Like you , I also gave up on the catholic church. My reason had to do with the priests abusing young boys and the church moving them from parish to parish instead of turning them over to the authorities to hold them responsible for their crimes. That told me all I needed to know about the bishops and the pope.
I believe in a God or Creator as some faiths teach, we didn't evolve from apes , if we had there would be no apes left on earth.
I have experienced astral projection and it is similar to your experience except there was no being taken to a white light. It was being like superman just flying through space without having the body holding you back. Kind of scary though the first time, wondering if your mind / soul will find its way back to the body. But after doing it a few times it was just shear enjoyment.
Take care.
Until next time,
@sultnpapper