Religion isn't about being "told" or "controlled". It's about a relationship. It's about faith and love. For those that have the preconceived notion that a relationship with God, or religion as people title it, is something negative then you have been controlled by (((them))). Those who think they are in charge of "religion" are the ones who want to control. No one needs to be in between you and God. Form a relationship on your own by praying or simply by asking him if he's real. Start there, for real. Church is a building, it's not necessary. A congregation is something filled with relationships. House churches were how things used to be done. Even tithing, it was what you had that you could share with others- even if that is a set of tires you have laying around, or extra corn from harvest, diapers etc. Don't let them control the narrative of your own relationship with God. It's a beautiful thing.
Sauce?