the hypocrisy of religion

I have been part of the Catholic Church all my life. When I was a baby my parents had me baptized. As a child I underwent two years of classes to receive my first holy communion. Then as a teenager I underwent two more years of classes in order to prepare me for my confirmation. To this day I attend church every (or almost every) Sunday with my family.
Now my whole life I’ve been an inquisitive child. I always wanted to know every thing I could about everything that was out there. So, of course, at an early age I began to question religion. Where do the dinosaurs fit into the bible? Why does the New Testament contradict much of the Old Testament? Why does the bible condone slavery? If murder is wrong, then why do some bible heroes kill people?
Those we just the first questions that began to plague my mind. But since I was a good child, I did not think much of the fact that no one could give me a straight answer for these questions. However with age can not understanding, but more questions. As I began to study history, I came to know of the long and bloody history of our supposed holy church.
Why is it that the faith preaches understanding and forgiveness, but say that all who don’t follow their ways are dammed to a life of eternal suffering in hell? How is this forgiving and understanding?
One other point I could never figure out is why the church forbid everything that we, as humans, what to do. Lust is not a sin. It is a completely natural, biologically caused feeling, every bit as natural as sneezing or feeling tired.
I find it hard to follow a church that protected and defended priests who molested little children. In my mind there is nothing more vile and evil than someone who would corrupt and destroy a child. The church tried to protect these priests by trying to cover it all up, which show that they knew what happened and didn’t care enough to stand up and face it.
Now please try to under stand. I think that religion in its purest most basic form is a beautiful thing. It preaches everything that human beings need to follow for us to live in harmony with nature and each other. It preaches that you should treat your neighbor as you want to be treated. It preaches that murder and stealing is wrong. It preaches peace and love, which are two things our world always seems short of.
However the many Catholic, Christian, and other denomination have become too corrupted by humans. Yes, there is beauty to be found in these churches. But I do not give myself to them body mind and soul. Nor could I ever follow a belief that tells me if don’t follow I’ll be damned. If I believe, I want it to be out of love, not fear of eternal damnation.
Please feel free to comment, but dont attack me for my beleifs. I know the church is not an entirly corrupt organization that only preaches damnation. I know that the church is also a wonderful place where many people have been able to find peace and happiness.