Same here. I was not great at school. But, when i was interested about something, i was able to do well in it.

I hated "studying religion" from the "you have to believe in this" -perspective, but theology as a concept interested me. Would have rather have studied that instead of being force-fed jesus is our savior -shit and forced to sign hyms orchestrated by our overly zealous religious teacher.

This is how went for me too. I just rebelled against the forced religion bullshit at early ages and when i got old enough to have thoughts my own i just realised it just a adult storybook people take in to heart.

Im pretty sure i would have come in to this conclusion even if i had not been fed christian bullshit from early age anyways, but it certainly helped as it left me with a serious distaste to all religious crap for years to come.