[houeto]

one can believe in the existence of things/forces/beings outside of the material sidereal universe without having to feel compelled to ascribe supernatural causes to natural phenomena.

Yes, but that is somewhat different than believing in an Almighty God that has the power over human souls.

[King Prout]

no, not at all. is a soul material?

years ago, I made a study of the human characteristics ascribed by the devout to the existence of the soul.

each and every one of those characteristics has been shown to be a result of the structural and chemical properties of the central nervous system.

so far, there is no material evidence of souls.
if they exist, and a supernatural agency has dominion over them, big deal - has nothing to do with the scientific explanation of observable and measurable natural phenomena.