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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Greyjedi · M

I am no longer religious but I can give you an excellent answer as to why they believe.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@Greyjedi Why do they believe?

Unhinged · 100+

@Greyjedi @sree251 *

insert bitter cynicism here*

Greyjedi · M

@sree251 It is not a single answer but a handful. People are told by their families what to believe for generations, often that only following this belief will they be safe. Or something is hard to understand so they say it must be ‘hand of God’ Or agurments with parents can lead them to saying there is an authority far higher than them, and children believe in fairytales to spite their parents. Or children are abused if they don’t believe. Some astrology aspects concerning Jupiter or the 9th house can lead to a change in a person’s philosophy or religion. Popularity is power, so what’s popular in ones area can become their religion.