Someone asked me if I dislike religion. I don’t dislike religion. I dislike that religion has been taken over by fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is the belief that there is only one way to God, and it knows the way. It is by its very nature devisive and righteous.

Often fundamentalism is based on the literal reading of holy books. That literal reading is often interpreted as the correct and only path toward God. There is no deviation. There is no opportunity for self-exploration. Common sense, logic and science can at times take a back seat to the books.

When science and the books butt heads, the response if often that science is just a theory. It is true that at the end of the day science is just a theory. Just as is the literal truth of the holy books.

Where those theories differ, however, is their ability to create. Science is assumed to be true because it is creative. It is the foundation for the creations we experience in our lives. It is responsible for the cars we drive, the computers we use, and the medicines we have created. It has put a man on the moon.

The singular truths found in the literal reading of the holy books, however, do not create. They contract. They divide and restrict. They have been used to condemn, marginalize and at times destroy. They seeks to convert those who do not agree.

And all of that is fine. That we all have our own beliefs is the beauty behind life. Where I detach from fundamentalist religion, however, is that it is to be imposed on others – where its mission is to spread its truth and convert those who do not agree.

I prefer theories that don’t need to be spread or seek conversion of those who disagree. I prefer theories that are expansive and creative. I prefer theories that allow for potential to become reality.

That is why I have moved away from religion and to spirituality.

Timothy Velner is a husband, father, attorney and author living in Minneapolis. You can follow his daily blog – a series of discussions between the worry-self and the present-self at – thespiritualgym.me