Question

I’ll start by saying that I have Existential OCD, a compulsive disorder that causes me to dwell on fundamental philosophical questions that don’t necessarily have definitive answers. And it causes me anxiety and pain.
But for some reason, the following question is a bit more practical for my day-to-day life, and really not only for a religious lifestyle.
Are we beings with free choice, or are we like animals in every respect? (Each person grows up in a different place, with a different pattern of thinking—which might cause him to choose differently. If so, is it possible to judge people who do bad things? After all, their evil inclination toward that act is strong / they came to understand that their actions are good.) Maybe this question is actually connected to the question of body and soul…
Because really, what is it that I understand and contain better that leads me to be religious, more than the secular person?
But really, if the answer to this question is that science has indeed confirmed that we human beings do not have free choice, then there is no possibility of criticizing anyone.
How can you criticize a person who is subject to circumstances?
And as I said, this troubles me.
I’m not able to come to terms with the possibility that we are like the rest of the animals.
Thank you very much!