Religion: who, what, where, why?!!!

Skip this post if you're not open to impartial when it comes to religion.

NOTE: that I respect each person's belief regarding religion, we are entitled to our own opinions.

Today I received a e-mail from one of the readers regarding my previous post in which I've mentioned about Vatican's wealth, I will keep the person's name anonymous. the question was:
"what is your problem with the Vatican?"
Note: the person was polite and I have no issue whatsoever with his question, therefore I don't want to be misunderstood.

My "issues" with Vatican(and not only) are:
- why do they need a bank?
- why do they have their own laws?
- why do they ask for money(for tickets) in order to see the pope?!
- why can't ordinary people go in the Vatican library and see at least some(if not all) ancient documents?! -- as a believer you should be entitled to see(under surveillance or whatever, it doesn't matter) -- do they have something to hide?!?!
- the "why" list goes on...

I am what you call a "atheist" -- I wasn't raised like this, but in time I started to question a lot of things regarding religion(and not only) and I came to the conclusion that people tend to believe in "stuperstitial" stuff before science(NOTE: that NOT ONCE but a lot of times, religions have tried to ban early science because they hate questions to which they have to answer with proof -- why?! simply because you cannot explain religion...).

Let's NOT forget the deaths with the crusades "in the name of god" -- really now, do we have to kill people because they don't believe in our god or because they don't believe in anything?! my answer is NO(what's your answer?!), each individual has the right to own opinions.

I believe that the religions where started because people needs to believe in something in order to go over the hard life, however, from ancient times until now the religion was used as a control tool with each occasion, remember the history classes in which you've learned about how priests where selling "places in heaven"?! Ohhh... yea the same people who are preaching the "word of god" and the same people which added text in the "holly bible".

My main issue is with the influence of the pope(and priests), I mean we're teached in school about god and all that stuff in stead of being educated on how to behave in society and how to be hard worker and a honest person.

When I was young I've read a lot of holly books and the more I read the more I've found out how it contradicts itself and that is very, very hard on taking actions against non-belivers -- again, can you see a pattern?! YES, either you're with us or against us!!

The main issue with people is that a huge percent of them are like sheeps, they refuse to think or to have own opinions, the biggest problem is that they almost never question what's happening around them, they take for granted what others tell them(why should I bother to think?! I already have the answer... -- oh-ho-ho, but DO YOU?) -- this leads to mass manipulation.

I know most of the people don't like history, however, try to read a bit when you have time but don't forget that history is written by the victor -- never forget that!! -- you will see a lot of dirty things regarding religion and not only, manipulation schemes and other!

I'm pretty sure that a lot of you out there won't agree with what I've written above and very few will.., I'm waiting for your comments, however please be polite, we are humans(we're supposed to be polite with each other) after all...

Question more, don't stop at first answers, don't be afraid to ask "dumb" questions, silence is NOT the answer!