Walking my Path Without any God

Before we start, I'll just throw in the ever needed disclaimer: I am not trying to change anyone's belief systems. I understand my personal beliefs can be seen as controversial at times, and although I may not agree with ones beliefs I fully respect them and am open to polite/respectful conversation on the matter.

Now, let's get to it. Personally, I do not believe there is a God, or 'higher up' being that has any set of 'rules' or teachings. This is due to the habits of people and the principles that most religions contain.

People tend to come with manipulation in many cases, and I find that for me, it makes sense to believe that religion was started by people who wanted control--whether they wanted control for the safety of their group, manipulation, or any other reason, I simply can't speak on. This makes sense in my mind because after years of searching and reading about different religions, so few of them put their God on the same level, or even remotely close to the people. The concept that I have an issue with is that one (or sometimes more than one) beings are so far above the people who follow them, to me, it has never felt like a real connection could be made.

The idea that there is a God, and God gives or takes something (usually afterlife) to those who do as God says feels like some kind of manipulation to me personally. Sure, I have a moral compass, and prefer to do the nice thing, but alongside my moral beliefs and compass stands the idea that any one being whom is said to be strong enough to create this world, and have these magical majestic powers, must be either strong enough to make everyone the good person that we all seem to strive to be when following a religion, or an extremely egotistical manipulative human being. Once again, just my personal thoughts and beliefs at this time in my life on God, religion, and kinda people, please don't take this as me believing I am correct, or as me telling you what to believe.