Answers, please.

Living in New York has given me many new perspectives to the way I view countless things. One of the aspects of my life that I've questioned most since coming here is my faith in God. I recently had a really good discussion with a friend concerning religion and faith, and I heard something that has had me thinking ever since. Friend grew up in a very different background then me concerning religious beliefs, and something was said along the lines of "...religion is something that people turn to for answers to all of life's questions". I had to think about the explanation for a minute, but after it sunk in, I realized how, on surface level, it seems so true. When something goes wrong, when there are decisions to be made, when comfort is to be received, we turn to God. When we need fulfillment, company, direction, when we're looking for purpose in our lives, we turn to God. In treatment for any addiction, you're told to search for a "higher power" to help pull you through - again, answer to a problem.
I know what I believe concerning religion...but why is it that I believe in those things? Because I truly think it's the truth, or because it's been ingrained into me after years of private education and Sioux county living? If I had grown up any way other than how I did or where I did, would I still believe these same things? The answer is most likely no. And you're probably thinking - but that was God's plan...for you to grow up in the home you did with the beliefs you did. But what if it wasn't "God's plan", but rather just "destiny". Who's to say that friend isn't right. Not only friend, but 90% of the people living on this little island I now call home. Why is it that I'm loosing my faith after being detached from the Sioux County bubble? It may be because I'm not actively participating in anything concerning that part of my life, or maybe because I'm seeing it all in a different light.
Moving this far away on my own has brought invaluable independence that can be gained no other way, and I realize now this includes reformation of my ideas and beliefs in all aspects of life. It's daunting...taking in this much, choosing what you want to believe for yourself when you grew up being taught what the "right way" is. But after all of this time struggling to maintain a relationship with God, I can't help but wonder what is the truth. It seems so naive to believe what I was taught growing up is the truth, the "right way", immediately categorizing a major part of the rest of the world as being "wrong".
I would ask God for direction, some sort of sign that I'm on the right path, but then again, I'd just be looking for an answer to one of life's questions.