They don't go to church. They don't go to mosque. They are "spiritual." They are "connected to the universe." They are "above organized religion." They also have a prayer candle. A specific direction they sleep. A number they don't call on Tuesdays. A color they don't wear. A dream journal. A crystal. A pastor they "consult" who is definitely not a pastor. The spirituality is organized. It is just self-organized. And the judgment! They judge churchgoers for being "sheep." They judge mosque-goers for being "rigid." They judge everyone while consulting their own private oracle. The spirituality is not freedom. It is religion with better branding. But the sincerity! Some are genuinely searching. Genuinely questioning. Genuinely seeking connection outside structures that failed them. The search is valid. The search is vulnerable. The search is not the performance. The performance is the Instagram quotes. The "universe has my back" captions after obvious hard work. The "manifesting" that is actually applying for jobs. The spirituality that is success with mysterious attribution. The universe is not working. You are working. The distinction matters. Are you religious, spiritual, or just performing transcendence? And what's your actual belief system?
