Normally I would reply with something as long as 15 pages on this topic but knowing very well that it would cause a whole lot of friction and very heated argumentation on something that no scientists nor any religious beings can bring evidences to support their opinions as whether God exist or not. As a scientist I do not believe in god per se... I do not believe in religion being connected to god's wishes. I do not certainly not believe in the God from the Old/New Testament, Qu'ran and the other similar doctrinal code of conduct.
I do believe however that each and everyone should live their lives as they wish because after all; this life is the one you are called Jake, Simon, Matthew or Lucy (if you wish) this life is the one you are conscious about and if religion and god make you happy and secure your soul, than go with it. To all my religious buddies, the deal between us is that they never ever quote me the bible or any other religious books to explain something important, because being atheist and a social scientist they know very well that I have all those books in my personal library and I can easily and quickly find the exact opposite of their saying within the same gospel. And so far it works very good.