This book is irreverent, blunt, stimulating and provocative with a blend of cynicism, unique wit and severe doses of blasphemy. The theory is advanced that, when it comes to God and religion, to question is the answer. Tom Reilly was born in Drogheda, Ireland in 1960. He has published four history studies including the controversial and ground breaking Cromwell: An Honourable Enemy (Brandon Books 1999). Foreword A priest once told me that everybody has to find God. At the time, I didn't even know He was missing. I spent a great deal of my life looking everywhere. But I never found Him. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, He has completely vanished. I have now come to the conclusion that we have no spiritual purpose on this earth and there is no great divine plan. Because it seems that He was never there in the first place. And I believe that there should be widespread acceptance of this prospect. The sooner this happens, the better the chances are that we will treat our fellow humans peacefully and equally. Religion first emerged from fears of the unknown such as: the mystery of birth, the finality of death, unpredictable weather conditions and the wonder of dreams. It once gave meaning to life and helped to shape personal and cultural identities. In my opinion it's about time that we dumped our remaining religious baggage and freed ourselves from outdated superstitions. We can all lead full lives that are guilt-free, without fake promises or frightening threats in the fictitious world of the afterlife. Only then can we remove one of the main sources of evil in the world, religious hatred. It is becoming more and more clear that the existence of a Supreme Being is primitive nonsense. With our now highly developed thought process, there are scientists who say God is a cheap supernatural explanation to life on earth that is mentally degrading. It is most likely that we are the descendants of prehistoric bacteria, not the children of God. DNA has created us. Not the Almighty. Let's face it: organised religion is dying a slow death in the Western World. Common sense when it comes to religion is becoming much more common. We are a generation in transition. It's not so much that God is dying. It is more a case of divine homicide. And we are killing Him. But in a good way! This long-overdue death of religion is leaving a void in many people's everyday lives and the gap is being filled with confusion, guilt and very often an intense sense of loss. Many people would reject God if they had half a mind, but they are petrified of the consequences. It doesn't have to be like this. This is my story. If I can encourage even one reader to find the strength to leave religion behind by reading this book, then I will feel that it is a job well done. The world will be a better place as a result. Obviously I am going to offend. Like most people, I am probably leading a very ordinary life. But I have had a profound religious experience that has made me drastically change my life's priorities. I call it a 'de-conversion'. I happen to have been a Catholic, by birthright rather than design, and I have used this experience to question God. Now I am actually embarrassed that I ever believed. Some will find these words blasphemous and downright insulting. To me 'blasphemy' is to ridicule absurd beliefs that someone else holds. It is a non-word, relevant only to believers. I have not therefore intended this as an attack on the Catholic Church per se. As children we all bought the God story. As informed and rational adults, I simply recommend that each of us should review our own ideas of God and religion and draw our own fresh conclusions. I have. He and I have now parted company. Bye-bye God. Take care now.