Bageshwar Dham Sarkar

Does being religious mean I should live in fear?

Dharma makes you fearless

Dharma does not frighten you; it makes you fearless. Be nirbhay (fearless), not nirbhar (dependent) on God or others.

Dharma does not show fear or make you dependent; dharma makes you fearless. A person who lives in fear of dharma cannot be truly religious.