I’m Christian but I don‘t call it a religion because Christianity isn’t a religion for me, it is a relationship.
I'm not religious at all. Never have been, never will be. I don't care too much about whether or not somebody is religious, since it is important to respect other people's religious beliefs even if we don't believe in the same thing. That said, there are two things when it comes to religion that I don't want people to do: I don't want people to try and force their religion on me, and I don't want somebody to use religion as an excuse for unacceptable behaviour.
I had a very similar experience. I questioned everything and never let my elders, parents, or authoritative church figures influence me. To me, it’s not about doing good on earth so i can have a “good” afterlife. It’s being and doing good on earth because that is what is right and what is needed for the future generations. Like, for me I don’t believe the way to fix a massive issue is by praying about it or “giving it to god.” That will never fix the issues we face in todays world. Organized religion really muddies things and bogs it down. That’s why separation of church and state is so important. We’re like two steps away from a freaky handmaids tale situation in the US and it’s kinda scary.I'm agnostic bordering on atheism. I believe there is still so much that humans have yet to learn. I don't think we're anywhere close to knowing everything, so I can't say with any certainty one way or another whether there may be 'higher powers' somewhere out in this vast universe.
Do I believe that humans are the most advanced life forms in all existence? I think it's unlikely. Do I believe there is a single being who created us and everything else in the universe, who listens to our prayers and cares about our humble little lives? Again, I think it's very unlikely.
I was raised as a Christian and went to church regularly during my childhood. I 'believed' because I didn't know there was an option, but I always found myself questioning everything. The biblical stories didn't make sense to me and some of the things my pastors and Sunday School teachers said just flat out horrified me. As a teenager, I started exploring religion. I tried different churches, researched different beliefs from the ones I was raised with. But nothing fit. It never felt right.
Once I gave up my 'beliefs' that had never truly been mine to begin with, it felt very freeing for me. I find far more comfort in believing that when I die I will cease to exist than I ever did believing in Heaven. It's a nice concept and I understand why it's comforting for many, but it's not for me. I don't have a problem being good just for the sake of it. I don't need a reward or the threat of punishment to keep me in line.
I don't judge others for their beliefs. If their religion provides them with solace and makes them happy, then that's all that matters.
I just don't like any religion pushing their beliefs on others.