If one is seeking the truth, then he has to be free from all the religious beliefs and dogmas.+

Religion is nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. If one is seeking the truth, then he has to be free from all religious beliefs and dogmas.

The religion is based on the ego (you), whereas, the ultimate truth is based on the Soul, the  Self. 

Whatever is based on the ego is an illusion and whatever is based on the Soul is ultimate reality or Brahman. 

Thus, the religion has to be bifurcated from spirituality to realize the truth beyond the form, time and space.

The orthodox dualist and nondualists sects are nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

The orthodox Advaita considers, the birth, life, death, rebirth, heaven, hell, sin, karma, and the world as a reality, whereas Sage Sankara declares the world in which we exist is merely an illusion. If the world is an illusion, then the birth, life, death, rebirth, heaven, hell, sin, karma, and the world, is bound to be an illusion.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (non-duality). Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion. 

Sage Sankara’s quotes (selected verified) are quoted in my blogs and postings to show what Sage Sankara meant and ‘what is blocking the seekers from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

There are so many non-dualistic masters of the east and also from the west who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge, but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end.

According to Advaita Vedanta, the Veda addresses itself to two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know Brahman. 

Thus, the Purva mimam.sa, with its emphasis on the karma kanda of the Vedas is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, the Vedanta, with its emphasis on the jnana kanda, is meant for those who wish to go beyond such transient pleasures.

Sage Sankara's commentary to Brahma Sutras (Chap.3.4.50) shows that the Gnani "should pass through life", not run away from life and should take a middle course between seeking worldly honor and worldly abasement.

Sage Sankara varied his practical advice and doctrinal teaching according to the people he was amongst. He never advised them to give up their particular religion or beliefs or metaphysics completely; he only told them to give up the worst features of abuse: at the same time, he showed just one step forward towards the truth. Sage  Sankara was extremely precise and careful in his choice of words.

Sage Sankara' gave religious, ritual or dogmatic instruction to the mass, but pure philosophy only to the few who could rise to it. Hence the interpretation of his writings by commentators is often confusing because they mix up the two viewpoints. Thus, they may assert that ritual is a means of realizing Brahman, which is absurd.

Sage Sankara says in the commentary in the Vedanta Sutra that what is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Seeker of truth should not believe blindly in traditional orthodox Advaita without verifying all the facts from every angle. 

The orthodoxy has nothing to do with Spirituality or Adyathma, which based on the Soul or Spirit. 

The seeker has to reflect through reasoning over and over again without getting tired of the process. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar