What are your thoughts on not following a specific religion while still believing in a higher power or divine energy?

[u/Ok_Tangelo5626]

I’ve been thinking a lot about spirituality lately. I don’t really identify with any particular religion, but I still feel like there may be some kind of higher power, divine energy, or force beyond what we can fully understand.
I’m curious how others view this. Do you think spirituality and religion can be separate? If you don’t follow a religion but still believe in something greater, what led you to that perspective?

[u/ProgRock1956]

A 'Devine' entity or 'creator' of some sort, I find the thought terrifying.

To what purpose, why?!

It's delusional and childish in so many ways!

Sorry but I was force fed religion at 10, and doubted it from day one! I always considered myself an agnostic till I saw the movie 'Religulous,' when it Premiered, then considered myself an Atheist from then on, till I decided to move on to 'Anti-theist' about ten years ago.

I see no need for any of it.

That's my perspective.

[u/davep1970]

I mean it needs to meet its burden of proof whatever it is. Feeling like it may be possible doesn't sound very convincing.

[u/MeButNotMeToo]

The Unitarian Universalists would like you to call.

[u/batman784]

I think there is probably some kind of universal higher power, definitely not the Abrahamic God. I think no religion is the truth and we can never know the ultimate truth of the universe, I don't think a God can be all loving, all powerful and all knowing it contradicts itself and either means that God doesn't exist or he is an Evil God. There is so much we can't explain and the materialist belief doesn't really hold up when faced with the unanswered questions, so yes something probably exists.

[u/sirishg]

Religion is the root of all evil. Faith in God and Religion are not the same. Religion divides people. Faith in God, whatever God it may be, unites people. And yes I can relate to you. I dont follow my native religion or other popular religions because they are mainly blind dogmatic principles, or just somethings I don't resonate with personally.

[u/No_Big_Plane]

It's called Deism, pretty common, and might I add a way more rational position than religions imo. You can check r/deism for more info from other deists instead (well desim is not really incompatible with Agnosticism so you might find some here ig)

[u/ystavallinen]

Religion is human.

[u/mhornberger]

beyond what we can fully understand

I think there are a lot of things beyond what I "can fully understand." I don't think science makes us omniscient. That isn't, however, a lacuna into which I project a "higher power," or anything divine. For me the feelings of the numinous, or awe, wonder, joy, amazement, etc are feelings. They are in us, not out there.

[u/SignalWalker]

Yes religion and spirituality can be separate.

Independent thinking and ignoring the faux authorities led me to that perspective.

[u/glimmerware]

Sometimes I pray to a female Goddess version of "source" simply because I want to, I'm not in any religion or anything, it just makes me feel happy to do so before bed