A new poll shows that one in every four Canadians are comfortable saying they do not believe in a God.

The Canadian Press/Harris-Decima survey also indicated:

* Women (76%) were more likely than men (67%) to say they believed in a God.

* Canadians over 50 (82%) were far more likely than those under 25 (60%) to say they believed in a God.

* English Canadians (73%) were more likely than French Canadians (67%) to say they believed in a God.

The stats were gathered following phone interviews with about 1,000 people across the country.

When we look at these numbers, one question comes to mind: Is religion giving God a bad name?

The problem with nearly all religions is that they are either too narrow and exclusionary or too vague and ambiguous.

Some do not have boundaries and anything goes.

Others are too restrictive and insist you belong and comply or face damnation.

Most major religions thrive by making their followers feel inadequate and unworthy.

Fear, shame and guilt are the cornerstones of the world’s biggest religions.

Problems associated with your daily routine are blamed on your lack of goodness and virtue.

Adversity comes calling because you are not following your religious tenets closely enough.

Etc. Etc.

Oh, and don’t forget that most of our wars are caused by religious politics, not God.

Being religious has nothing to do with being Godly.

Religion is but a man made tool, a human invention that we rely upon to try and fathom what our limited minds won’t let us grasp.

Which brings us to the question: Do you really need to belong to a religion?

There is really no simple answer to that.

But one thing is for sure.

Having a spiritual dimension helps us live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

That’s about living with compassion, forgiveness, and love - not rituals, penance and revenge.

Do we really need religions that preach hellfire if you do not follow, religions that set themselves up as morally superior to others, or religions that decree women are inferior to men?

We asked you at the outset if religion is giving God a bad name.

Only you can answer that, for yourself.