Spiritual Guidance On Organized Religion

Sitting at a local café, drinking my smoothie, I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation behind me. They were talking loudly and were not really going out of their way to be discreet by any means. The one girl was talking about how her mother had passed. She spoke of chemotherapy and did not want the same ordeal for her friend, who is obviously going through something similar.

She then shared a story of how her aunt called her a few weeks ago and told her about a dream she had. In this dream the aunt was visited by the girl’s departed mother, who told her that if she could do it all over again, she would do two things  differently when she was alive. She would not have taken the chemotherapy and she would not have spent so much time in church.

There is only one religion, though there are a hundred versions of it ~ George Bernard Shaw

This brought them to the bulk of the conversation: religion. They spoke about how there has been more negative things, in their opinion, going on in organized religion and how most spiritual comfort for them has come from other avenues. They discussed how God has always shown Himself to them through other means. One girls said she constantly feels she is being judged by others who call themselves Christian, or Catholic.

Later, I sat in my car and pondered a few things. I was raised Methodist and I have gone to church on and off throughout my life. In the process I have encountered some pretty darn depressed people. In my view church is supposed to uplift, inspire and make one feel more connected to the Divine. This was not always my experience at church.

On the other hand, I have also known many folks who do not practice any specific religion and do not belong to any particular organized religion, and they seem to be, honestly, some of the happiest people I have ever known.

I decided to go to my meditation garden and call upon spirit, to ask if it really does help one’s soul to go to church. Or can we get close to God just by praying at home, spending time in nature and doing things that uplift us?

I have always felt God is wherever we find him, and as long as you are a good person and do no harm to others, and show love and kindness to those who are less fortunate, and try your best to not judge, then you are on the right path. I believe one doesn’t have to go to church to be saved or forgiven.

Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God ~ Lenny Bruce

Seeking further confirmation from spirit, this is what I received in a nutshell:

You do not have to go to church or belong to an organized faith or religion to find salvation. Sometimes organized religion is good for some. Depending on the energy frequency of an individual’s soul, it can repress some, while for some it helps to feel more connected. Everyone’s energy vibration is unique to their own path.

When you start to feel guilty for not going to church, that is when you need to be careful. One should never, ever feel guilt for not going.

As far as getting your soul raised to the highest vibration possible while here on Earth, that can only be achieved by doing good, by being kind, by wishing no harm to anyone and doing no harm to anyone.

Judging others does your soul no favors. When we judge we are simply unhappy with ourselves, and this shows and becomes obvious to those who are wise. Everyone knows that there are inner issues going on with those who judge.

Love is the key to heaven. Love can come in the form of a smile, a hug, by doing good in all its shapes and forms. Whatever that looks like to you, it’s all good. Everyone shows love in their own unique way.

We become better aligned with the Divine by being humble and by living peacefully, by not hurting anyone or any animal, and taking care of those who are weaker than ourselves.

I don’t necessarily believe in organized religion. I love my God, my higher power, but it is mine and mine alone, and I create my connection, and I decide how my connection is going to be ~ Will Smith

Gossiping is something that lowers the vibration. Doing away with pride and ego is beneficial to the soul and helps raise ones soul vibration.

So, bottom-line: we do not have to go to church to live a spiritually aware life. We do not have to belong to any organized religion to get into Heaven. I have connected with God more in silence and private meditation than anywhere else I have ever been. I enjoy going to church services at certain times of the year, however I certainly worship the best outdoors, in nature.

Just like branches on a tree, there are many paths to take to get closer God. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Which one will you take? Which one feels right for you? “See why it is not good to judge?” spirit said. “Because you are all unique and different.” I thought that made perfect sense.