Religion & Beliefs

After yesterday’s post about the mikvah, I was contacted by a psychologist named Mark Guterman.  Mark is working on a related study at UC Berkeley, and he asked me to help him get the word out.  I promptly took the survey, and I’m glad I did.  It was pretty interesting.

So, for the sake of helping them get a cross section of the Jewish world, I urge you to take the survey too. It only takes 3 minutes, and you get to answer questions about whether you like to do it it the naughty way.

But here’s the catch to all this fun…the language Mark sent in his email:

Niddah and Negiah play an important role in the every day lives of Jewish men and women. … Anecdotal evidence and our previous research have led us to conclude that many couples and individuals are experiencing difficulties with this aspect of the Halacha.

Niddah and Negiah?  I’m pretty unlikely to respond to a survey about something I’ve never heard of.  If they want to reach a cross-section of Jews, they need to define their terms.

Later on in the intro to the survey, these terms get rephrased for us as “family purity”. But discussing “purity” is tricky too, when it gets made clear in the beginning that you’re “impure.”  I mean, how many orthodox Jews want to take a survey on being “out of touch with the real world” or “uptight”. 

I’m okay with being impure, but I don’t like being CALLED impure by someone who is asking for my time.

Regardless, I suggest that you take the survey, for a quick lesson in all the impure things you do.   Then come back and tell me what you thought.  I also suggest that Mark rewrite his intro.  Though I still can’t get over the idea that my husband can’t hold my fucking hand while I give birth.  That’s as wacky as silent birth. 

But let’s face it… religion is crazy, kids.

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