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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:31 pm
I've heard many different things on what you must believe in to be a follower of Judaism. Some have said it doesn't even matter if you believe in God you just have to try to live a good life. I'm sure the different proclamations on this matter probably have something to do with what type of Judaism we're talking about.
If you don't believe in God or any of the professed beliefs would you still be a member of that tradition because of your ethnicity? What makes someone a member of the religion?
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:42 pm
Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture.
You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish.
There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:02 am
In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:50 am
Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:40 am
In Medias Res IV Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:53 pm
My religion lined up with my experiences. My mother raised me in a Methodist church; my gramma had me in a Baptist church, as a adult I tried Catholic, Jehovah witness, Muselum, non-denominational and Apostolic, I am currently Penecostal.
In one I was told that to speak in tongues was of the devil, in another I was told the white man was the devil, In another I learned women were valued less then men. Finally I had to take it to GOD in prayer. As a result I made a decision to be baptized. I change my clothes to get into the pool of water. To my surprise the only white minister in a church of 10 ministers was waiting in the pool to baptize me. When I came up out of the water I was speaking in another unknown language. Since that time I'm finding myself seeking GOD"s present more and more. I'm glad I searched. No religion is perfect as men come up with beliefs and interpretations. It's not about the title. Its about the contents and your relationship with GOD.
I experienced/ I believe.
god
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:57 pm
In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. I see. That makes sense. I was listening to this atheist radio station where they have different speakers come on and talk about one thing or another and one was about an atheist who said he was Jewish and still participated in the religious aspects which seemed sort of odd to me.
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:10 pm
Semiremis I've heard many different things on what you must believe in to be a follower of Judaism. Some have said it doesn't even matter if you believe in God you just have to try to live a good life. I'm sure the different proclamations on this matter probably have something to do with what type of Judaism we're talking about. If you don't believe in God or any of the professed beliefs would you still be a member of that tradition because of your ethnicity? What makes someone a member of the religion? Many people see the culture and the faith as the same thing. Someone being "Jewish" does not necessarily mean they practice the faith, but they do usually uphold one of the facets of the culture. For instance, many non-religious Jews I grew up with in family always loved Chanukah and Shoah services but never went to Yom Kippur. it became a traditon in culture but as for their faith it was gone. So, those who practice their faith and keep their culture are Jews. Those who convert to Judaism are not Jewish per say, but their children, according to the OU, (who is in power but hopefully not for long in Israel,) will be considered Jews. Those who practice noting but are cultural Jews are technically Jewish due to their ancestry, and even this is now being questioned in some circles among the Rabbinical Councils in Israel. it wont do anything though, as they have argued this for generations now. But meh. I say give those who don't practice their faith but live in the culture all need a kick to their kishkas.
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:14 pm
Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now. Well thats cool. I hope things can be patched up with your father. I am a Papa with four little girls and I pray daily that I may love them and understand them as they get older. Its hard, especially raising them one way only to see them turn towards something different. I would be hurt, but I will still love them as my own. I just hope I will understand, as I pray for this daily.
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:06 pm
Jewish is a the name of both a race of people and a religion. But just because one is Jewish by heritage does not mean they are a member of said religion.
I am Jewish by heritage. I have held a Torah, celebrated all the Jewish holidays, gone to Bar Mitzvahs, but I'm still not a member of the religion. I don't belief in YHVH and I haven't gone through a Bar Mitzvah myself. I just don't really fit the bill at all.
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Quotable Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:33 am
Semiremis I see. That makes sense. I was listening to this atheist radio station where they have different speakers come on and talk about one thing or another and one was about an atheist who said he was Jewish and still participated in the religious aspects which seemed sort of odd to me. Atheistic Jews tend to follow the traditions not for religious reasons but for tradition/familial/cultural reasons. I for instance consider myself a Reconstructionist Jew (essentially an atheist Jew), but still practice many of the "laws" because of how I was raised/as a celebration of my heritage (i.e. I do not eat pork/shellfish, I have a mezuzah on my door frame, I celebrate Hanukkah, etc.).
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:15 am
Vasilius Konstantinos Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now. Well thats cool. I hope things can be patched up with your father. I am a Papa with four little girls and I pray daily that I may love them and understand them as they get older. Its hard, especially raising them one way only to see them turn towards something different. I would be hurt, but I will still love them as my own. I just hope I will understand, as I pray for this daily. I have a sudden compulsive desire to watch The Fiddler On The Roof...
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Quotable Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:52 am
Nebulance Vasilius Konstantinos Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now. Well thats cool. I hope things can be patched up with your father. I am a Papa with four little girls and I pray daily that I may love them and understand them as they get older. Its hard, especially raising them one way only to see them turn towards something different. I would be hurt, but I will still love them as my own. I just hope I will understand, as I pray for this daily. I have a sudden compulsive desire to watch The Fiddler On The Roof... My mom just saw it live in Los Angeles a few days ago. Topol is still playing Tevye! *jealous*
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:17 pm
Vasilius Konstantinos Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Adorkable Tori In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble. very true. Thats my life story. ninja But my father is still being a total a** to me. So im not talking to him right now. Well thats cool. I hope things can be patched up with your father. I am a Papa with four little girls and I pray daily that I may love them and understand them as they get older. Its hard, especially raising them one way only to see them turn towards something different. I would be hurt, but I will still love them as my own. I just hope I will understand, as I pray for this daily.
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:57 pm
In Medias Res IV Having a Jewish identity encompasses many things. Because being Jewish means that you're a part of a nation of people, it is not only an ethnic group, but a religion, heritage, and culture. You do not need to have any sort of beliefs to be a Jew. If your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. You can convert to Catholicism or anything you like but you're still Jewish. This doesn't mean you're still bound by Jewish Law, it just means that your heritage is Jewish. There are far too many stories of women converting to Christianity and having children who later on findout that they are Jewish... part of this Jewishness truly protects them because they can return to the Jewish nation with absolutely no trouble.
I pretty much always agree with IMR.
A different way to think of the question, what makes me Jewish?
My religion is Reform Judaism.
Why am I Jewish?
I was born into it, having been born Shmuel to a Reform Jewish mother.
Because I believe in the One true god Hashem, Creator of all things.
Because I believe in the Ancient Israelites' covenant with Him through the Torah.
Because I believe in the values and ethics of Judaism such as Tikun Olam, repairing the world.
Because I feel that faith is important and though, as the Rambam said, G-d's existence can never be proven, I still can and do believe in Him.
Because i believe that G-d does have a plan and all bad things happen for a reason. though we have free will.
Because I am a fervent Zionist who believes in Israel, the Spiritual Homeland of the Jews, given to us by G-d thousands of years ago.
Because I feel a strong connection to my Homeland and Ancestry through the Holy Language Hebrew, which I speak fluently.
Because I believe in Circumcision from experience.
Because I believe I am a Chosen Person of G-d.
Why Reform Judaism?
Because I believe in Educated, Informed Decision about how we as Jews practice our covenant.
Because I fell that ethics are often more important than rituals in terms of commandments.
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