we have failed.

Here is why, a church does not define what I believe or who I am. I do not need to attend a church to prove my beliefs. I for one know plenty of God serving Christians who do not even attend a church. They are all great people and do their part in their communities without a big corporation backing them. Also, there are so many variations, why must I choose one? That goes for religion as a whole. I should not have to change to please the masses.

So, no, I do not have to attend your church, bible study, play, or any of that. I do not have to tell you why, what I believe in (Just to be told I am wrong and going to hell for it), or even where I go if I choose to go at all. My belief system is my business, and sharing is a choice I have every right to make on my own just as you do. It is ok not to belong to one set way of doing things and to draw from what I do believe, be unique and be me.