Joseph. “Religiously strict” is proof of LACK of knowledge and LACK of understanding. When you are stricter than what the Rambam or SA prescribe it is because you don’t know the halacha and therefore are strict “just in case”. Halacha is not “just in case”. Halacha is the law and every Jew must be knowledgeable. When people go beyond that it is a sign of Am haartzut.
It is very well documented that Sephardim were much more learned, worldly and literate. Most Ashkenazim were not and that is reflected in many of the psakim of the Rama (who had to conform to Minhagim that were neged all the Gedolei Ha Halacha.
Secondly this notion that Ashkenazim built up Sephardim is a fallacy that has been repudiated many times. Ashkenazim know how to pump things up and market things. “Gadol Hador”, “Olam Hatorah”, “Ben Torah”. It’s all Nahrishkeit.
People who post on YWN are very very far from deciding who is and who isn’t a Gadol and who had more Torah observance.
The Ashkenazic lineage is questionable and as such if I had to pick I’ve said time and time again there is unquestionably more fidelity with the Sephardic mesora. It’s not even a question.
Tzeh ulmad