The world, both present and past, is filled with atheisms, all of which take part in the religious quest for meaning. Its history contains theism, atheism and anti-theism, belief in god/s and disbelief in anything supernatural. It is religion: the desire to be connected with some idea, some person, some group, on an uncommon level of existence.

In the past and present of the West, as one religious group defines, another counter-defines. Antagonism and antithesis rule. In my life it has been that way, and in my family it has even been twin against twin. This is not the way of harmony and understanding.

On one concept all can agree: the universe is unknown, it is a mystery. How we approach that mystery is based on family, cultural tradition, thought and experience. One's initial approach and later engagements are usually very different. Events in our family, high school, work place, college, relationships, aging, change our perspective. But the greater mystery of the universe still remains.