Although I have included the word 'believe' in the title of this page. I am not too certain as to whether I have any beliefs as such. However, I shall put down my thoughts, which may become beliefs over time or may remain just thoughts.

In my search I have examined numerous religious faith systems and, although I can accept some of their tenets I am unable to subscribe to any single structured religion.

As an example let us look at the New Testament. Here Jesus is quoted as saying "Let him without sin cast the first stone". I cannot disagree with that and go as far as to suggest that before we rush to condemn something or person, we look to our own behavior.

Basically I am saying it is possible to 'cherry pick' all faiths for guides as to how we conduct our selves as we tread life's precarious paths, without alighting on one particular faith.

This has always proved a major stumbling block for me. I cannot accept the idea of a supernatural being or entity that is guiding us through life. This is where faiths and religions and myself part company. That is not to say that I think all those who follow a God are wrong, it's just that I haven't found one yet.

I see the creation of God/s as a reason to explain the unexplainable. It is easier to say 'it is the work of God' when faced with a situation that the science of the day is unable to come up with an answer. However, as science and the understanding of human nature grows, there appears to be less for a God/s to be responsible for, the table below demonstrates what I mean. The red is the sum of our knowledge, whilst the Purple is what we cannot explain and credit to God/s.

As can be seen the more we learn the less the need for God/s

I do not accept the conventional notion of life after death. That is we, either go to a higher place or reincarnate in another form. However, I believe that we can keep a departed one 'alive' by remembering them. I'll use a preeminent figure as an example, Elvis Presley. Although his physical presence is no longer with us, he still 'lives on' through his music and the memories of those who witnessed his live performances and films. As for the physical body, I have found the Pantheist view closest to my own reasoning. They see "death as the return to nature of our elements". However - like all belief systems - I take issue with their next view "the end of our existence as individuals", as the previous sentence shows.

Once again I am sympathetic to the Pantheist view that the marvels of nature are something to behold. As I have said earlier, I draw my inspiration from a wide range of sources, various religions , Shakespeare, poets and modern pop lyrics.

One of the most profound views of mankind is Wilfred Owen's line "Was it for this that the clay stood tall" Equally as powerful is Shakespeare's "To thine own self be true". To me that is good example of a yardstick with which we should test ourselves.

In the mid Sixties pop music gave us people such as Bob Dylan, of whom it is said " Dylan freed the mind they way Elvis freed the body". This type of songwriter, lyricist or poet - or whatever epithet one wants to use - tackled social issues in a fresh bold way. They revolutionized pop music and reached out to a wide audience. Who at the same time were finding their own voice and freedoms. Issues which had been taboo in popular culture were being sung about, politics, poverty and religion. These subjects were accompanied by music that made them attractive to an audience that had not really given much thought to them before.

In today's world, where rampant commercialism and Mammon seem to rule, one could be forgiven for thinking that 'protest song' would no longer be around. How wrong, the singer/songwriters of today are writing some of the most profound lyrics ever. People of the calibre of George Michael and Robbie Williams are writing lyrics that represent the way in which the world appears to be heading.

They seem to be writing from experience, both have had very public 'private lives', with a fair share of personal inner torment.