Question to religious people: why do you believe?

I grew up in an orthodox jewish family in Toronto. We strictly followed all the laws of judaism such as pray daily, keep kosher and observe sabbath. When I was growing up, we were maybe a 7 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being fanatic. The minutia of rules lived in every moment of every day. There were specific blessings to say when you ate, slept, went to the bathroom. Rules about what women may not do, say, be. Rules for men too, but much less limited.

For me, it was too much. I defected from that world 20 years ago. (It was hard.) My parents and siblings have only become more fanatical as the years go by, they’re all at a 9 by now. We do speak to each other and get along OK.

But I have trouble understanding how they or anyone can truly be happy in that life.

So I ask, why do YOU believe?

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cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

There was a movie made in Israel about this level of legalism. It was available at our public library and subtitles were in English. It was over a decade that I watched it and don’t recall the title. About a rabbinical student married with a young son. All the laws and rules were abided by each and every day. It seemed to be a lonely life for the wife and her bond to her son was even stronger. They went on a holiday to the Dead Sea and while the father was praying the son was playing in the water. I believe, if I remember right, he wanted some attention but because it was a formal prayer his father motioned him away. The son drowned in shallow water face down. Showed the grief at home with the mother. She could barely function, at the end she pushed the books her husband was studying onto the floor, kind of symbolic about her disdain for legalism with no exceptions that suited in the death of the son.

Akimbo75 · 46-50, F

@cherokeepatti Disdain is a good word for that. Especially since there’s a rule that says Break any of these rules if it’s life or death situation.