I appreciate your encouragement. Thankfully, I don't think I feel down about any of this. But I am a little perplexed about how to proceed.

I'll add that I've never been one who puts much faith in institutions. I have a naturally cynical nature. But I think my loss of faith is more that I don't see why I should believe in God when it pretty much could be the same as believing in any imaginary thing.

This sounds harsh to my ears, but I'm trying to put it as bluntly as I can to make sure it's clear.