Real issue I'm dealing with - atheism vs judaism

Also want to point out I am not an expert or one that claims to know much about Judaism. I only know from the the perspective of someone who grew up as a disinterested youth.

 

Man.... being Jewish seems so much more complicated because the religion is so deeply rooted in the culture and the heritage. It would be like if my family still celebrated Viking rituals because they're part of our family heritage. I don't see anything wrong with it, but it's definitely complicated.

 

My family maintains our ethnic tradition, too. My grandfather has to pay me $10,000 to dress up as a leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day and dance him a private Irish Jig.

Many years ago I noticed that most of my dentists in California and the Northwest have been Seventh-Day Adventist. Recently I realized that this is because Adventist rhymes with dentist. This pertains to why almost all lawyers are Jewish. Judaism began with the invention of the rule of law. Jews worship judges the way Adventists worship shiny braces.

So Jews worship law and moral rules, not a god. And make $250 per hour doing it. Do I have that right?

 

The Bar Mitzvah is certainly complicated. The rest, perhaps that's how you see it, but I've never thought of it as such. I think it just seems that way because its not normal to you. For me, it's like the religion is super simple as long as you understand the culture. But the culture is complex.

Humor, for example, a very specific type of humor is a real part of the culture. The Rabbi, even giving a sermon will usually include humor, and it's a common held belief that humor was what brought our people through so many tragedies was Jewish humor. I've heard it pointed out, " is there a Christian humor section at the bookstore? Doubtful, maybe a book, but that's it. Is there a Muslim humor section? Certainly not". Ant that is said with a lot of pride that we are a culture that loves to laugh.

The reason is that when you are always being forced out, you need a coping mechanism.

My point is that the culture is complex but comes naturally because it is who I am and how I was raised. I love bagels and lox because our family always bought it to celebrate family coming together. The religion itself i find much less complicated than Christianity, no splitting of god into three entities, no having to think about the afterlife, no begging to be saved, no confessing, and much more. For Jews its just dont be an ass.

 

Jews don't worship the law, in fact we are taught to only do what is right independent of the law. That is why so many diaspora, the Jews would be asked to swear allegiance to a king but that law breaks the Jewish law, so they refuse to follow state law. So many civil rights activists were Jewish because we don't believe law is above being good.

It's not worshiping law, most Jews worship god. The reason for the lawyer thing is when you come from a culture that was never allowed to own land or amass much the goods department, you instead put your effort into what you can do. Jews were often allowed to be the money changers in society because its a job Christians were not permitted. So, lots of bankers. Jews has to have their wealth easily transportable, hence so many Jewish jewelry and diamond merchants. The lawyer, doctor stuff came from education being something you can take anywhere, always w study, always learn, wherever we arrive next, you will have your education.

 

Yep, but I also understand that on his own he came to not believe in god. His sister died after a month in the hospital, and I think this weighed heavily on him. I want him to at least embrace the culture, I don't give a toot if he believes or not.

 

I think I'm going to approach it kind of like I am in this thread, explain that belief doesn't matter, talk about family and culture, and yes denny, tell him that h can leave the religious side behind.

 

The number one killer of Jews were atheist believers. They killed more than hitler!

 

IIRC, many Jews are still awaiting Jesus (The Messiah) to come the first time.

Then, there are these Jews:

http://www.jewsforjesus.org/

 

Go find another thread

 

Yes, many believe there will be another prophet

Those aren't Jews, they are Christians.

 

There are many Messianic Jews in the world.

http://www.mjaa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=n_about_us_history

 

Was just adding an important element to atheism vs Judaism. It's the truth... The Russian communist movement killed more Jews than nazi Germany. I think it's weird that a Jew would overlook that.

 

It's weird that you would accept Judaism can accept atheism because its not a religious preference; yet you cannot accept that a Jew can adopt Christianity? Seems like a contradiction to me.

 

The definition of Christian is believing in Christ. If they call themselves Jews or baptists does not matter, they believe in Christ.

 

And.... You said "being Jewish" doesn't need religion to define a Jew. Well if your definition is true; then there is no problem being a christian. In fact the first Christians were Jews.