I once saw a graph of number of human innovations in Europe vs time and it showed exponential or at least linear growth with a dip towards dark and middle ages. I don't know how accurate it was but this is one. Second, religion is a highly evolved parasite if I may liken it to an organism. It coexists and even suppressed logical (philosophical and scientific) inquiry for long periods of history and still does. It is a kind of chameleon that pretends to be peaceful and docile when weak and minority and turns to monster with the slightest sign of increasing power. A kind of supremacist /nazi ideology but ordained by a holy supernatural more than life entity (at least nazi /communist/ other despotic phenomena never claimed holiness and supernatural; if they did, good luck eradicating them. Can you imagine if nazi members started saying, nazism is good but hitler/humans misused it) I digress. In any society, if unleashed, a religion will always be a cancer that consumes the body and tries to devour and displace all others.

Years of observation and then asking for proof and getting none

Because there is zero legitimate evidence that it is true.

I've always had a problem with "authority". I have always questioned. It's in my nature I think. Some times it's just "what you have" and are born with in general. Certain people are predisposed to certain things. I guess it's also how I was raised. Some things just set off your bullshit meter.

The main issue for me is all the god stuff. Everything I know tells me there are no gods, so from that I assume religion isn't for me.

All of the above!

Have been against organized religion since my teens. It divides people- has a my god is better than your god philosophy, stick with your own kind and inhibits diversity. Diversity is the key to this society growing and world peace.

The short answer is yes. But, beyond that none of it makes any sense--there are constant contradictions and things that are physically impossible are touted as fact.