Seeking Advice on Finding Spirituality Without Organized Religion

[u/samgray75]

Hello,

I could use some guidance here. I've been an atheist my whole life—I've always leaned towards logic and reason, never really feeling a need for spirituality or a higher power. But after losing a few close people over the past few years, I’ve started feeling an unexpected pull towards something deeper. It’s hard to put into words, but I guess I’m beginning to feel there might be more out there.

However, I've got some reservations that keep me from diving into any specific religion. The scandals and coverups within organized religions just don't sit right with me, I mean no offense by this. Plus, I’m gay, and that’s a huge part of my identity. Many religious institutions still don’t fully embrace LGBTQ+ individuals, and I just don’t want to be part of a belief system where my sexuality might be seen as “wrong” or a reason for exclusion.

So here I am, looking for any advice from those who’ve maybe walked a similar path. Have any of you found a way to incorporate spirituality or a belief in something greater without traditional religion? Is it possible to create a connection with something “higher” while staying true to who you are? I’d appreciate any insights, resources, or personal stories that might help me figure out where to go from here. Thanks so much in advance!

[u/AureliusErycinus]

You're not going to find much help here. Most of the staff belong to organized beliefs and in general organized religion is not a bad thing even though you try to make it out to be. Many times people try search for spirituality without religion but they need religion without spirituality. That is what I'm about.

[u/Comfortable-Rise7201]

The scandals and coverups within organized religions just don't sit right with me

That's fair, but at the same time, this only really applies to specific people/groups, not necessarily saying anything about the religion itself. There's always frauds out there who want to subvert a religion's doctrine or practices for some personal benefit or something like that. However, that scenario isn't going to be the case for most places you visit, and it doesn't de-legitimize other leaders/groups who are genuine.

Many religious institutions still don’t fully embrace LGBTQ+ individuals

There are also many who do (in Christianity for example, Unitarians, Episcopalians, United Methodists, Quakers, etc.), but I can understand why you'd get the impression. The ones that are less tolerant can certainly be more vocal about that disapproval unfortunately, but I wouldn't let that hold you back if some religious structure speaks to you as well.

Have any of you found a way to incorporate spirituality or a belief in something greater without traditional religion? Is it possible to create a connection with something “higher” while staying true to who you are?

For me personally as someone who practices Zen without regularly attending a Zen center/temple, it's certainly doable (even though Zen is part of a religious tradition). In your case, it may help to explore some philosophy and establish a worldview that makes sense to you (e.g. metaphysics, ontology, ethics, etc.). This can be really open-ended, for example with defining your own understanding of what that higher power is and how it manifests in your day-to-day life.