It's fine to have rules.
But when they prevent people from meeting Jesus, they have to go.
Read my fifth post in my 'Broken by Religion' series below, or catch up on previous posts
https://downiefamily.wixsite.com/wherebreadisfound/meditations
@wherebreadisfound My religious tradition goes heavy on rules, and this is something new converts trip up on. Many are delighted to find a set of rules that will supposedly guarantee a way to godliness. But with experience we find that the rules exist only because they are tried-and-true ways of drawing near to Jesus.
As an evangelical missionary kid, I was taught that it was all about Jesus. In my 20s I discovered Eastern Orthodoxy, and became enamored of the rules. Thirty years later, I've come full circle and realize that it really is all about Jesus, though I have a more mature picture of who Jesus is.
@ossobuffo My journey has taken me through many different types of church. I've seen some crazy rules that had nothing to do with the Gospel and everything to do with projecting power.
But when they are correctly deployed to lead people to Jesus, they bring freedom and joy.