the right some thing

I talk to a lot of people who have left church and/or religion in some form or another. And though we all have different experiences and stories there does seem to be one common feeling summed up sorta like this:

I left some thing and I’m so glad I left that thing but there are still things about the thing I miss even if it isn’t the thing and even if I know the thing was never the thing but only a way to get to some of those other things I need and miss despite all the destructive things that came with it.

Can I get those good things without the thing?