Bugs I feel kinda the same way, but am an atheist through and through. My parents let me explore all kinds of religions growing up and didn’t encourage or discourage any. One opinion I formed in this exploration is that religion is built on the arrogance of mankind and helps him feel divine. We need to feel special and have meaning or purpose in life.
Many of the mainstream religions even go so far as saying that we were created in the image of god. Imagine! They see themselves as mini-me GODS running around! This explains the sense of entitlement, righteousness, and superiority the pious tend to have. These religions, to me, are more human-worship than true spiritualism.
I don’t think religion causes violence. I think we are violent without it and religion is one of many excuses to unleash our inner barbarity. If we’re not fighting about religion it’s about color or origin or race or land or language or resources or government. Religion is a good way to amass an army, though.
