I agree with everything you just wrote. And I don't see religion as a problem. I am a Deist.
I guess it's time for me to back up a bit and humbly re-read your comments. Oops and I'm sorry.
I went through a Deist period starting at 18, although back then we were called agnostics. I just looked at organized religion as excuse for abuse and wanted nothing to do with it.
But 10 years later I discovered I was way, way wrong. Sure there are church bad apples that the MSM will run with but the blessing of belonging to a church community is amazing. It becomes your second family, people you can depend on, people you care about and people who care about you.
Sure organized religion has been nasty, (Muslim's trying their best right now) but the bottom line it is not the organization as much as it is the individuals involved. IMHO, you are missing out something wonderful. I dissed a loving community for 10 years , I hope you don't make the same mistake.