I also appreciate your civilised reply. Having an opposing view to someones religion is not often welcomed and is usually met with hostility.

To answer your question: I was baptised, went to catholic schools (and therefore church and communion) until I was a teenager. My parents were not particularly religious and are now probably atheist ( I won't speak for them). As I was growing up and was exposed to more of the world I questioned everything. Christianity/Catholicism had too many contradictions when it came to the physical world I lived in and I did seek out other religions. One that appealed to me was Wiccan as it spoke of respect for others and nature. After sampling that religion I saw that it too was just an easy answer for our existence.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I say that people start by the light because for the majority of people, they are born into a family of religious faith and are shown that that is the only way from an early age, hence baptism. Religion is a light in the darkness and can provide comfort for anyone, that is true. It can be exactly what someone needs to turn their life around and become a better person to themselves and others. I'm not denying that.
My opinion is, and something to at least consider, is that all these changes towards the better are done entirely within yourself, without divine intervention. A relationship with god, from my point of view, is a relationship with the positivity in your own mind. You find something that was within you all along. An empathy for others and a motivation for constructive endeavours. Conversations with god are conversations with your subconscious mind that drive you to achieve goals and improve your view of your self worth and the worth of those you love.

This is something I realised with the Wiccan religion. Instead of prayers they perform spells. Using plants, colours and oils believed to have various energies to bring about a positive change in their lives from the universe. One example I did was a money spell. I was a teenager and wanted more cash in my life, like a lot of people. I performed this spell, truly believing it would work, and within a couple of months, I had more money! I reflected on the whole experience and noticed that the reason I had more money was because I got a job. The reason I got a job was because I was motivated to get more money. The reason I was motivated was because I did something that made me believe this was going to happen. I was subconsciously thinking about needing more money and sought out the means to achieve this, by looking for work.
Seeking guidance from god is seeking the part of yourself that is capable of achieving the outcome you desire. My belief is that the part played by religion is no longer a necessary step in this process for humanity. We are finding more faith in ourselves.