What is the worst thing about your religion?

To be properly contentious and obstreperous, the Orthodox Jews are the only ones with staying power. Therefore, ergo, we will be the last men (and women) standing in the end.
There are very few (none?) grandchildren of Reform or secular Jews.

So my forecast is this:

"It is a tree of life for those who hold fast to it..."

as long as it can serve as a spiritual path.

Dauer

May our words find expression in holy actions. It is appropriate that a religious document, which looks to the infusion of kedushah, holiness, in our lives, should conclude with a prayer that we be successful in accomplishing that difficult goal.. Though the composition and passing of the Pittsburgh Principles was itself a major accomplishment, it will ultimately be for naught if it does not become a spur for Reform Jews to examine our beliefs and practices, to dedicate ourselves to ongoing, serious Jewish learning, and to a lifelong dialogue with God, with the Torah, and with the People Israel. This commentary is intended to encourage all Reform Jews to enter into dialogue with the statements of the Pittsburgh Principles, and to resolve to use them to enhance the kedushah of their lives wherever they may dwell. Ken yehi ratzon-May it be God's will that we succeed.

Dauer: that's just the thing: how are you supposed to know there -is- a god if everything is subject to interpretation? The torah is a collection of storied to be mused upon, as is the bible. So why deem it a doctrine of truth in the first place?

Yes, I do see the world as very black and white in terms of fact and non-fact. Sure, we are limited by our amount of contact and our senses, but we have gotten very far as a species using facts. We have gone to the moon because of facts. Evidence + observation = the road to fact.

We have no evidence of god or observation of god. Why on earth should we, educated people, believe in a god?

Especially in a god who can sometimes be very cruel - both in fiction (killing egyptians first borns, testing abraham) and in reality (the existance of viruses, death of good people.)

When it comes down to it, a world without an interventionist god just makes more sense. Both catholics and Jews value higher education, and their members seem to stay in the religion - despite the trend that higher education means less belief in god.

As far as I can tell, cultural and social benefits [of religion] abound. I really miss the connections that I had through the synagogue. I could sing, play music, go to dances, go on retreats, have a close community, have a way to celebrate birth and mourn death. But all of this is cheated by the fact that it centers aroud traditions that seem to no longer apply to contemporary life, and a god which is cruel and unproven.

(And, not to mention, one that comes with a good serving of persecution.)

And, in addition to being unnecessary, it means people will be continually trying to kill or persecute you?

I appreciate your considerate responses. However, I still fail to see the point.

What advantages are there to being Jewish, if it can mean the exact same thing as being agnostic "A non-fundamentalist method of teaching about Jewish principles of faith, along with the belief that no Jew needs to accept all, or any, principles of faith."

And, in addition to being unnecessary, it means people will be continually trying to kill or persecute you?

I like the approach of questioning - but that is also not a methodology that is unique to Judaism.

Portal Star wrote:

And, in addition to being unnecessary, it means people will be continually trying to kill or persecute you?

Ouch, Portal Star. Yes, people continue to kill and persecute Jews, but, IMHO, that is no reason to dismiss one's ethnicity out of hand. Again, I am not an observant Jew, but I would certainly hope that nobody (including you) allows any decision to be dictated by the bullies of the world.

Portal Star wrote:

I appreciate your considerate responses. However, I still fail to see the point.

What advantages are there to being Jewish, if it can mean the exact same thing as being agnostic "A non-fundamentalist method of teaching about Jewish principles of faith, along with the belief that no Jew needs to accept all, or any, principles of faith."

There are agnostic reconstructionists, as well as atheist reconstructionists. There's nothing wrong with being agnostic or atheist. What I noticed about you is that a) you have been rejecting something that isn't quite Judaism at all. and b) you seem to have a strong connection to Jewishness. You would find many people who could relate to your situation in a Recon community.

You've said already what you miss about Judaism. Why does there need to be anything more than that? In my case I am looking for an encounter with God, whatever God is. You seem to be in a different situation.

Quote:

And, in addition to being unnecessary, it means people will be continually trying to kill or persecute you?

I'm not sure I understand. Have you had trouble making peace with this? I don't see this as such a problem these days. The largest problem is groups like J4J who try to convert ignorant Jews. Mostly I'd say we're doing okay. What do you think is the cause of persecution of the Jews? What perpetuates it?

I like the approach of questioning - but that is also not a methodology that is unique to Judaism.

This makes a lot of sense, in terms of what I said earlier, but I'd still feel false. Religion without god is like dancing with no music. What's the point?

Actually, I have experienced plenty of trouble related to it. It was only occasional when I lived up north - people telling me to repent, that jews killed jesus, or their parents wanting them to dump me. (Or the more subtle, constant invitation/forcing to attend church and church lock-ins.)
But here in Texas I never even mention my roots. I used to get beat up for it in summer camp in a bad part of San Antonio, and now even in the most liberal part of texas, the Christian majority don't like Jews. I hear people telling Jew jokes (mostly about how jews are stingy) or using "jew" as a word for a means of price lowering.

Also, many contemporary jews (such as my mother) cling to these stereotypes as a means of uniting themselves, further perpetuating the negative perception. (My mother insists on bargaining down in the most ridiculous of places, like asking to use five of what is clearly a one only coupon, and then blaming it on being Jewish - instead of being plain rude.)

As for Jews for Jesus, there's a word for that. In fact two. Christian. And also, Denial.

But it's a good example of how Judaism is very much a culture - one that converting jews have trouble parting with when they convert to Christianity.

Why is it a persecution? Why is it perpetuated? Because it is not the predominant religion (since christianity and islam) and both see Jews as people unaccepting of the most important part of their religion - the messiah. Some even say that the jews killed Jesus, therefore Jews are evil, and many disagree with the Israelites policy on the middle east conflict, and tie that discontent in with all followers of Judaism.

On the opposite side of things, the Jewish people always assumed I wasn't jewish, because my family is from Russia and are light skinned. I'm half Russian jew, and forty percent English and the rest Scotch and Cherokee. (Couple that in with a Japanese name and culture and you have confusing ethnic roots.)

Not to mention that most Jews are as liberal politically as you can get, while I'm a libertarian.

I think you are taking a personal general spiritual/philisophical methodology and superimposing concepts of Judaism over it.

When it comes down to it, aren't most people religious because that was the way they were brought up? Not because it's right or wrong, but because it's a group where you are comfortable?

And, if you don't mind my asking, are you a Rabbi? You sound like a reformed rabbi.

Oh, side note, I really miss traditional Hasidic jewish music. I love the F sharps and the quirky pace changes, and the beautifully sad classic guitar. Slowly, like cancer, all the synogogues got organs, and their songs changed from minor to major. I swear, in a few years the hora is going to sound like "Ave Maria."