I left it because Islam isn't the religion for me. I also studied Sunni as well. I have stated before that I was very attracted to the Buddha's teachings since I was 12, and I thought Buddhism suited me better. I strove to be a very good Muslim when I was one. I was moderate, kind, giving, mild-mannered, because I believed and still believe this is true Islamic ethics.
hmm.. it touches my heart to hear you my dear brother in islam had left Islam for whatever reason. But I had my respect for U, as I believe in the quran saying "for you your religion and for me my religion" It hurts me even more to know that U had to strive to be a good muslim. I dun know why U had to strive for that. A good muslim is not for people or one self to judge. A muslim is himself for Allah.. and non-muslim is for other than Allah.. and It is Allah who judge your goodness in your heart.. not your deeds.. as HE said in the Quran ".. and I created U and your deeds".. and your deeds come from your intention.. and HE is the ONE who made the intentions appears inside your heart.. and always the intentions by your Nafs (who made U away from your god) and by your Ruh (who is always in need of the knowledge of God)
With regard to many sects in Islam.. it is because muslims fail to recognize the true Islamic spiritual leader (walidul mursyida) at every particular time. The Prophet already mention that there will no more prophets after me.. and He did mention that the continuity of my religion will be on the ulama of the zaman (century).. and this Ulama is continue to renew the same teachings of the Prophet that suit the particular period of time.. till this time.
The shi'ite sects were from the time of Saidina Ali (karamallahwajha), Saidina Hussin and Hassan (son of Sdna Ali) who were the spriritual Islam leader (walidul mursyida) at that time. As time goes by, the spritual leader person of Islam (only one true leader at a time, who carry with them the lights of prophets knowledge) changes from one person to the other after they had passed away. But not the followers, who do not want to or fail to recognize the next true spiritual leader person of Islam after their death. Only true followers who recognize the true leader.. like the companion who recognize the Prophet Muhammad.. because they were touched by Divine Presence in their heart, not by the action of person.
The history had storied to us.. the followers of Prophet Moses, who are the Jews, fail or do not want to recognize the Prophet Jesus as the next spiritual leader who carry the lights of God's knowledge.. and they exist till today and I'm not sure whether their teachings is still relevant or not. The same goes to the followers of the Prophet Jesus, who are the Christians nowadays, fail or do not want recognize Prophet Muhammad as the next prophet who carry the light's of Gods knowledge..
And now, followers of Prophet Muhammad, fail or do not want to find who is the true spiritual leader person of Islam who carry the same teachings of Islam as Prophet Muhammad time but suit for this present time. It has been more than 1400 of Hijrah years since the last prophet had left us with His teachings and continued via many of His ulama, once at a time, as recognized by the true hearts of Islam. The lights of God's knowledge will never change from the time of Prophet Adam till the end... and always it will make people recognize HIM (ALLAH) as GOD to human kind with full of LOVE.. other than that is only following their NAFS within, who job to veil from knowing the true GOD..
May ALLAH give HIS hidayah to whom so ever HE wishes...
Be a Muslim..till U became a Mukmin (the believer).. with the hope to be recognized by Allah ( not by human) as a Muhsin
Forgive me...