I understand that notion (one with which I disagree, BTW--I've always viewed the ethnicity as "Hebrew" rather than "Jewish", the latter being faith-based); but the post to which I was responding was regarding what is necessary to be a "good Jew". Allow me to quote another portion of his post: This is the part that doesn't quite make sense to me.
A lot of Jewish practice is designed to keep Jewish culture consistent where you have the race scattered across the world. That is, the culture is pretty much the same in New York as in Israel. Edit: an example might be keeping kosher. I don't think it's a religious practice, but rather a health one. People who ate improperly cooked pork would get trichinosis...
That's what I'm saying. I mean its like an African-American that says they are Rasta. I think of Judaism as a religion, while hebrew is the race.
But the French, Korean or Japanese came to this country and brang their culture with them. It wasn't their religion, but their culture mostly. So should we label all French "Catholics", Japanese "Shintonese" and Korean "Buddhist"?
This is true--the differentiation between civil, ceremonial, and moral law is something many don't understand (which is why many ignorant people bring up eating grapes and shellfish as a criticism of Christian denouncement of homosexuality). However, that is completely unrelated to my question.
The Hebrews have millennia of history of being a race scattered across the earth. There were very few years they had a country, such as France or Korea or Japan. Where the recent migration of people from their home countries may result in some of the culture being maintained, it is not by design in those nations' oldest and most studied documents, rules, and laws. I'd also point out assimilation. A Chinese restaurant here doesn't exactly serve food like they actually eat in China.
SO should we call Korean's "Mongolians"? Should the Koreans practice the Mongolian "Nomad" rules? Mongolians were around for millennia too.
A good Jew would be one that observes enough of the cultural tradition that you would certainly identify the person as being Jewish. I think that's a direct answer to your question.
No, they're Koreans because they come from the nation of Korea. Just as we would call a citizen of, or immigrant from, Israel an Israeli.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halakha <--- Jewish Law Then there is this.... And finally, this is one of the most important laws in Judaism. So if you are "Atheist", then wouldn't believing that God doesn't exist is "blaspheming against God"?
No offense Denny, but my question was, in reality, directed to GOD (the poster) based upon his experience as an atheist in the Jewish community. I'm not particularly interested in your opinion on this topic; I'm interested in his.
I am just replying to what GOD typed. He said to be a good Jew, you must practice their laws. Well I just stated the law Denny. Try and wiggle your way around this for the sake of argument, but its pretty clearly laid out. Well shit man! I want to be an Atheist Christian. I look to Jesus as a natural "godless" ideology. That one must adopt with their own hearts that the concept of "not being good enough to be recycled into a good part of the universe". But if I believe with my heart, the energy within my body will attract to a healthy element and I can live, through an atomic level on a part of the planet that is of good use." LMAO!!!!!
You don't get the duality of religion and race. Christianity is a NOT race. That's why your statement is ridiculous to even you.
So says you. "Judaism is not a race" --- Denny. It is a religion. Maybe you should look into the mirror when you say "ridiculous"
So this is actually something I did not know till a relative told me, so I asked my Rabbi about ten years ago. He said actions are what count. You do not need to believe. However, the actions are designed to create a relationship with god, so that even if you do not believe when you start following the mitzvots (which would include recitation of the shema), overtime you would develop a relationship. However, he made sure to point out that following the actions are what count. His explanation was at this point got a little weird. He said, if a person has terrible things in their heart, like they want to kill or rape, but their actions are such that they never do kill or rape, they can still be part of the community. Their actions are what counts. This took me a long time to wrap my head around because it is not at all similar to Christain society which is where I grew up. But once I really thought about it, I actually really respect this philosophy. Does it really matter that I think about Ms. HCP as long as I dont bang her?
I have a deep level of respect for you and your take on philosophy. I also have no doubt that you try and live by a good standard of Jewish Practice. But I personally believe that Judaism is a religion based on the principles of the Hebrew God. Many of the rules are set by God. I consider a Jewish person a religion, while I consider an Israelite or Hebrew the nationality. No offense buddy... Just my observation.
I am not claiming I am a good Jew, just that I am still a Jew. Basically, a good Jew follows the laws, a bad Jew ( or a non-practicing Jew ) does not follow the laws, but is still Jewish because his/her mother is Jewish.and finally, someone else who has not converted and whose mother is not Jewish is not a Jew, even if they follow all the laws. M
