I have been where you are, coming from a similar background, and found myself constantly asking question that were similar to those you ask. What I found, given my instilled belief system, was that it was almost impossible to find answers that were not processed through the sausage machine of my upbringing.

It was helpful to me in my search to step right away from any possible preconditions and think of ‘what if’

What if, for example, there was a very advanced civilisation somewhere in the universe, headed by and under the control of a super being.

What if, under the direction of that super being, that advanced civilisation travelled the universe, and at some time had come across planet earth, discovering several types of ape like creatures.

What if, under instructions from that super being, one or some of those ape like creatures were selected as potential, for whatever, and were provided with a means to become capable of interacting with that advanced civilisation.

No reason for believing all this, but thinking of it as ‘what if’ then surely those ape like evolving creatures on planet earth would have concepts of that super person from an advanced civilisation as being God.

As intelligent people, there is no need to go on because the ‘what ifs’ and the potential confusions and consequences are obvious.

But thinking outside the box like this does take us away from the brain washing to which we have been subjected and allows rational answers to rational questions without the plethora of conceptions and misconceptions that have built themselves around religion.

Incidentally, having wallowed in questions for many years, I now believe in all the basics of Christianity, without most of its add-ons.

Just my addition to what you’ve already said, I’m not trying to correct or reprimand anyone.

–Andrew