I was raised in a Catholic grade school, surrounded by my Irish born parents and family.   I believed (cafeteria style) until I was 50, when my parents passed, and I realized I was going through the motions because I couldn't bear to tell them I didn't believe.   Now, there is nothing clearer to me than the thought that this world is all there is.  I find great meaning and blessings in my life, and am motivated by the thought that I want to be remembered by family and friends as someone who worked to leave the world a better place than he found it.   I feel that believers have created a "Heads I win, tails you lose" relationship with the God they have created in their own image.   When something good happens, it's God's will/blessing.  When disaster, or poor health strikes, or a highly prayed for loved one is killed by an IED in Afghanistan, then God works in mysterious ways and it is not for us to question Him.   I just can't accept that any more, but I'm happy if it works for you.