Let us talk about maturity and taking personal responsibility for ourselves. There is something of value beyond dependence on an another person or religious doctrine. A truly mature person does not need a crutch to lean upon. Each of us can stand tall in the realisation that we are independent and strong in the knowledge of our own self esteem. That is a total acceptance of ourselves as persons of worth. A coming to the realisation that each of us is fully complete. That all the power and virtue to live fully and beautifully is within each of us. Alone in the world, yes, but every man and woman is a brother or a sister. So that we are alone in the company of a vast body of other friendly human beings.

There is a verse in the New Testament which says, "When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult I put an end to childish ways." (1 Cor. 13:11). A child needs to be dependent on a parent or guardian for all of childhood but only until he or she grows up. Personal maturity and integrity cannot be found in religion, mainly because faith in religion constitutes a permanent state of childish dependence on something or a person outside the self. It robs the individual of private and personal direction and total responsibility. It also robs one of the dignity and personal rewards of integrity.

Those who are genuinely searching for reality will not be able to tolerate conflict of ideas within themselves. The time will come when you need to take courage and make a decision either to live with a niggling doubt about miracles and the immutable laws of the universe or to step out and be true to yourself. Being true to oneself results in a state known as personal unity; a way of living a socially acceptable life without inner mental conflict.

We don't need to fear those mythical gods any more. We look to science and common sense reason to answer our uncertainties. If you have enough courage, you will find you really are capable of trusting your own integrity and humanity as a person of worth in your own right-Give it a try, just trust yourself, you may be surprised how virtue becomes natural to you.

As we travel the world we find that wherever we go, people have the same hopes and needs. We all seek happiness. You and I are human animals living in a community of other human beings. We all need enough food and shelter. We all want love, friendship and respect from others. We all benefit socially and individually by showing compassion, being honest, tolerant, friendly and obeying the laws of the country. It is time to grow up and take responsibility individually for ourselves.

I began rejecting one aspect of religion after another. First to go was the creation myth then the impossible virgin birth followed by the impossible story of the resurrection of Jesus and all the miracles. Finally I rejected the whole Christian concept with the God many worship.

The evidence of maturity is the ability to stand alone without depending on religious props from outside of oneself. When a person can honestly say '1 am a person of worth in my own right and take responsibility for myself,' he or she is approaching maturity. We do not need to borrow virtue from Jesus or any one else. Borrowed virtue is pseudo-virtue. It is illogical and totally unreal to expect that virtue can be transferred to a person who has not earned it.

We can live an honest and useful life;

not because we are compelled to do so but because we are people of integrity. Make no mistake about it, there are many rewards to be had from living an honourable life. Humane or social ideas will often overrule personal ambitions and become an integral part of each one of us. Maturity eliminates inner conflict. Thus we gain peace of mind, liberty, balance, strength, health and more. If you can accept that God is a myth dreamed up by our ancient ancestors out of their ignorance and fear, you will reap immediate rewards of freedom, greater vitality and the joy of living in the present as a person of worth and integrity in your own right.