Atheist Jew

[outhouse]

What has been missed so far.

One has to understand that religion Is only a part of the term Jewish.

Jewish can be defined by geographic location for some.

Cultural for others.

Heritage for some.

Religious for most.

Many Jews and Christians all have different levels of how much mythology they believe to be mythology, and not divine.

 

[Cephus]

Judaism isn't necessarily a religion, it is also a race and a culture. People can identify as Jewish by heredity and be atheist quite easily, I know quite a few who do so myself.

 

[metis]

Definitions here becomes important, namely with how one may define "atheist" and "Jew". If one says "I don't believe there are any god(s)", then that obviously is not compatible with Judaism. Many hedge their bets, such as a person like myself, who may say and take the position "Whatever caused this universe/multiverse I'll call 'God', and pretty much leave it at that". Some in Judaism may consider us heretics, some not, but that's where at least some of us are coming from.

 

[Avi1001]

Definitions here becomes important, namely with how one may define "atheist" and "Jew". If one says "I don't believe there are any god(s)", then that obviously is not compatible with Judaism. Many hedge their bets, such as a person like myself, who may say and take the position "Whatever caused this universe/multiverse I'll call 'God', and pretty much leave it at that". Some in Judaism may consider us heretics, some not, but that's where at least some of us are coming from.

Metis....I think I am a bit more "open tent" on this....I believe a Jewish atheist might consider that there is no G-d.....after all, isn't that what an atheist is ...?....on the other hand.....your definition sounds reasonable too.

I would say the key is....it's the Jewish atheist who gets to define what it is...not some group of CJs and OJs.....

As for me.....I am a reform Jewish, Jewish humanist, Jewish atheist, Jewish agnostic, Reconstructionist and Renewal Jew.....and if the folks in the DIR don't like that...........oh well...back to my blubber hunt........

 

[metis]

Metis....I think I am a bit more "open tent" on this....I believe a Jewish atheist might consider that there is no G-d.....after all, isn't that what an atheist is ...?....on the other hand.....your definition sounds reasonable too.

I would say the key is....it's the Jewish atheist who gets to define what it is...not some group of CJs and OJs.....

As for me.....I am a reform Jewish, Jewish humanist, Jewish atheist, Jewish agnostic, Reconstructionist and Renewal Jew.....and if the folks in the DIR don't like that...........oh well...back to my blubber hunt........

LOL!

I use this as a definition of "atheist": a person who believes there is/are no god(s). OTOH, I use this definition for "agnostic": a person who is unsure as to whether there is/are a god(s).

I mention this because some apply the term "atheist" to the second definition as well, so when one talks about an "atheist", it sometimes is unclear to me which definition they're using.

Therefore, to me, an "atheist" (using the first definition) cannot be compatible with Judaism (still a "Jew" though), whereas an "agnostic" can, in my book, but then I tend to think that they must at least adhere to some or most of the Law. If one strips away both a belief in God and also the Law, how can that be "Judaism"?

However, one can certainly question both, and probably most of us do to a varying extent, so this questioning, and possibly even lots of doubting, still, imo, can fall within the "Judaism" range

But then, what do I know.

 

[Yerda]

There are also atheist Christians and at least one atheist Muslim (he's on RF).