A friend of mine was quoted in the Star Trib

[johannexcore]

I believe we can obtain salvation by seeking righteousness and modeling our lives after Jesus' life. I also believe that empirical analysis presents better evidence to support a belief in the creator, but this evidence need not prove things beyond a shadow of a doubt. Christians are free to recognize that having faith requires a degree of uncertainty. Atheism requires you to put just as much "faith" in "nothing" as theists put in God. The idea of having complete faith in nothing jarred me away from converting to atheism when I suffered trials. Now, a combination of reliance on an unseen God and dutiful questioning makes up the foundation that grants me hope and light. I remain unsure on specific theology for two reasons. First, I often see doctrine as a divider of the Christian body. Second, only a higher being could distinguish perfect theology, and my job is to thrash things out in humility, focusing on the obvious -- such as concern for the poor. I believe God will judge justly, but Christians, like all humans, are prone to judge in error. My focus is to be a peaceful, loving imitator of Christ.

- - - - - ~ - - - - - ~ - - - - -

I could not have presented it better myself.