I abandoned the Catholic Church not long after my "First communion". I have questioned everything since. I figured that kings and noblemen created "God" in order to keep the peace because they have seen what happens when nature worshipers get fed up with the power structure. I was completely okay with being an atheist until I was 21. I was all alone in my backyard (before chickens) and I took a leap of faith. I said out loud "Hey God!, this book says I'm not supposed to ask for proof from you, but if you truly exist, then you created me this way and so you know that I will listen if you will just give me a sign, some kind of sign that I will know". Can you guess what happened next? Yeap, the same that always happens, Nothing. Nothing at all. About three weeks later, I was struck by lightning by the funniest acting cloud I've ever seen. I wasn't hurt, but a good skeptic might think that my synapses were damaged by the event. Anyway, my family is Catholic, but I prefer a more direct approach. My answers may not be your answers, but if you seek, you shall find. I hope that if you get struck by lightning, that you survive long enough to enjoy what you discover!