Aww M, this reply is one of the many reasons why I absolutely adore you😊 You always are your authentic, amazing self, and I am just so happy to have got to know you.
And I hear you loud and clear. I know many beautiful, kind religious people, but unfortunately my life experience with religion has been similar to what you describe. Humans seem to take advantage of hierarchal structures and use them to suppress and silence instead of empower and support. They just cannot seem to leave them be.
You get all the hugs today! Hope you are out enjoying some of that magnificent Latvian nature!
!PIZZA