Very well written. I really enjoy reading the posts from the Atheists on this site.

I know exactly how you feel, for the lacking education department. I did get to go to public school. (Unlike my sister who went to a private school full time except for her senior year)

As I was cleaning out the garage I was reflecting on how I'm 25 and how much farther ahead I'd be if at a young age I was encouraged to pursue education and a career path.  

I found myself wondering. What the hell did my mom try to teach me... I ran across these books I was given as a teen... "Letters from God to Teens" "God are you there?" & some fat book to use to study the bible.

 So like you and many others out there... we were force fed God as a critical life tool that did nothing productive for us. 

Thanks for sharing your essay.