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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Lilymoon · F

I believe in God but I don't follow any "religion" and that in and of itself is freeing.

Ducky · 31-35, F

@Lilymoon I despise the religious, especially Christians, and everything they stand for. But my contempt for them lies with the fucked up mentality and teachings they follow. I don’t believe there is anything inherently wrong with believing in a single monotheistic god. The sun is pretty much that for me.

I guess what I’m getting at is so long as you don’t identify with a religion, I don’t have any beef with you personally just for believing in god. 🫂

Lilymoon · F

@Ducky Yeah religion is pretty much the source of most of the wars and hatred between religions.

But I do believe in a higher power. And thanks 🫂

Ducky · 31-35, F

@Lilymoon If you ever think there could a be any beef between us for a moment, please bring it up to me first. 🫂

Lilymoon · F

@Ducky Thanks... I knew something was bothering you and I was hoping you weren't pissed at me for something. So I'm glad you're not! And I will

Ducky · 31-35, F

@Lilymoon Girl, why would I be lissed with you? 🥺

Lilymoon · F

@Ducky I dunno I have some enemies here and I don't know what they say to people about me.

Ducky · 31-35, F

@Lilymoon I’m not going to hold that against you at all. Sometimes I think the same way: friends I’ve trusted for years end up turning on me, so I don’t know who to trust. I can only hope my actions will continue to show you can trust me. If not, there isn’t any hard feelings. I get it, I really do. 🫂

Lilymoon · F

@Ducky Yeah I kinda figure if they wanna believe shit about me without even asking me or hardly knowing me then they're not worth being friends with anyway.
And I figured you were cool I just never know sometimes.

Ducky · 31-35, F

@Lilymoon Again, no hard feelings. Especially when you got numerous “friends” telling you how they’re just so devoted to you and would never betray you, only for them to do just that. For whatever it’s worth, the only thing you have to worry from me is me getting carried away and being flirty with you. Even drunk, I’m sure you could just tell me to cut the crap and I’d get right back in line. 😅

LadyGrace ·

@Lilymoon Yes, big difference. 👍

Lilymoon · F

@Ducky Yup.... aaaand it's fine haha 😁

Lilymoon · F

@LadyGrace Ty! yep

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@Lilymoon

I believe in God but I don't follow any "religion" and that in and of itself is freeing.

The word "God" is just a title and does not specify particular deity. Humans have worshiped over 33,000,000 different gods. All Gods have unique names and attributes. The biblical God character has about seven specific unique names, so which one of the millions do you believe in?

Lilymoon · F

@Diotrephes there's only One. lol

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@Lilymoon

there's only One. lol

Even the biblical fairytale says that there are countless gods, including yourself. So, don't be bashful, name yours.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God

Lilymoon · F

@Diotrephes you're nuts stop talking to me or I'll have to block you