Religious VS Spiritual

DISCLAIMER*
If you are super religious, this may not be the blog for you.
I wrote this from my heart without any intention of offending or insulting anyone.
I grew up as a Christian, just so you know.

It was quite interesting for me that during my undying love for TV-binging, I came across the idea that I live in a country where people tend to be more spiritual than religious. I was born into Christianity by default, without a doubt--without a choice of my own, that's just how things were. And I ran with it, all my life. It wasn't so bad, but it wasn't so much good or bad, I actually did not know. Thinking or analyzing it as a child who attended children's worship service, you get to think about these things, but you just flow with it--without a doubt. If you are surrounded by people with the same religious background, you never ask how, why and what actually. So as time passed by, quickly I started to notice why are there different types of Christians? Also, all of whom I know and noticed to be utterly judgemental and uber judgey! They comment about each and every little thing you wear, you talk, you live your life, I MEAN-EVERYTHING. What is up with that? So I still continued further, getting baptized and all, the whole shabang shenanigans of being a good Christian. I noticed that as Christians, the main theme for weekly preachings was the feeling of GUILT, that--or FEAR. Either or, some weeks--it's feeling guilty all the time for doing this, or not doing that, being like this, or not being that. Then there are weeks, that they often bash on other types of Christians, and that you need to "fear that if you leave this religious sector--you will go to hell, and you will not be saved!" yadah yadah so fort and so on. 

Ok, really? Should I be worried that if I don't lock myself in this so-called box and follow blindly, that I will go to hell, 'coz God-knows how kind I am deep inside my heart, but hey--

I deeply felt like that was truly disturbing to teach to every individual that was part of the church. I felt as if I was treated not as an individual created by a God that was not guilt-trippin', fear-inducing, mass-hysteria vibing type of deal. I mean, this was supposed to be a safe place for me to practice religion right? 

But, I was scared. 

I know that listening to the teachings of the bible was one thing, and it felt awesome,  but the people that surrounded me, it felt displaced and misaligned to the very soul and core of my being. The looks that they gave me each time were judging me, always. How do I know this? Because they actually told you to your face. NO LIE.

So just like sand, tightly fisted in your hand, I slipped away--little by little until I finally had a grasp of air and saw the beautiful sunlight rising from the horizon that I never even noticed was there.

I left, and I never looked back. And for the very first time in my adult life, I was purely happy that God led me right where I needed to be, this God entity--the master of the Universe, that energy-vibe all over, it's frikkin' real. I was able to let go and go back to my core to understand and learn that the Universe is within us, as we are in it. I have never felt so spiritual once I was able to let go of organized religion and went back to myself. It was a direct connection with my Maker, as my faith grew stronger especially when I was able to dismantle all the judgement that arose from other individuals.

My love for humanity grew deeper as my spirituality grew further.