In My Own Image

I have always wondered at the nature of God. Why are we the way we are? Why are there so many different types of people, both in culture and physical appearance? Why can the world seem so beautiful and harmonious, and yet so like a garbled complex of organized inadequacies? Why have there been so many gods? Why did people once believe in a polytheistic deity, and now, so many, in a single God? Why do so many cultures have so many ideas as to what that one true God is? Why is it essential that our one idea of God be the correct one? Why can't each person's perception of God be unique, and yet tolerable to all other people? Why are some people sure there is a God? Why do some people doubt? And why are others very sure a God couldn't possibly exist? If there is really a God, did he truly create us in His image? What exactly does it mean to be created in His image? Do we mean physical appearance? Or intellect? Or free will?