What is absolute?

A few months ago I was aimlessly browsing through the orkut profiles of my friends on orkut when I chanced across a sentence somewhere in someones 'About me' section that caught my distinct attention. In describing himself (herself), this person had written the following:

'I draw great strength from my family and friends and therefore I'm not very religious'.

I couldn't understand what it was about this that struck me as odd. Something about it caused it to stick out like a splinter in my head. I couldn't put a finger on it and I didn't give it much thought. Recently I found myself reading the same words of the same Orkut profile. Again it struck me as odd. It was then that I realized what it was. about it that had bothered me. I realised that I did not agree with the implied purpose of religion that this sentence was attempting to portray. Was it true that one didn't need religion or spirituality if one had good family and friends? In other words, was religion a substitute for friends and family?

Well I have good family and friends but I find I still resort to the almighty in times of need. What then, is the important of religion and spirituality in our lives if we are constantly surrounded by friends and family? I think the former distinguishes itself by providing an absolute ideal where friends and family can only provide temporary cushion, sometime obligatory, flexible as needed and in keeping with the times. Religion (or spiritualism, whatever term one may chose to use) gives us a path that will remain the absolute ideal, the absolute truth, one that will always remain correct, irrespective of day and age. relatives and friends can give one strength but the existence of an absolute emanates only from faith in godhood alone. This is my conviction.