Dear enki,
New word for today, Respect.
Understanding the atheist, that's the goal.
Fair point. I'll try to answer it. I was brought up in a non Christian household, so the only influence Christianity had on me would probably have been through my early schooling, although to be honest, apart from appearing in a Nativity play, I cannot think of one instance where Christianity played any part in my life. Later I became a member of a Methodist Youth fellowship and Club. Apart from the useful ability to meet other people, especially girls, the interminable sermons on Sundays only had the predictable(in my case) outcome of boring me. I cannot remember today even one single sermon. None of the people I met, apart from my obvious interest in people of my own age, had any discernible affect upon me.
Let me start by saying, Church was boring, I had a read of Outriders reply to me ( I will try to reply to his post ) he also mentioned boredom, so a quick note to any Christians who might be interested, if you are genuinely interested in gaining new followers, think on.
When you say you later became a member of the Methodist youth fellowship, can I assume that you grew up in an age where Church gave the best chances for meeting others of your own age group, see!! reading your post I am forming an impression that Christianity had more of an impact than you realise.
However, when I went to university, I met all sorts of different people with different religious views,including local Jewish people, Catholics, Cof E, Methodists, a Sikh, several Indians and a Jew who had started his own version of religion called Rational Theism. Having no set beliefs, myself, I came to the naive conclusion that if only people were confronted with people who were just as steadfast in their own beliefs as they themselves were, then people would respect the religious persuasions of others as being of equal worth to their own. Consequentially I started a series of meetings between some of these people, which lasted some time. Unfortunately I have to say that the 'true for me, true for you' attitude pervaded and I became quite disillusioned that my grand design had resulted in epic failure. Ah, the enthusiasm of youth. 
However, what my university years did do, and, I suppose one might say that people's varying views on religion(Christianity being but one) had an effect on, was help sow the seeds of the position which I now hold.
Once again I see that Christianity/religion is playing a part in your upbringing but I can only agree that this "one true way" is a big stumbling block, maybe one truth we can all take from this and other threads/posters is that religion/faith is a very personal thing, actually as I think about this, it is bleedin! obvious but I am open to others arguing against this.
As far as the Gospels are concerned. I see much that is enlightening and useful in them, but I see much that is enlightening in other books too.(E.G., for me, Shakespeare).
The Gospels are the starting point for me, more importantly the Two Greatest Commandments ( sorry, when I say starting point, I mean, understanding ) you may have noticed that I am a big Karen Armstrong fan, she mentions that practice comes first and then belief ( my simplistic understanding of her message ).
If you see some of the Gospels as enlightening and useful, and you practice them, then belief is not my department, that's Gods.
Perhaps it might be fair to say that Christian culture has influenced me, almost by proxy, helping to formulate my present views, for good or ill.
Christianity has shaped you in some way, would you be annoyed if I call you a "cultural Christian".
I have no problem in opening up as you call it, but only when people seem genuinely interested, otherwise I would be simply boring the pants(skirts?) off them.
Never boring, atheists on this forum make me think, the list is too long to mention all the names, I will simply say, enter stage left old almost sensible.
Great. I can be just as easily fascinated by a book on bird migration, the latest ideas in quantum biology or a book I'm ploughing through at the moment.('Miracles' by C.S.Lewis)
C.S Lewis, had a quick look, sounds a bit Vladdish.
I can only suggest that in my case any moral feelings that I may have are evolutionary in nature, tempered by my nurture, culture and a rational approach.
Sorry but from your post a big part is culture, a drip feed effect, I don't mean that in a bad way but I do think Christianity has affected you quite a bit.
Or indeed from theists shouting from the roof tops about all the great work done by Oxfam or Amnesty International.
Oxfam and Amnesty, oh! they have both stepped away from any Christian connection but they have been influenced, but that is not my point, I don't decry charities which are non religious, my point is privilege, but maybe privilege is the wrong word, could the word be respect.
Thanks for answering the question for me. Actually, where the money goes is pretty important to me, as well as considering if the charity is well managed. The only way being an atheist affects any money I may give is if the aim of the charity/organization is to further their religious message(which includes Christianity, of course). Yes, if their aim is one which I do not agree with, then why should I support it, and, instead, then why should I not choose a charity whose aim is to help people in need? (which was part of my original response which you quite accidentally of course, missed out)
Well first I have to state the obvious, they want your soul for Jesus, they want to further their religious message, but going back to my last sentence, do they deserve privilege, respect, I don't see how you can argue against, without Christian charities the government/NHS would be snowed under.
Gonnagle.
