Which Religion Is Right? (well they all are…)

G​rowing up religion played a mild role in my family. It wasn’t anything that I truly believed in and for most of my life I always skirted past the ideas of a higher power. I identified as Atheist for a while, but as I experienced things in life I couldn’t deny that there was something else out there, and so I decided it was more accurate to refer to myself Agnostic. That is the space I occupied until a few years ago, when I finally landed on the truth of my beliefs… a combination of them all.

Catholicism — I​ was raised catholic, and attended catholic schools through high school (much to my dismay). I was dragged to church when I was younger, a first it was every Sunday, but then it slowly faded out to special holidays only.In high school, once a month they would corral everyone into the auditorium for group mass. I tried to get out of it by telling people I was Agnostic, but my protests were ignored. Even though I didn’t believe that the wafer was Jesus’s body, I felt it was disrespectful to receive it.

Judaism — I​ went to a SUNY (State University of New York) school so many of my classmates were Jewish (no I don’t know what/why the correlation is). I learned a lot about the Jewish religion from them, we shared Seders and I observed how they celebrated holidays, life, and death. I once questioned a friend about the idea of Jesus and was told “He was a nice man who did cool things. That is all.”

Buddhism — I​ spend a lot of time in Asia and learned about Buddhism — a belief system that I could really stand behind. The idea of enlightenment, reincarnation and old souls really spoke to me. I felt connected to the belief that there wasn’t just one being in ‘control’, that instead there were multiple spiritual guides, each focusing on something different. The main points that stood out were about harnessing minimalism and simply being a kind and thoughtful human being.

Wicca — A​ friend of mine introduced me to Wicca. In all honestly I was more intrigued than committed to the practice, but I did respect the white and dark magic distinctions and the sacraments and ceremonies they held. I could also get behind the belief system of doing good by others and that every action has a consequence.

And while there are hundreds of other religions out there that I’m not familiar with, I believe that the core of them all are the same. I​ am by no means an expert on any of these religions, but I don’t think that it matters, because my take away is what’s important. I believe in aspects of all of them. (Except cults — although those interest me too but in a completelydifferent way… I’m working on a piece about that as well.)

I believe in Mother Nature and Father Time. I believe in Witches, God and Buddha. I believe in morality and good will. Ihave faith in a greater power, I just don’t think it’s just one specific being. I am spiritual and I have faith. I also believe in Science, matter, molecules and evolution.

S​o who do I pray to? Allou.

I​ know what you’re thinking — “Who/what the fuck is Allou.”

A​llou — All Of yoU — That’s whose name I utter when I’m asking for help. That’s who I think of when I want to thank the universe for blessing me with this or that. That’s who I speak to when no one else will listen or I’m not comfortable opening up.

I​’ve never vocalized this before — actually I did once, and I was bombarded with these ridiculous questions… the judgmental tone was intense.

Them — “Are you starting a new religion?”

M​e — “What? No absolutely not.”

T​hem — “Do you have any pamphlets?”

M​e — “Ha. Ha. Very funny”

T​hem — “Aren’t you scared you’re going to hell?”

M​e — “I don’t know that I believe in hell.”

T​hem — “Wow.”

Me -

Them — “Well you can’t just make some shit like that up.”

M​e — “Ok.”

T​hat is probably why I’ve kept it to myself so long. In addition to that people can be very protective and territorial of their beliefs and very quick to push their opinions onto you and shame you for not agreeing with their line of thought. I acknowledge that even writing about this is opening me up for a potential argument.

I know it might be odd… but it’s truly what I believe in my heart, which makes me no different from anyone else who follows an organized religion. No one really knows what’s out there. No one really knows how we ended up here or where we’re going. All we have are our beliefs, and I don’t think we have to choose just one. We should stand behind what works for us… what gives us comfort and peace. I don’t fit into any specific box in life — why should I try to shove myself into one when it comes to religion?

T​hank you for reading! What religion do you follow? Are you feeling a little judgy of mine? Do your beliefs straddle multiple concepts too? Put down your prayer book and head on over to the comments!

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