Mom was Irish and Catholic and my older siblings were raised as Catholics too. Dad was CofE and although both my parents believed in God neither attended church on a regular basis.

By the time of my birth their church attendances amounted to weddings, christenings, funerals plus midnight mass on Christmas Eve for mom and my sisters.

I was born in 1968, the year 'troubles' came to a boiling point over the water. They decided to let me find religion of my own accord should I wish to rather than choose faith for me.

Despite a brief flirtation with Sunday school on dad's behalf they were true to their word. He dropped me off at Sunday school as a four year old and went for his Sunday morning walk. I was bored and didn't want to stay though and simply walked off without saying a word. Nobody came after me to see that I was safe.

Dad came across me as I wandered around alone. When I told him I didn't want to go back to Sunday school again he looked sad rather than mad and said 'well if God had wanted to find you today he would have, he might find you in future though' (or words to that effect) and with that we walked home.

My mom smiled and said 'fair enough son' while my brother and sisters couldn't believe I'd got out of going to Sunday school. They were gutted to find they'd spent most Sunday mornings bored sh itless only to realise all they had to do was get up, walk out never go back.

I haven't found God as yet and as far as I'm aware he hasn't spent much time looking for me. I'm genuinely glad that he's found others and that they can enjoy their time together. It may happen for me at some point but probably won't.