What is Judaism?

Discussion in 'Religion Archives' started by S.A.M., Aug 27, 2009.

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  1. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    What does it mean to its followers today?

    What do they think of their scriptures in the context of modern life and how do they conciliate the theory and practice of the Torah with modern living?
     
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  3. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    As far as I can tell, they practice it the same way they have for hundreds of years. Judaism is adaptable and flexible rather than dogmatic and rigid. I don't know of any significant contradictions.
     
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  5. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    When you say adaptable and flexible what does it mean? They ignore the parts they don't like?

    e.g. how do Jews conciliate atheism with Judaism? Or homosexuality?

    Don't these break primary laws in Judaism?
     
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  7. Slysoon Registered Senior Member

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    Judaism is a group evolutionary strategy more than it is anything else. Judaism has evolved to identify Jews in a primarily ethno-racial sense rather than a religious sense, which is why ideological and theological differences amongst Jews do not hinder Jewish identity.
     
  8. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    There are several different varieties of Judaism, including Orthodox Judaism and Reform Judaism. Their practices and attitudes vary. Didn't you know that, SAM? Have you tried wikipedia?
     
  9. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    And how does that alter my question? Does including atheists and homosexuals as Jews not break laws of the Torah if they belong to some sect?
     
  10. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    It doesn't alter your question, it answers it.

    The answer is: "It depends on the Jew".

    Although most of the problems you assign to "the Jews" would disappear if only they would not listen to you tell them what their beliefs and practices are, and that simple expedient is bound to occur to a few of them.
     
  11. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    More slight of hand, backdoor anti-semitism

    This site is really shaping up well

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  12. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Exactly. Which is why I am asking them.

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    How do Jews conciliate with breaking primary laws of the Torah as being compatible with Judaism?

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    or as the English translation says:

    2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

    3 Do not have any other gods before me.

    4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

    5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,

    6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

    7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

    8 Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

    9 For six days you shall labour and do all your work.

    10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns.

    11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.

    12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

    13 You shall not murder.

    14 You shall not commit adultery.

    15 You shall not steal.

    16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

    17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments

    Do they leave it to God? Do they assume it does not matter? Do they not care?

    What is the assumption?
     
  13. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    You are not. You're still here, with your question.

    Your question, as put here, has been answered.

    It depends on the Jew.
     
  14. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    How does anyone? How do some muslims reconcile blowing themselves up and killing other people with Islam? Do christians steal? Sure. Do you have pedophile priests? Yep. It looks like Jews just might be human afterall

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    Why theads like this remain open is beyond me. You all know that Sam isn't a total idiot and can recognize the stupidity of this question. Its obvious that this is just slight of hand bigotry yet you continue to allow it. Amazing.
     
  15. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    I'm waiting for a [self defined] Jew to answer them.
     
  16. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    As if any self-respecting jew would even give this topic the time of day.
     
  17. EntropyAlwaysWins TANSTAAFL. Registered Senior Member

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    An excellent example of self defeating criteria.
     
  18. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Probably I have a better opinion of Jews than you do, since I have no doubt at all that at least some of them will respond to the questions. Most religious people are quite willing to discuss their religion, it would be very strange indeed that any of the Jews would not.
     
  19. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    That will not, of course, answer your questions, because the embodiment of "the Jew" does not exist.

    But as noted that doesn't matter, because you have the answer already.
     
  20. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    Because they of course know what a high opinion you have of them.

    :roflmao:

    Feel the love so to speak.
     
  21. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    One can never really have all the answers, can one?

    Meanwhile, some of the teachings of Judaism which I am wondering about, do Jews believe in this?

    e.g. what is the Torah?


    the basics of Jewish belief:

    The Temple and The Jews:

    Are these basic beliefs of Judaism relevant?

    source: http://www.torah.org/
     
  22. iceaura Valued Senior Member

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    One can have the answer to your questions here, and you do: It depends on the Jew.

    It depends on the Jew.

    Again: the simple expedient of not telling Jews what their beliefs are, what their religion says, etc, will facilitate the whole process of getting to that answer - you don't need the long quotes and stuff.
     
  23. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    Are the basic tenets of ANY religion relevant. The answer to these questions are the same as they are for christians, muslims and buddhists. This is simply religious baiting.
     
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