I've had issues with religion for a very long time. Since I was about 5 I think. Lately, after considering some of the information i've come across in my liberal arts classes @ Ringling College, I am beginning to believe that religion is the single greatest destructive power that man has ever created. Although I am a non-believer, I respect others who have religions who DO NOT try to impose them on others...
As for why religion (and christianity in general) continues to have an effect on me I say "Since I grew up in the bible belt where people continuously tell me I would go to hell if I have an unnatural hair color, or don't believe, or shave my face, or do anything they don't want me to do, it will always have an effect on me."