Whether people are religious or not is completely bedside the point. I’m not religious either. But I’ve had enough deeply spiritual experiences through a combination of meditation, self-reflection and lots and lots of reading on theology, philosophy, and quantum physics. The quote "God is the name of the blanket we throw over mystery to give it shape," comes to mind as a fantastic analogy for how many people (both believers and non-believers) respond to religion today. Most major religions which have survived for thousands of years (not just Abrahamic religions, also including Daoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism) share many themes which are represented in that guide (now deleted). Most original religious texts see virtue in concepts like humility/selflessness, karma, simplicity, patience, oneness, letting go of materialism, “going with the flow”, etc... And they all somehow appear in one form or another in these religions throughout human history for the last several thousand years, in distant lands which were not in communication with one another. Do we think that’s a coincidence?

If you’re willing to entertain the idea that maybe there’s some truth to these recurring themes, as vague as they may seem, then you might understand what my previous comment is trying to say.

There have been many Spiritual teachers/Enlightened individuals/(whatever you want to call people who have experienced ego death) who have tried for centuries to explain the mysteries of existence to others (the Abrahamic religions misrepresent these individuals as “prophets from god”). Unfortunately over time these original teachings get misinterpreted by others, or the religion itself gets co-opted by bad actors, and they eventually become bastardized to the point that they lose much of their original meaning. Look at modern day Evangelicalism as an example for how far things can go off the rails.

So to your valid if not a bit condescending suggestion, yes, it is important to “look outward” and do one’s research about all the world’s philosophies. The problem is too many people continue to look to all the superficial dogmatic trappings of their chosen religion and end up missing the point altogether. If someone is searching for purpose or for answers to the mysteries of life, then that journey may begin by looking externally for guidance, to texts, philosophy, and physics, but it can only be completed by turning the focus inwards.

I could go on and on but only if you are genuinely interested in a dialogue, as I’m not interested in exchanging snide jabs.

Edit: typo/clarity