I believe that while culture is a beautiful phenomenon—it has brought us everything from legwarmers to table manners—it should not be confused with the pursuit of a spiritual path.

I believe that lingering exclusively in like-minded groups can lead to intellectual laziness, spiritual inbreeding, and sometimes really ugly babies.

I believe that going to church week after week only to be fed over and again on easy-to-digest clichés can lead to spiritual gluttony.

I believe that the emotional high of singing repetitive “praise songs” in minor chords can feel nice, but it can’t replace the buzz from teaching a child how to raise carrots in a community garden or delivering food and clothes to someone you know who needs them.

I believe that while community can be important to spiritual development, it loses its benefit when spiritual development relies on the community.

I believe that any religion that encourages the feeding of one’s own soul above the practical and habitual care of one’s neighbor needs to be seriously reevaluated.

I believe that there is something bigger than what I have been taught to understand, and that it is worth seeking.

I believe that becoming a “devangelical” is a state of mind more than a choice of faith community.

I believe that my spiritual journey is mine and mine alone.

I believe that to actually begin on a journey, I have to first make a departure.