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Whether or not it's difficult to be a good person depends on so many variables, but by and large I think it is hard to consciously follow a moral and ethically positive path. Children are selfish because they are taught to be so, and later we (hopefully) unteach them. (By taught, I mean they are totally taken care of and looked over and waited on, etc). As they mature, they learn to pay it forward. (Usually). The adults have to lead by example, something we all fail at to some degree, but we should try as best we can. Religion can provide direction, but I think it's so important to use the brain that God gave you as well. To me, it seems life would be easier for an atheist. I think most people are innately good, but for those who believe you have to adhere to a certain system of rules and structure or you fall into the sinful category, it's a struggle. Then you have the whole 'leap of faith' thing, which can be very difficult to reconcile in that we humans tend to demand tangible proof before believing in things.
I get irritated by the Jimmy Swaggerts and pervy priests, but they do not affect my belief system in any way. There have always been hypocrites and criminals, and no religion (or non-religion) is immune from the human factor.
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