Because we are meant to be passionate about beliefs, when people hang onto religious convictions purely out of custom and rote, it irks us. This is the reason why so few kids today continue the religious traditions of their parents. In their minds, their parents keep to their faith out of boredom and guilt. But since they no longer had any intrinsic value, even for you, you could do this only through persuasion or threat. Conversely, seeing people passionate about their beliefs is a huge turn-on.
Passionate people are the most fun to be around because they provide a thrill a minute.
Their exuberance spreads and makes us all feel special and alive. Many people fear passion but basically for two opposing reasons. One camp says that passion is dangerous because it is so strong that it can rage out of control. I remember, for instance, when I first published The Jewish Guide to Adultery, a primer for married couples on how to bring passion into their relationship. She point blankly told me that she hated it.