Do you practice religion?

That’s always a slightly awkward question to answer, because the honest answer is…

Sort of.

I suppose the easiest way to explain it is that I have a belief system rather than following one strict path. It’s a mixture of Buddhism, witchcraft, and a lot of personal reflection and soul-searching along the way. In fact, I even wrote a book inspired by some of those ideas called Spells and Scribbles.

Now before anyone starts clutching pearls or reaching for holy water, let me say this clearly: I have absolutely no issue with mainstream religion whatsoever. If someone’s faith helps them become kinder, more compassionate, and more understanding of other people, then I genuinely think that’s a beautiful thing.

The problem only starts when belief becomes a weapon.
When it’s used to shame people.
Control people.
Exclude people.
Or hurt people for simply existing as themselves.

That part never sat right with me.

For me personally, I’ve always preferred finding my own path through life rather than being told exactly what I should think or believe. I’m not particularly good at blindly following rules anyway — anyone who knows me will probably laugh knowingly at that.

Buddhism appealed to me because there’s no angry deity standing over you with a clipboard waiting to condemn you for being human. At its heart, Buddhism recognises something incredibly honest:

Life involves suffering.

Not because we’re evil.
Not because we’re broken.
But because being human is messy and painful and complicated sometimes.

The whole point seems to be learning. Growing. Trying to become a little wiser, a little kinder, a little more aware of ourselves and the impact we have on the world around us.

Nobody is expected to be perfect.

You just do your best.

And if you stumble?
Well… you learn from it and keep going.

That makes far more sense to me than the idea of eternal punishment for simply failing at being human occasionally.

Then there’s Wicca and witchcraft, which drew me in for completely different reasons. I love the connection to nature, the seasons, the moon, the idea that the earth itself deserves respect rather than ownership.

There’s also something deeply comforting in the balance of it all. Masculine and feminine energies existing side by side, neither above the other, both equally necessary. The world works through balance. Nature teaches that constantly if you stop long enough to notice.

Honestly, both paths seem to meet in the same place eventually:

Be mindful of your actions.
Take responsibility for the harm you cause.
Show compassion where you can.
Try to leave the world a little softer than you found it.

That feels like enough spirituality for me.

The older I get, the less interested I am in who has the “correct” religion and the more interested I am in whether someone is kind to waiters, animals, strangers, and themselves.

Because I suspect whatever magic or enlightenment exists in this world probably lives there far more than it does in arguments about doctrine.

Stay safe

Bc