Questions: Religion & Spirituality

So I was reading an article, it stated "Researchers found that Muslims perceive significant bias against them. Seventy-five percent of respondents said there’s “a lot” of discrimination against Muslims in the U. S. Sixty percent of Muslims—and 68 percent of Muslim women—said media coverage of Muslims is unfair. And when respondents were asked about the most important problems facing U. S. Muslims today, the most popular answers included “discrimination, racism, [and] prejudice,”

I was born and raised christian, but ever since I was 15 ish, I've contemplated whether or not there was ever a real, wholesome god who, who sculpted man, or produced the divine, the ultimate universe, who looked upon me and cared for my well being, etc etc. It all seemed a bit fishy to me.

To name a certain pattern in my life, ill tell you the list of lies anyone may have endured: Santa clause, the boogy monster, stories with monsters, the Easter bunny, etc. Basic kiddy stuff right? Well, I suggested that this pattern of lies was maybe leading to something bigger... After all. These characters are just that. A myth, fantisized, fabricated. Is god fabricated as well? Only designed to help Man cope with the difficult struggles of life? Hmm...

Of course, these were just some basic thoughts in my little head, but since I cannot be proved otherwise, I have slowly pushed myself into atheism...

I could go on for more than 2000 characters to explain some of the stories I would have liked to tell, but im willing to hear what you have to say.

If you are going through anything similar to what I am, I would love to hear!

A fellow on here said that he thought I was being mean for questioning s lot of religious teaching and I found this... strange. I thought I'd open it up to GaG at large.

How do you tell either?