“I’ve always considered religion an anti-intellectual practice. Faith in something unseen, unknown and unprovable; devotion to an ancient text, a being in the sky”.

The something is felt and experienced, rather than seen, therefore is known by those who have experienced it. Most modern spiritual people aren’t devoted to ancient texts, although a lot of these are very interesting and inspiring, e.g. Upanishads, Vedas, Tao Te Ching. And almost nobody believes God is a being in the sky, apart perhaps from some Christians.

It’s possible, therefore, that religion is nothing like what you thought it was. Jack Preston King some time ago wrote on Medium an article “Nobody Believes God is a Magical Old Man with a Beard in the Clouds, But They Still Believe in God”. You might be able to find it.

best wishes.