There is a certain amount of intellectual freedom to think about novel ideas when you don't have to deal with having actual political power or government duties, though. Some ideas are very lovely on their own - and rather disastrous as a practical guide in the real world.
But I really do appreciate the attitude that, basically, all questions may be asked, and answers need not always be 'according to creed'.
Judaism and thinking about God
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
-
Cootie Brown
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:34 pm
- Location: TN
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
I understand, most religions are like having a giant monkey on your back. My experience has been that religion is about guilt, shame, and fear. The joy parts are few and and far between. The feeling there is a big eye in the sky that is always watching you & recording every thing you do is always present. And the knowledge that whatever "works" you do it will never be enough. Heaven is an unattainable illusion. The golden ring that can never be obtained.
Shedding all of that is the most glorious feeling of true freedom a person can experience. The ability to live your life as you see fit & not be accountable to your brothers & sisters in Christ or under their watchful judgmental eyes is so liberating. And to know there is no giant eye in the sky that is watching & recording every thing you do and say brings a feeling of peace that I never experienced as a Christian.
Shedding all of that is the most glorious feeling of true freedom a person can experience. The ability to live your life as you see fit & not be accountable to your brothers & sisters in Christ or under their watchful judgmental eyes is so liberating. And to know there is no giant eye in the sky that is watching & recording every thing you do and say brings a feeling of peace that I never experienced as a Christian.
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
Christianity works from an assumption that 'everyone is lost and needs saving'. Judaism proceeds from an assumption that 'everyone is normal and has choices'. (NOT that 'everyone is wonderful')
If your default position is that you must 'be saved' then you must always be working to 'earn' that. If your default is that you are no worse or better than the rest of the world, then the pressure isn't nearly as difficult to handle.
I don't actually think that 'normal' Christianity is nearly as severe as some varieties tend to teach, though. But humans sometimes take the darkest view possible, and run with it.
If your default position is that you must 'be saved' then you must always be working to 'earn' that. If your default is that you are no worse or better than the rest of the world, then the pressure isn't nearly as difficult to handle.
I don't actually think that 'normal' Christianity is nearly as severe as some varieties tend to teach, though. But humans sometimes take the darkest view possible, and run with it.
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
So agreed.....agricola wrote:Christianity works from an assumption that 'everyone is lost and needs saving'. Judaism proceeds from an assumption that 'everyone is normal and has choices'. (NOT that 'everyone is wonderful')
If your default position is that you must 'be saved' then you must always be working to 'earn' that. If your default is that you are no worse or better than the rest of the world, then the pressure isn't nearly as difficult to handle.
I don't actually think that 'normal' Christianity is nearly as severe as some varieties tend to teach, though. But humans sometimes take the darkest view possible, and run with it.
Pittsburgh
Jewish privilege
Is being white passing,
But being hated by white supremacists.
Jewish privilege
Is getting bullied in grade school
For having a big nose,
For eating weird foods,
For celebrating different holidays.
Jewish privilege
Is being personally blamed
For killing Jesus,
Even though you're only a kid.
Jewish privilege
Is learning the "k word"
When someone calls you that.
Jewish privilege
Is being stared at
Anytime a teacher brings up the holocaust.
Even in college.
Jewish privilege
Is having trouble putting a pin on a map where your family is from
Because the government
Didn't consider them citizens
Jewish privilege
Is being afraid to pick up money you've dropped
Because you don't want to look like a walking joke.
Jewish privilege
Is seeing your fellow Jews die
And having the president say they would have been safe,
If only they had prayed with guns.
- Sarah L. Young, October 31, 2018 (facebook author page)
Is being white passing,
But being hated by white supremacists.
Jewish privilege
Is getting bullied in grade school
For having a big nose,
For eating weird foods,
For celebrating different holidays.
Jewish privilege
Is being personally blamed
For killing Jesus,
Even though you're only a kid.
Jewish privilege
Is learning the "k word"
When someone calls you that.
Jewish privilege
Is being stared at
Anytime a teacher brings up the holocaust.
Even in college.
Jewish privilege
Is having trouble putting a pin on a map where your family is from
Because the government
Didn't consider them citizens
Jewish privilege
Is being afraid to pick up money you've dropped
Because you don't want to look like a walking joke.
Jewish privilege
Is seeing your fellow Jews die
And having the president say they would have been safe,
If only they had prayed with guns.
- Sarah L. Young, October 31, 2018 (facebook author page)
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
Kaddish for Pittsburgh
I am so tired
And so afraid
And so tired of being afraid.
After a shooting we send thoughts and prayers
But today in the shul,
People were thinking
And praying.
A baby was given his name,
Punctuated by the sound of gunfire
As his community was slaughtered.
I'm reminded of a story I read once
Of a Brit mila happening during the holocaust.
The moyel's hands were shaking as the family heard the boots
Of SS guards just outside.
The mother turned to the moyel and whispered
"If he must die, he will die a Jew"
And the baby was circumcised and named.
And although the SS were doing an inspection of the school next door,
And not there for the family of Jews
Hiding in an abandoned building,
They were so close to death.
That baby today was just as close.
He may as well be named Kaddish
For the prayer over the dead,
Which he will say all his life,
For the community he lost on the day
He joined it.
His lips will move,
His tongue twisting over the complicated sounds
Of Aramaic.
Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba.
He will learn the words
B’alma di v’ra chirutei, v’yamlich malchutei,
That no child should ever have to.
b’chayeichon uv’yomeichon uv’chayei d’chol beit Yisrael,
He will chant them yearly
baagala uviz’man kariv. V’im’ru: Amen.
With his congregation,
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach l’alam ul’almei almaya.
Eleven members fewer than when they woke up this morning
Yitbarach v’yishtabach v’yitpaar v’yitromam v’yitnasei,
As they walked to shul
v’yit’hadar v’yitaleh v’yit’halal sh’mei d’Kud’sha B’rich Hu
To offer their thoughts and prayers to G-d
l’eila min kol birchata v’shirata,
For a nation so broken
tushb’chata v’nechemata, daamiran b’alma. V’imru: Amen.
As to let this happen.
Y’hei sh’lama raba min sh’maya,
Every year on this day,
The shul will take three steps back
v’chayim aleinu v’al kol Yisrael. V’imru: Amen.
Bow to each side and then forward.
Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu yaaseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael. V’imru: Amen.
They will say these words as they pray for the dead,
Pray for the mourners,
And pray for peace.
May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel
V’imru,
And let us say,
Amen.
Sarah L. Young, October 27, 2018 (author's facebook page)
I am so tired
And so afraid
And so tired of being afraid.
After a shooting we send thoughts and prayers
But today in the shul,
People were thinking
And praying.
A baby was given his name,
Punctuated by the sound of gunfire
As his community was slaughtered.
I'm reminded of a story I read once
Of a Brit mila happening during the holocaust.
The moyel's hands were shaking as the family heard the boots
Of SS guards just outside.
The mother turned to the moyel and whispered
"If he must die, he will die a Jew"
And the baby was circumcised and named.
And although the SS were doing an inspection of the school next door,
And not there for the family of Jews
Hiding in an abandoned building,
They were so close to death.
That baby today was just as close.
He may as well be named Kaddish
For the prayer over the dead,
Which he will say all his life,
For the community he lost on the day
He joined it.
His lips will move,
His tongue twisting over the complicated sounds
Of Aramaic.
Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba.
He will learn the words
B’alma di v’ra chirutei, v’yamlich malchutei,
That no child should ever have to.
b’chayeichon uv’yomeichon uv’chayei d’chol beit Yisrael,
He will chant them yearly
baagala uviz’man kariv. V’im’ru: Amen.
With his congregation,
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach l’alam ul’almei almaya.
Eleven members fewer than when they woke up this morning
Yitbarach v’yishtabach v’yitpaar v’yitromam v’yitnasei,
As they walked to shul
v’yit’hadar v’yitaleh v’yit’halal sh’mei d’Kud’sha B’rich Hu
To offer their thoughts and prayers to G-d
l’eila min kol birchata v’shirata,
For a nation so broken
tushb’chata v’nechemata, daamiran b’alma. V’imru: Amen.
As to let this happen.
Y’hei sh’lama raba min sh’maya,
Every year on this day,
The shul will take three steps back
v’chayim aleinu v’al kol Yisrael. V’imru: Amen.
Bow to each side and then forward.
Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu yaaseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael. V’imru: Amen.
They will say these words as they pray for the dead,
Pray for the mourners,
And pray for peace.
May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel
V’imru,
And let us say,
Amen.
Sarah L. Young, October 27, 2018 (author's facebook page)
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
Mourner’s Kaddish in English Translation
Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in the heavens,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen. (v'imru Amen)
Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in the heavens,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen. (v'imru Amen)
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
Thank you for sharing, agricola. I am so very sorry for the evil that happened to these good people as they were gathered to worship God.
-
Cootie Brown
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:34 pm
- Location: TN
Re: Judaism and thinking about God
The list of atrocities committed in the name of some God would fill a library. As a former believer I know how easy it is to ignore all the dark and evil beliefs, teachings, & traditions that are part of some religions.