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?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

BlueSkyKing · M

Blind belief for a child is essential. As they grow certain things need to be taught. Critical thinking skills and science literacy are important parts of overall education.

“Let children learn about different faiths, let them notice their incompatibility, and let them draw their own conclusions about the consequences of that incompatibility. As for whether they are ‘valid,’ let them make up their own minds when they are old enough to do so.”
― Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@BlueSkyKing Wise words although the first paragraph seems self-contradictory - it takes some doing to be able to convert from blindly believing in something just because you are told to, to believing, modifying or rejecting it by independent, rational thought.

I agree with Dawkins' suggestion that children should learn about different faiths - my italics - and allowed to make up their own minds. To neglect to do, to emplace only ignorance of others' ideas, is to sow only division and discord.

Why some find that objectionable I do not really know, but surmise a blend of fear and overweening control (i.e. bullying - but the hallmark of the bully is cowardice anyway). Parents or schools and in some nations, governments, who insist only their own religious beliefs and the sort of parasitical but foolish rules the OP illustrates are the only way to live, are basically frightened of the notion of personal thought and individual expression.

Akimbo75 · 46-50, F

@ArishMell Totally agree that fear is at the heart of much of this.