When did I confuse my faith with religion? When did they become enmeshed?

Why could I not see that one was man made and the other an overflow of Gods heart.

Rules became my religion, perhaps they still coexist within me, intermingled with my soul. Pumping through my veins, beating to the rhythm of my heart.

If the two are inextricably linked, how do you separate them and survive? How do you emerge whole?

I lost my religion,

But not my faith

Precipitating my division

From those who would berate

My decision