Aspartame is really bad for you. When it actually enters your body it turns into formaldehyde. I have a number of references if you'd like them (I have them available for when I get into discussions with my friends who don't believe me).

I grew up surrounded by religious practices and distanced myself because of my own skeptism. I've found that the idea of "spirituality" works a lot better for me just because it doesn't put down on other people and their beliefs.