Any pattern of thoughts that has been grouped into a discipline, whether religious or secular, can - imo - be viewed as a best effort by a group or individual t

Any pattern of thoughts that has been grouped into a discipline, whether religious or secular, can - imo - be viewed as a best effort by a group or individual that was then adopted by the group. That doesn't mean they're equal, but I think it's helpful framing. Setting aside fundamentalists, people are using combinations of these disciplines to make sense of life. Epiphanies which are liberating to me may be terrifying or unimportant to you and vice versa. The need to conform can be helpful on a societal level (particularly from a bird's-eye view) and harmful on an individual level. At some point, the individual harm affects enough individuals that there is a noticeable backlash, and we see some form of reorganization of beliefs. Most people aren't built for serious thought. Maybe someone has a better idea than I do how it breaks down on the nature/nature scale, but the average person will always be more concerned with the signaling aspects of a given belief than the belief itself. As a human trying to survive or thrive, you increase your margin for error by squeezing into a group. How you choose the group or if it's chosen for you will again depend on some combination of internal and external factors. Whether we like it or not, we're building this thing together, and it's to our benefit to be curious and compassionate about the beliefs of others. It doesn't mean converting or losing your religion, but if I understand what motivates you, I can propose comprises that work for both parties. Of cours, there will always be assholes who must have everything their way, but don't be cynical. Most people are capable of compromise, just as most people are capable of love and hope.