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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Adstar · 56-60, M

You seem to assume that every religion is like the religion you experienced.. Religions filled with heavy Law adherence requirements and a lot of restrictions.. That's just not the case..

I am a Christian.. And while i acknowledge the Laws that God established as a guide i also acknowledge that i cannot do the Law without failing.. The whole point of the Law is to cause people to know they are guilty of breaking the Law and thus need Atonement to be justly forgiven their transgressions against Gods Law.. And that brings us to the sacrificial Lamb of God.. The Passover Lamb by the Name of the LORD Jesus who willingly suffered death to provide atonement for all our transgressions against His Law..

So i don't live in a religion where i am under heavy bondage to succeed in doing the Law without failure.. I am destined to fail to do Gods Law but i am at the same time being forgiven continually all my failings and so i have peace of mind and hope for the future and love for the One who willingly suffered death to secure my forgiveness, The LORD Jesus..

Akimbo75 · 46-50, F

@Adstar um no I don’t assume that at all. I was describing my personal experience.

Adstar · 56-60, M

@Akimbo75 Cool.. Thats why i added the ""assume"" in my reply.. Because i was not certain what you thought.. I can understand to some extent your personal experience because i was once in a religion that was what we call a ""Works based"" or ""Works slavation religion"" where ones eternal destiny with God was based on ones success at doing all the laws..