[–] 7even6ix2wo ago (edited ago)
Secular Jew, but I heard that the clerics will reject something from the Torah if science ever proves it to be false.
[–] Le_Squish 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I recommend just finding a liberal or conservative synagogue and talking to the local Cantor or Rabbi and just tell the you want to study Judaism. The Orthodox synagogues usually won't let you study if you express disinterest in converting. I studied for 3 years this way and it was an enlightening experience. Also, Jews aren't afraid to debate the hard questions which is very refreshing for a skeptical mind.
[–] Vainglorious98 [S] ago
I'll keep that in mind. Also, that's very interesting to know. Usually muslims and christians take the matter to heart and accuse you of insulting their religion, as though scrutiny is bigotry and blasphemy.
[–] Le_Squish 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I guess, you won't find the idea of the "living" word as prevalent among Jews. Christians and Muslims tend to see their holy books as unfalliable, divine works that are always relevant and right while Jews are a lot more likely to place their holy books in their proper historical and cultural context. There's always ignorant zealots in every group but Jews value their identity and cohesion as a race and culture over signifigant differences in their religious philosophies.
[–] KleanRider 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Why don't you do your own research? I find it ironic that you came from a religion that told you what to believe and here you are asking people to tell you what to believe...
[–] Vainglorious98 [S] ago (edited ago)
You're sounding a bit narrow minded.
A: look at context, this is an atheistic group full of apostates and insightful people who have strong opinions on atheism. It's not a bad place to ask about religion.
B: I'm not going to simply believe whatever people tell me without researching it first, if you look carefully a lot of claims made in comments have cited their sources to strengthen credibility.
And C: I've clearly said that I've "researched" Christianity and Islam, and now I've set my sights on Judaism. If I still simply believed everything I heard without question I'd still be a muslim.
Seriously man, don't immediately jump to conclusions. That's what a lot of us did when we first heard of the "higher power", resulting in becoming pious.
Basically, if you've researched Christianity, you're close to done. Judaism is the old testament of the Bible, plus the Talmud. All the same arguments apply. To me it's even more crazy than Christianity though, since it doesn't have the new testament to soften the crazy from the old.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] el_em_en_oh 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Man created god(s) to explain the unexplainable.
Ooooohhhhhh... look at the lightning streaking across the sky! Must br a 'Lightning God' up there that's not very happy with us!
Ooooohhhhhh... it hasn't rained in 3 months and all our crops are dying. We better sacrifice a goat to satisfy to rain god so he'll make it rain!
Ooooohhhhhh... that giant ball of light in the sky sure is awesome. We better pray to the sun god so it'll continue to shine on us!
Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc, etc.
I respect people's faith, but I have none of my own. I don't necessarily respect their RELIGION, but I respect the fact that THEY have faith.
As for your question, can't help you there, but thought I'd chime in.
[–] Vainglorious98 [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Chime in as you please, I also agree with your standpoint. People can believe in whatever they want (as long as it's not harming anyone), while I might not respect their ideology I'll acknowledge that this how they think.
Also, science has come a long way. I mean man once looked up in the stares and wondered why and how it existed, it was somewhat rational to form deities to fill in the blanks seeing as there wasn't much counter argument. Now in our modern era we know what's out there and how it came to be.
All in all, through critical thinking we should be able to assess truth based on evidence, reason, and logic, because believing in something that doesn't exist is just gonna keep our brains from liberation and expansion. As the saying goes, "Ritual is what happens when we run out of rational."
[–] Diogenes_The_Cynic 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I'm Jewish. What do you want to know?
[–] Vainglorious98 [S] ago (edited ago)
I think all religions are man made and it's impossible with my finite life to research them all to be upmost sure. I've got nothing against Jews, but I categorize religion as an ideology and I think we'd live in a more peaceful world without religion.
My question, as stated above, isn't really made for a Jewish person to answer because it's more about debunking your religion. I've heard of ex-Muslims and read their story, same for ex-Christians, and now I'm interested in hearing the story of ex-Jews.
Like I said this question really isn't made for a devout Jew to answer though I do have a question: Does sexism exist in your religion? Are woman subordinated to second class beings, inferior to men?
[–] Diogenes_The_Cynic 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
As far as academic sources go, there is documentary hypothesis. There is also the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Samaritan Bible that strongly challenge the narrative that Judaism has an unbroken chain of tradition stretching to mount Sinai.
If you're not into that, there are "off the derech" blogs, some of which are well written. Also see "Aish discovery seminar" responses, or "a critical view of".
Does sexism exist in Judaism? Yes.
Are women subordinated? Thats a more complex question. There are some Jewish communities where women have very limited options, but there are others where they earn the overwhelming majority of the money.
Hope this answers some of your questions, and if you have any more I'm open to answering them.