Dear Religion,
This isn't an easy thing to say, but I think it's time we parted ways. It's not you, it's me. I've come to realize that in having a more Spiritual-centered mentality, all of the things I learned going to church growing up have become more present in my life when opening my lens of vision.
Please don't take this to mean you're not right for some people, because you are. Some people do feel God's presence all around them through following religious practices. For me though, I've felt it all around me since adopting a more Spiritual mindset. I sense God in every living and non-living thing, both in and outside of myself. I've been learning to become more present, that life doesn't have to end in an eternal pit of fire if I don't want to believe it so. If I want, I can believe my spirit will continue eternally in any form.
So Religion, I'm leaving you. Your judgement and guilt aren't for me. I know that some claim that those are signs of God's love, and I can understand that. However for me, I'd much rather think of the universal God as a loving, compassionate one who realizes that my mistakes are simply growing pains. I'd like to talk about controversial issues without having to stick to a side I don't necessarily agree with all of the time and not fear that I've broken some moral code for holding to my beliefs.
Please don't take this personally. Through you people do find their inner peace and connection to God, which is great. Maybe we'll meet up again someday, who knows. But for now, I'm going to focus on the God in everything who's sacredness isn't written about in only one book.
Sincerely, Robert Castillo