I have to agree with Bill Hahn when he says, "thanks to this thread--the more I feel that devout religiousity is the easy way out and skepticism and/or self formed ethics the harder way."

Here's a good example, cited by Rabbi Sol.

The woman has to cover her hair (as a sign of humble obedience to God's law, I suppose) but she wears a wig (which is presumably O.K. because its not her own hair). Huh? What makes a wig more exceptable to God than the head of hair he gave you?

Not only that, she's not worried about what God will think of her uncovered head but what the neighbors will think!

Like all organized religion, these rules (whether from the Rabbis, or the Pope or the Mullahs) are used to control people through peer pressure. The example of the story shows very clearly that it is more important to maintain her image in the community than to please God.

But then God rewards her by saving her husband from the twin towers!

Gimme a break!

Are religious people allowed to think?