I grew up Catholic, went through twelve years of parochial school, and my grandmother still says a rosary for me every night. But after watching how organized religion has handled scandals, politics, and even my own questions about faith, I've started to wonder if religious institutions do more harm than good for genuine spiritual growth. The structure provides community and ritual, sure, but it also demands conformity and often discourages critical thinking about core beliefs. Can you really have deep, personal faith without the baggage of institutional rules?