Sun, Nov 23, 2008

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Jewcy Book Club

Welcome Authors
Martin Samuel Cohen
&
Frances Dinkelspiel
who are posting all week.
Coming up:
  • 12/01:
    Benyamin Cohen
  • 12/01:
    Matthew Rothschild
  • 12/08:
    Seth Greenland

Jewish Atheism

The question I am currently asking myself:

 "Is it possible to be active in a Congregation without belief in G-d?"

The question itself is a contradiction since I affirm a higher power of sorts by typing G-d as G-d.  Nevertheless, I'm at a point where I view the Torah not as written by the Hand of G-d, yet I see value in living a somewhat religiously Jewish life.

 Does it sound shallow that I want my family and I to be part of a Congregation for the health benefits?  Meaning, there are studies that community, friendship, spirituality, etc. all can lead to a healthier lifestyle, better heart, less stress, blah blah blah.

Granted, I want my daughter to be fully Jewish.  Perhaps its more hope for her that she finds some comfort in it all.  Something I was never afforded by my completely non-religious parents...but very Jewish nonetheless.

Dennis Prager once discussed acts of charity.  In brief, two men give money to a homeless man.  One gives $5 with all his heart, the other gives $100 begrudgingly.  Which is better?  Prager makes the case the man who gives the $100 helped the homeless man more.  Bringing us back to a religion of deed, not thought.  Does it work the same way with my dilemma?  I guess that's Calvanistic Judaism...is that phrase copyrighted?  Dibs!

There are historical explanations for many of the laws in Torah.  Don't eat a pig...because you'll die.  Don't have gay sex...because that is what the Greeks, Romans, or insert occupying empire here does.  Don't make false idols...see the gay sex thing for explanation.  Point being that the laws I think of as being most well known in our culture can easily be explained away given the context of that time period.  Which means to me, they were created by man.

 Back to the original question, I still find myself writing G-d as G-d, kissing the Mezuzah as I leave the house praying that He protect my family, still kiss my daughter's forehead and say May the Lord Bless You and Keep You, still pray when my daughter says the Motzi at dinner.

I'm still a Jew, I think the conundrum is my "faith" belongs in the my culture, my traditions, and not necessarily in Him.

 Note: "Faith" is not a particularly Jewish word, but you hopefully get the meaning.

Anyone else been on a similar journey?  Affirmations? Condemnations?  Bring it.


 
Faith

Faith


Actually, nearly an exact journey.  I'm an atheist, through and through.  I'm also proudly, strongly Jewish. 

I struggle on very nearly a daily basis.  I try to celebrate holidays or fast days or commemorations with the intent in mind, rather than the part about a divine.  The traditions are important to me and I wish I could find a way to reconcile it all.   It is important to me to give mishloach manot - to remember suffering - to count the Omer for the introspection it gives me.  I haven't quite figured it out yet.  I'm a scientist yet the traditions are important.  I blog about it but I haven't reached an answer.

Let me know what you figure out.  I'm incredibly curious about how those like us are answering this question.

As for Faith not being a Jewish word, try growing up with the name.