I was raised in an atheist household - I was told that there was no truth to religion and that spirituality was a big hoax. Now I consider myself a very spiritual person, someone who takes religion seriously and often speaks to God and prays. But how did I get here? My path was unconventional, and my beliefs are as well, but finding Omnism was the most liberating and fulfilling discovery I have ever made.
As I said, my family taught me that there was no God, despite me growing up in a very religious area. This leads me to a very atheist theology (or lack thereof) and I looked down upon those foolish enough to fall for the scam that religion seemed it was. However, there was one thing I just couldn't get over. My religious peers seemed so happy and engulfed in their faiths - I remember my best friend in would tell me about how she always felt safe knowing her guardian angel was protecting her.
Things like that would confuse me. Were these people just blissfully ignorant? Or did they know something I didn't? The easiest answer to these philosophical questions was that yes, these people were believing in something that didn't exist, and I was part of the elite intellectual group of people who could see right through the deception of deity.
As I entered the world of feminism and activism in middle school, I changed my tune from hatred of religion to respect. I became more educated on how faith can affect people and why it's so important. But deep down I was still confused as to why so many subscribed to the idea of a God that - in my mind - probably didn't exist. How were they so sure that this Creator existed? I also learned of the historic sexism and homophobia within some religions, which left me wondering how a feminist could also be religious.
It wasn't until I met my boyfriend sophomore year of high school that I even stepped into a church. His family is Christian, and one day they invited me to come to a service. I apprehensively agreed but kept an open mind while nervously filing into the wooden pews. To my surprise, everyone seemed really friendly and open-minded, and I honestly felt moved by the service.
In fact, after that service, I felt so enlightened, that I declared myself a Christian that very day. I started going to church every Sunday, I read the bible, and I finally understood what it meant to let religion into my life. I felt like a missing piece had been added to my soul, and whenever I faced trouble I could turn to God to lead me down the right path.
It wasn't until I started to read certain parts of the Bible that I had doubts. I remember one thing that stuck with me was the idea that nonbelievers went to Hell. Even believers of different faiths. I couldn't see the morality of that; who was I to say what other people should believe? It wasn't in my interest at all to try and convert people into Christianity, even though I subscribed to it at the time.
Time passed and I slowly stopped going to church, praying, and I was really questioning whether I had any faith at all. Was this the religion for me? Am I even religious? I had felt such strong empowerment at church, but was that God's doing or my own? It wasn't until I started researching other religions that it hit me. So many religions have similar mantras and teachings, and even similar stories. I felt that they all had to be connected in some way, but how? I didn't know if anyone else felt this way, or if it was just a silly idealistic view of the world and religion.
Then I stumbled upon Omnism - a philosophical religion that isn't really a religion at all - more of a spiritual philosophy. At the heart, Omnists believe "all religions are true in part, none in totality, Omnism included." It's the idea that each religion holds a piece of the puzzle, and all practitioners of religion are valid. I felt like a spark went off in my head! There's a group of people who believe what I believe, and after doing more research I felt that this was exactly what I felt was true deep inside.
Different Omnists have slightly different takes of the philosophy, which is exactly what Omnism celebrates. Over time I was able to solidify my beliefs, and I personally feel that whatever someone manifests, that's what's true for them. If somebody believes in reincarnation, they'll be reincarnated. If someone believes in Heaven or Hell, they'll go there in the afterlife. As for Omnists, manifesters, and believers of all afterlives, I believe we may have the opportunity to go on a very unique spiritual journey after death.
As an Omnist, I now understand and respect all religions. To find inner peace, it is so important to find a set of beliefs that you agree with and are enthusiastic about. I find joy in celebrating the differences and nuances to everyone's beliefs, and that's what makes Omnism so special to me.
