Question: How can I emerge, without a feeling of guilt or failure, from a church membership that no longer serves me with a sense of peace and wholeness as I embrace other teachings?
Answer: More and more people nowadays are leaving their churches and old spiritual paths or movements. All this is part of a global movement which is seeing the slow disappearance of many forms of organized religion in favor of a more personalized spirituality. For some it is an immense relief. For others, it can be deeply traumatic (as it was for me many years ago), and is often tied to a sense of guilt. However, no one can live your life for you, and no one, not even the highest moral, religious or spiritual authority, has the right to tell you how you should live your existence. For me, Polonius’ statement in Hamlet remains the guiding rule of my existence: “This above all; to thine own self be true, and it shall follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” So, do what you FEEL is right for you, take the path your heart leads you to choose. That only can bring you peace.
