FIRST PERSON
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My Crush On Catholicism | |
| Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s religion | ||
 by Aaron Hamburger, August 8, 2007
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Recently a lapsed Catholic friend confessed a serious case of religion envy—for the religion I happened to be born into. “I’ve always had a strong admiration for Judaism,” he told me. “If I had to choose any religion, it would be yours.” Ironically, I had a similar confession to make: I’d always felt the same way about the Catholic Church.
In an age when schoolchildren in the most goyish suburbs learn to sing “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” alongside “Silent Night,” when churches and synagogues engage in interfaith outreach, and where politicians regularly lump sharply contrasting belief systems together under the category of “faith,” it shouldn’t be surprising that religions can seem interchangeable. Especially when your own religion feels a bit lacking. Don’t like fasting on Yom Kippur? Why not try on Catholicism for size? Unhappy with the latest Pope? Drop by your neighborhood synagogue or mosque. But religious values aren’t a Chinese menu, where we can pick two from Column A and three from Column B to suit ourselves. In fact, the better metaphor here would be a delicately balanced house of cards; pull out one from the middle, and the whole thing comes crashing down.
Making Catholics want to be Jews since 1909: Isaiah BerlinAs my friend explained his high regard for Judaism, I realized that he was attracted to certain Jewish cultural traditions but didn’t realize how they fit into a larger philosophical framework. He had two reasons for his high regard for Judaism, beginning with our people’s famous penchant for heterodoxy. Unlike Catholicism, we have no Vatican that issues The Final Word which all Jews must follow. He also admired our tradition of scholarly debate: rabbis carrying on heated discussions long into the night, not to mention Jewish writers and intellectuals like Isaiah Berlin and Hannah Arendt carrying on that tradition in the secular culture. My friend found this refreshing compared with Catholicism, in which the word of God goes directly through the church to its adherents, with no room for questioning.
I found it difficult to recognize the religion he was describing. True, we lack a central authority, and our rabbis don’t hector us from the pulpit like stereotypically stern Irish priests. But then our rabbis don’t need to hector us, as the Jewish laity has more than ably fulfilled that role. Judaism emphasizes faith performed in the context of a community (which is why, in order to pray, you need the presence of ten adult males.) Step outside its accepted norms and you’ve got two choices: subject yourself to an earful about it from family, friends, and strangers, or walk away from the community.
And while there is a lot of debate in religious circles, I wouldn’t necessarily categorize it all as intellectual since it focuses mostly on matters of ritual rather than philosophy. (What’s so intellectual about a debate over whether it’s permissible to put sugar into tea or tea into sugar on Shabbat?) This reflects Judaism’s emphasis on practice over intent—the here-and-now over the metaphysical. Our leaders often find themselves absorbed in such profundities as the proper way to slit the throat of a chicken. In fact, most of our greatest intellectuals (Spinoza, Marx, Freud) were reacting against the grain of our religion, not with it. Compare this to Catholicism, which inspired St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Dante.
Beat that, Judaism: Notre Dame in ParisAnd that’s why, as I told my friend, I’ve long had a secret case of religion envy for Catholicism, with its emphasis on the soul, not rituals. Catholics have the freedom to live their daily lives as they see fit, because Catholicism has few rules governing the banalities of what to eat or what clothes to wear. Also, especially in contrast with Jews, Catholics have a much better knack for pageantry and decoration. Walk into any Catholic cathedral and then a Jewish synagogue; which space is more likely to inspire a state of awe and meditation conducive to prayer? Perhaps the chief source of my Catholic religion envy, though, is the ritual of confession. Imagine it, free therapy! For a Jew, what could be a bigger wet dream?
But as my friend quickly pointed out, Catholicism’s fetishization of the soul can become meaninglessly ritualistic in itself. Catholics can eat shrimp to their heart’s content, but their penalty for breaking the faith’s few key rules is rather extreme: an eternity in hell or a slightly shorter time in purgatory. As for Catholicism’s theatrical pageantry, it’s fun to look at occasionally, but after a while, it can all get a bit tacky, even gruesome. The point is not to inspire individual meditation, but mass conformance to Catholic dogma. And Confession isn’t a bit like therapy. The priests aren’t there to sympathize but merely to help you atone—all in all, a ritual as empty as the rabbi of a synagogue with over a thousand members shaking a congregant’s hand on Shabbat.
That’s when it hit me: Understanding someone else’s religion is like learning a language. You can’t just translate the words one-to-one. Rather, you have to begin by tackling the logic of the whole supporting system underneath.
100% halal: A kosher symbol on a soda bottleIt’s not just a question of Judaism and Catholicism, either. I find it lovely that many Muslims search for the kashrut symbol on non-meat products in American grocery stores because a kosher product is often also halal. Keeping kosher and eating halal, however, are hardly the same thing. In fact, one of the reasons kosher meat is not considered halal is that kashrut is based on the Jewish principles of cleanliness and the ethical treatment of animals. Halal rules incorporate these principles, but they privilege the uniquely Islamic value of submission to God’s will, which is why a prayer affirming the greatness of Allah must be uttered immediately preceding the animal’s slaughter.
Why do we feel the desire to mold unfamiliar religions to fit our own wishes and ideals? Maybe in an era of terrorism and armed conflict in the name of God, we want to comfort ourselves by affirming the notion that deep down we really are all the same. (We are, but our religions aren’t). For some of us, religion envy may be a symptom of a consumer society in which almost every product can be customized to fit each customer’s specific tastes. “Would you like your sandwich on whole wheat, foccacia, rye, white, country Tuscan, country Tuscan whole wheat, or country Tuscan whole wheat low-carb?” “Would you like your religion belief-centered, practice-centered, monotheistic, pantheistic, ritual-heavy, or ritual-lite?”
The more I hashed the matter out with my Catholic friend, the more it became clear that our religion envy came out of sadness, even regret. Just as children idealize their friends’ parents when their own parents seem not to understand them, we too idealized each other’s faiths (and denigrated our own) because of our desire to correct what we saw as the flaws of the religions we’d been born into. Religion envy is a band-aid, but it doesn’t quite fit over the wound.
Inscribed "I had a blast at Benjy's Bar Mitzvah": The pope's kippahFor example, my friend stumped me with the following un-Jewish question about Judaism: “What happens if you don’t go to synagogue? Is that a sin? Does that mean you’re going to hell?” He’d been turned off from Catholicism after being told that skipping church on Sundays was a mortal sin.
But Judaism addresses the subject of hell only in passing, with scant detail. For all Judaism’s rules, our emphasis is not on doing right to receive a reward or avoid a punishment, but on doing right for its own sake. Perhaps the best answer I could come up with was, in true Jewish form, another question: “Does the Pope wear a yarmulke?”
Similarly, in all my questions about Catholicism’s emphasis on spirituality the name “Jesus Christ” never came up. In fact, I was surprised when my friend explained that you can’t be a good Catholic without affirming your belief in Christ as the Son of God who once walked on Earth and died for our sins. “But what if, even if you’re not sure Jesus was divine, you follow all of his teachings to the letter?” I asked. Nope, not good enough. For Catholics, faith in Jesus’ godly status is a prerequisite. I’d been unable see this dogmatic aspect of Catholicism because I was too busy admiring the religion’s spirituality as an antidote for Jewish dogma.
If we must accept the notion that different faiths are indeed fundamentally different, where does that leave those of us who’d like to promote interfaith understanding, particularly now, when we’re so frightened of people who passionately believe things that are antithetical to our own belief systems? A false understanding of how other religions work is just as bad as no understanding. Instead of promoting untruths like “we all believe in the same God, just with different names,” we should approach the faith of the Other with a completely open, almost childlike sense of wonder and bewilderment. In other words, we should be adult enough to say something as juvenile as, “Wow, your god used to think if you eat meat on Fridays you’d go to hell? Interesting, but I don’t understand that at all. Tell me more.”
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Aaron Hamburger was awarded the Rome Prize by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy in Rome for his short story collection The View from Stalin's Head, published by Random House in March of 2004. His next book, a novel More... |
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SaraBenincasa
Interesting!
Good show, sir, good show.
Not Chosen Just...
I have a crush on Judaism.
I have a crush on Judaism.
Anonymous
Lovely writing
I would write more, and more thoughtfully, if I were not completely preoccupied with my Jehovah's Witness Nana who is 95 and trying to cope with cancer, but I had to post a little something to say this is a lovely piece and thought-provoking. I'm a former Catholic (we're like a Beneton ad but for religion in my household) Jew, so I know something about comparing religions and discovering that living in a religion is the only way to know it.
Amit
I've rarely seen any more rediculous generalizations
Kashrut based on cleanliness and compassion? Could you quote a source on that?
And since when do you need ten adults (not males, anymore, for most Jews) to pray? Anyone can pray alone!
mark_anthony
faith in faith
When you think that the three western faiths are built upon each other its sometimes easy to consider them so interchangeable.
I was brought up attending a protestant school going to church but there was little actual meaning taught to me as a child it was stand up here recite this amen and Christmas and Easter spent in a draftee church freezing my butt off.
but as i grew older i began to study my own beliefs and try and get them to reconcile with not only the church but with the wider world around me it was only when i study the old testament that i committed to conversion to Judaism
I’ve been kosher for four and half years and studying the torah for much of that time observing the high holidays (btw holidays that only you celebrate aren't quite so fun)
My faith is my best guess at a good way to lead my life, following as many mitzvahs as I can and in my studying Judaism has taught me the value of reason and logic tempered with compassion and faith
Descartes was a truly Jew at heart
And i think your crush on Catholicism is just hat envy ...cos the pope's does look pretty cool compared to our little black cap or ZZ top inspired wide brim cowboy hats
jewannabe
Good question
As a former Catholic preparing for conversion to Judaism, I understand your attraction to the rituals of Catholicism. For much of my life, it was the Mass -- especially when celebrated by a dedicated and charismatic priest -- that reaffirmed for me that Catholicism was God's religion. The pomp, the ritual, the repeated affirmations of what we as Catholics held as "truth" were, at certain points in my life, very comforting, uplifting and energizing.
When I first attended services at a Conservative synagogue -- while still a practicing Catholic -- the prayer and ceremony seemed cold in comparison. I remember thinking at that time that these poor Jews were missing out. Waiting for the Messiah seemed to leave them in an unfortunate state of longing. Believing in Jesus was much easier: God came to earth, laid out ways we were supposed to live, subjected himself completely to the evil of the world, rose above it to show we could too, and left behind a way for us to physically connect with him through the Eucharist. It was all wrapped up and ready for acceptance. Just believe!
Yet, over time, I found Catholicism couldn't hold up to scrutiny. My inquiries into Church teachings, doctrines and beliefs too often were met with the dead-end response of "Well, you just have to take it on faith." Still, separating myself from the Church didn't seem an option. The Church was one of the ways I connected with my family and friends -- and, in its flawed ways, to God. I knew of no other option. Now, with more than 17 years of marriage to a Jew, a daughter preparing for her bat mitzvah, and eight years of membership in a Reform community, I have found that Judaism's centuries-old foundation of thought and study gives it great flexibility and great stability in dealing with our evolving humanity. And while it is, indeed, a religion of laws and traditions, its strength comes from acknowledging the importance of asking questions, of wrestling with God.
One of my main concerns and frustrations with Judaism is that centuries of persecution have left Jews fearful of being open with non-Jews about their beliefs. To my mind, more of the world would be healed if there were a fuller understanding and acceptance of Jewish thought. If the way to start down that road to understanding and acceptance is, as you say, to "approach the faith of the Other with a completely open, almost childlike sense of wonder and bewilderment," so be it. Let's begin the dialogue with a (seemingly) simple, unthreatening question. And before asking the second question . . . Listen. What could be more human, more Jewish?
ADM
Hamburger weaves it again...
“Would you like your sandwich on whole wheat, foccacia, rye, white, country Tuscan, country Tuscan whole wheat, or country Tuscan whole wheat low-carb?” “Would you like your religion belief-centered, practice-centered, monotheistic, pantheistic, ritual-heavy, or ritual-lite?”
C'mon...you've just got to love a guy who knows how to spin words like that. The author's range--like an A-List actor--is stupendous.
Bring it on...like the pouring rain.
Milo
Entity In Conflict with Its Image in a Mirror
Both Judaism and Catholicism are Jewish inventions. The crowd that "lost", decided on revenge and "resurrected" their fallen leader. Taking a tough, inflexible party line, they have dragged the rest of us into this inner conflict down through the ages. The premise of this article is false. Both religions emphasize "spiritual debate". The only thing Rome gets upset about are threats to its´ "temporal power". Jerusalem just wants to be left alone...nothing has changed.
Anonymous
knowing one's own faith
Hamburger's knowledge of Judaism could fit on a small slice of cheese: Hell? A non Jewish Belief; You need 10 people to pray? - really, then I guess all those orthodox Jews who pray several times a day, by themselves, (washing hands before eating bread, before going to sleep etc.) are just uttering words to keep themselves company. Ham, suggest you learn about your own religion before writing again about a subject you know nothing about!
Bocian
Catholicizm
For me everyone can believe what he wont, with one reservation no hurting and killing in the name your faith. Like everyone probably now Catholicism is created from many pagan believes, well obviously this was happening when Church was invited not theirs land’sAnd who nowadays have this knowledge what was first a Jesus wards or a swords maybeHeads was cut down in this same time, who knows well what we can see is that Vatican like titanic going slowly down, and probably will sunk soon or later, purely because theywhen crusades was legal ands, and what left, only problem what cause problems of present Church peoples who representative this statue of morality , and what we now peoples create and building places , places like Vatican better not now what peoples there are and probably we will not no , fortunately we have a TV, Radio so we are inform. Simply I just can’t understand how someone can prey to corps on the tool of ancient methods of tortures, really that shot be forbidden, but it isn’t because we have freedom, and I just asking my self while someone is bitten for wearing kippa, no won is bitten for wearing a dead body on two sticks its strange bout that how its goes.
Anonymous
It is strange...
It is strange bout how it goes.
Anonymous
I've heard this too many
I've heard this too many times, i'm sure you all understand that Hamburger is refering to the minyan needed to daven properly for Shachris, Minchah and Ma'ariv. Seriously, maybe you all need to go back to Hebrew school (is that waht you reform people call it?)
nitpicker
Why wouldn't you have a crush?
To read the Hanukkah story, you have to borrow a Catholic bible.
Anonymous
What are mortal sins
"What happens if you don’t go to synagogue? Is that a sin? Does that mean you’re going to hell?” He’d been turned off from Catholicism after being told that skipping church on Sundays was a mortal sin."
I'm not sure whatt "mortal sin" means in catholicism. In Judaism, there are only a few sins for which one must sacrifice one's life to avoid (e.g., idol worship, some sexual depravity? and something else that I can't recall right now). Not attending synagogue is not on that list
Anonymous
Catholicism
I think maybe you should continue your dialog with you lapsed-Catholic friend but also with a practicing Catholic who may be able to better answer your questions and one who does not have a negative image of the Church. Some of the statements presented are inaccurate.
Anonymous
Jewish Philosophers
If you are looking for a FANTASTIC Jewish philosopher to read I very highly reccomend the writings of J.B. Soloveitchik. He is both was both a highly esteemed rabbi internationally as well as a professor of philosophy, a subject wich many of his books as well as his lectures addressed. In particular I would reccomend Lonely Man of Faith as well as Halachic Man. Both are philosophical works that discuss the nature of faith, they also discuss Judiasm in relation to post enlightenment philosophers. Definetly worth a read if you can make it through some tough language.
Dana
Hmm
Well written. Thought provoking. Though, I wouldn't agree that confession is unlike therapy. I find that they are similarly burden-lifting practices. I also wanted to add that an interesting book about the discovery of Judaism that some commentors might be interested in is 'Lovesong: On Becoming a Jew,' by Julius Lester.
Anonymous Muslim
Kosher meat is Halal too
In fact, I remember getting extremely psyched when I found a Kosher for Passover meal to break my fast in Ramadan when I did eat strictly "Halal".
Anonymous MPS
Explanation
"I've heard this too many times, i'm sure you all understand that Hamburger is refering to the minyan needed to daven properly for Shachris, Minchah and Ma'ariv."
Unless I've gathered wrong, this quotation refers to Hamburger's mention of needing ten males in order to pray. If Anonymous, who posted it, or another could explain the meaning of, "the minyan [need] to daven properly for Shachris, Michah and Ma'ariv". What's a minyan? What is davening and how is it done properly/poorly. And what are Shachris, Michah and Ma'ariv? I know I can look all those words up, and I will, but I'm convinced a deeper understanding will follow another person's actual explanation. Thanks.
And in response to the article, I've been on a low energy religious journey the past few years, and while I enjoy going to the Congregational church next to my school (Loosely, let's go with I was raised Protestant), I am intrigued by much of Judaism and have recently discovered Islam to have many attactive features. Similarities arise between them as well with Hinduism and Buddhism. I struggle. I don't think I'm alone in that.
anonymous
Orthodox Jewish prayer
In Orthodox Jewish terms...
A Minyan is gathering of ten or more mentally competent jewish males above the age of 13 (the age of "bar-mitzvah", or "son of commandment", when Jewish law considers him obligated in religious observance). It is the 'best' way to pray to G-d as it glorfies his name (a larger group) and, the Rabbis teach us, ensures the prayer[s] are accepted by heaven.
Davening = The act of praying
Shachris = Morning Prayer
Mincha = Afternoon Prayer
Maariv = Evening Prayer
Each is, on the whole, distinct, but with many common prayers and themes.
There are many aspects to Orthodox Jewish prayer, but there are two main elements:
1) Formal Litergy - This accomodates a few themes:
a) The sincere expression of basic ideas about G-d and our understanding of, and relationship to, Him. (e.g., God is great, thank you God for [life, this day, food, the Sabbath], please help us God, etc.)
b) Prayers in lieu of temple sacrifices, as there is currently no temple to perform the biblically mandated sacrifices.
c) Statements made as per commandment in the old testament (the "Torah"), including the rememberence of the exodus from Egypt.
2) Personal elements - There are areas in the prayer service where one can/should interject their own portions. These can take any reasonable form, and there are specific sections where supplications/entreaties of one type or another are encouraged.
Judaism is not really a religion, it is much more a way of life that is connected to a system of belief. For example, why kosher, phylactaries, shatnez (any mixture of wool and linen), and many others which are generally agreed to have no rational basis other than 'He said so.'
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