I love the idea of the Brights being an umbrella group for people living without religion. We need all the help we can get. Religious people act as if everyone believes in God, and wouldn't it be silly if we didn't.

Here is something that happened about three years ago that illustrates the frustration I sometimes feel. I was helping to prepare a thank-you lunch for the teachers at a local high school. The parents giving the lunch were part of Home and School Quebec. A printed menu with a little 'order of events' was placed on the tables. The Home and School chairperson was going to speak and the Principal was going to reply. There was nothing on the order of events about a prayer.

When everyone was ready to eat, the Home and School chairperson stood up and prayed to God, thanking Him for the food. This left me standing quietly with everyone else. People could easily have assumed that I was a religious person. This sort of thing is so annoying. I'm sure Home and School has something in their mission statement or by-laws showing that religion is not necessary for membership!

People of no religion need to keep in touch with people of like mind, in person, by phone, e-mail or internet forums. We need to communicate. If the Brights can help us all keep in touch, that's a wonderful thing.