Being active Jewishly, the question of Reason vs. Religion comes up frequently,
although that dialectic isn’t as sharp in Judaism as it is in other
religions. And yes, one has to study both
Reason and Religion, deeply, to fully appreciate that.
In other words, and put bluntly, if you “have to” belong to a religion as an atheist, then Judaism is your easy pick!
Of course, it would take volumes to fully explain this statement, but in short: Study both Reason and Religion and you’ll see.
In other words, and put bluntly, if you “have to” belong to a religion as an atheist, then Judaism is your easy pick!
Of course, it would take volumes to fully explain this statement, but in short: Study both Reason and Religion and you’ll see.
The short answer to this riddle – as it must seem to many – is
that religion is about three B’s. Believing, Belonging, and Behaving; One can say, then, that being an atheist only
addresses the first of these B’s, Believing.
In other words, 2/3 of the foundation of religion has nothing to do with how you feel about a supernatural being. The Belonging is by far the most important “B”. Behaving is nice too but has nothing to do with your belief in, or rejection of, the notion of a god. If it did, we would still stone women to death if found to be non-virgins at their weddings. That part of “Behaving” has been thrown on history’s ash heap, thankfully.
But Belonging is the key, the sense of a common history, common culture, common jokes, common food;
In other words, 2/3 of the foundation of religion has nothing to do with how you feel about a supernatural being. The Belonging is by far the most important “B”. Behaving is nice too but has nothing to do with your belief in, or rejection of, the notion of a god. If it did, we would still stone women to death if found to be non-virgins at their weddings. That part of “Behaving” has been thrown on history’s ash heap, thankfully.
But Belonging is the key, the sense of a common history, common culture, common jokes, common food;
Yes, I know that Catholics have this too; and that’s exactly my point! We belong together, because our history culture,
jokes and food are separate from those traits Catholics have in common with each
other.
Peoplehood is not about belief systems. And the great thing about Judaism is the fact, with a few exceptions, Judaism is tolerant! Various views on Belief can co-exist. Yes, I know, I said there were a few exceptions but they are revealing more about themselves than about Judaism.
Peoplehood is not about belief systems. And the great thing about Judaism is the fact, with a few exceptions, Judaism is tolerant! Various views on Belief can co-exist. Yes, I know, I said there were a few exceptions but they are revealing more about themselves than about Judaism.
