Vedanta, Shia Islam, Christianity , Wicca...  you are discussing some very interesting ideas, I have enjoyed reading this thread... I don't intend to intrude, just wanted to say that seraching is good, but finding is better, particularly if you relaize that what you found was always in you.  It is good to like a religion, or more than one, it feeds the thirsty or hungry soul.  if you find one (a religion) that speaks to your unique inner beliefs and meshes with your physical or sensory needs, the need for order, or music, what have you, all the better.  It is a shame that we humans have gotten so out of touch with, as one of you put it, the principles of nature, that as the other put it, we humans have to be TAUGHT that we have our own path.  Meditation is part of being spiritual - no matter what religion or principles of nature you ascrbie to, because it is only when you are quiet and seeking knowledge, that a spirit can become inspired. (In my opinion) .  
I must admit (happily) I was lucky to be happy enough with the religion I was born into, and lucky  enough to have seen thru the dogmas for what they are, just more things that the wrold throws at us -non-stop - distractions.  
Being hated for being  or for thinking or for searching for who you really are or for believing in a particular way is a crime against the principles of nature.  Even in my Catholic religion, that many seem to want to hate because of some of the Added On Distractions, the main premises are to LOVE and to be thankful for our most precious gift, in my belief G*d given,  Freedom, freedom to believe, or not.  
By the way, my youngest daughter had her 1st communion today feeling particualrly thankful and spiritual.