Why I Left Christianity and Chose Spirituality: A Deeper Look Into My Journey of Faith and Self-Discovery

Many of you have asked why I left Christianity and embraced spirituality. This is part two of my story—a more detailed and transparent look into my personal journey of faith, questioning, and ultimately, spiritual freedom.

I was raised as a Methodist Christian. We didn’t go to church every Sunday, but we showed up on major holidays—Christmas, Easter, the usual. At the time, I didn’t know what “Methodist” even meant. Like many people, I grew up accepting the label without understanding the depth behind it. As I got older, I realized how many branches, sects, and denominations exist within Christianity—and other religions too. Each is shaped by someone’s interpretation of sacred texts. That realization alone opened my mind.

But even then, something felt off. I felt disconnected from God. I felt misaligned. I wasn’t satisfied with simply believing what I was told. So I began to explore.

From Christianity to Islam: My First Step Out

My mom introduced me to Islam through family connections. I attended a Black American Islamic school. The experience was powerful—it resonated with me culturally and emotionally. But over time, I found the environment to be too militant. The way Christianity was talked down on didn’t sit right with me. I believe everyone has a right to their own beliefs, and I don't shame anyone for how they connect with God. So although I respected Islam, that particular path wasn’t for me.

Seventh-Day Adventism: Familiar But Restrictive

Next, I attended a Seventh-Day Adventist high school. It felt familiar because it was Christian-based, but with a few differences, like going to church on Saturday instead of Sunday. I even converted for a while. I appreciated the health teachings—vegetarianism, veganism, the focus on whole foods. That part stuck with me and still influences my lifestyle today.

But again, the restrictions weighed heavy: no secular music, no jewelry, no dancing, no clapping in church, and a culture of suppression—especially around natural human desires. That suppression led to a lot of hidden behavior, confusion, and guilt among students. It was a bubble, and when we entered college (even at a Seventh-Day Adventist school), people went wild because they were finally free. The conflict between religion and human nature created an emotional mess for many.

Stepping Away: Breaking the Cycle of Guilt and Suppression

After failing out of college, I knew I needed a reset. I returned to New York, became a massage therapist, and started working at a spa. That spa had a waiting area full of books—real books on spirituality, metaphysics, and consciousness. I picked up one, then another, then another. And that’s where my real journey began.

I discovered authors like Neville Goddard, Ernest Holmes, and Florence Scovel Shinn. I found Unity Church and Centers for Spiritual Living—places that welcomed authenticity and individuality. No shame, no rigid rules. Just love, awareness, and a deep dive into consciousness. I stopped searching for God in rules and found God within me.

The Core Shift: From Religion to Relationship

What changed everything was the realization that you are God in consciousness. The divine isn’t found in restriction—it’s found in truth, alignment, and freedom. Spirituality helped me accept my human experience, not suppress it. It showed me that my desires weren’t sinful—they were natural. That judgment wasn’t divine—it was human.

Religious structures can be useful for some, but they’re often shaped more by culture and control than spiritual truth. I saw how rules were often created to manage fear or control behavior, not to bring people closer to divine love. And I had to choose: live in fear and guilt, or live in truth and love.

Final Thoughts: Your Journey Is Yours

If you’re questioning your beliefs, know this: you’re not alone. Many people feel that inner tug, that discomfort that says, “There has to be more.” That tug is your spirit trying to wake you up.

You don’t have to abandon your past to embrace your future. You can honor where you came from while still choosing something new. Spirituality isn’t a rejection of God—it’s a return to your true connection with the divine.

And if you’re on this path, I support you. Keep questioning, keep seeking, and most importantly—keep listening to your inner voice. That voice is divine.

Peace and abundance always

Dr. Abundant