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Atheist Jew
- Thread starter pro4life
- Start date
I know many cultural Jews who aren't religious Jews.
Levite
Higher and Higher
To be perfectly honest, it's never made much sense to me, either. But Judaism is a socioreligious ethnicity, which means that it is an identity that incorporates elements of religion, culture, and nationality in one. Although those elements are actually inextricably intertwined, it is possible for someone who is Jewish (that is, they have a Jewish mother, or they were properly converted according to Jewish law) to focus on the cultural and national elements of their identity while essentially ignoring most of the religious elements in practice.
I don't personally see that as an effective or particularly helpful approach, but it is one that some people take, and like it or loathe it, it has nothing to do with whether such individuals are Jewish. Anyone whose mother was Jewish or who was properly converted is Jewish. If they are atheists, they may be, by our religious standards, in error, but they are still erring Jews.
I was so curious, I decided to look this up. ^_^
Interesting...
Can Atheists Be Religious? Are there Religious Atheists? Religion and Atheism Are Not Contradictory Or Opposites
Interesting...
Can Atheists Be Religious? Are there Religious Atheists? Religion and Atheism Are Not Contradictory Or Opposites
My brother in law pretty much fits the bill. He isn't much more religious than I am. But his whole family is Jewish as can be. He is teaching his children about the culture and traditions. He is very aware of and proud of his heritage, he just isn't a theist.
I don't think that this is all that unusual among Jews, here in the USA at least.
Tom
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
I am a reform Jew, and I hold certain atheist positions....especially wrt issues related to science.....but I do not think I am allowed to discuss this issue.....and, I besides, I already have a "whale situation" developing on-board.....
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Woodrow LI
IB Ambassador
It is quite complex.
As I am not Jewish I have no right to even attempt to explain Judaism.
but in Israel a very large number profess to be non-pracitcing and Israel is about 30% atheist.
What is Jewish Atheism?
Jewish atheism is practiced by atheists who are ethnically, and to some extent culturally, Jewish. Because Jewishness encompasses ethnic as well as religious components, the term “Jewish atheism” does not necessarily imply any kind of contradiction. Based on Jewish law’s emphasis on matrilineal descent,Orthodox Jewish authorities would accept as fully Jewish an atheist born to a Jewish mother.
A high percentage of Israelis identify themselves as secular, rejecting the practice of the Jewish religion (see Religion in Israel). While some non-believers of Jewish ancestry do not consider themselves Jews, preferring to define themselves solely as atheists, Judaism is arguably the paradigm example of the evolution of a culture and tradition that one can embrace without religious faith
SOURCE Atheists in Israel? Oh my God! | andyboy
It is common to find non-believing Jews that follow Jewish practices.
There are also many atheist Christians. People who are cultural Christians, go to church and celebrate Easter and Christmas and try to live by Christian morality, but don't really believe Jesus was God.
They just don't talk about it. If you are an atheist you don't have any need to explain anything. You just do whatever feels good. Even when that is going to church, baptizing your kids, giving to charity and being part of a community you have been your whole life.
Tom
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Monk Of Reason
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ
Its really common. To be a Jew you simply have to be born a Jew. To many Jews their culture is what is most important. They go to temple to learn life lessons or for community socialization. They more or less follow the commands that they are to upkeep and do good works. In Judaism you don't have to have faith or believe anything. You simply have to be a good person by the laws that have been given to you. A Jew can say he adamantly does not believe in god and still be Jewish.
Rick O'Shez
Irishman bouncing off walls
Yes, there is a growing minority of non-theist Christians, I've met several in the Quakers.
Rick O'Shez
Irishman bouncing off walls
It's certainly not unheard of; as has already been stated, it is fairly common for someone who is halachically Jewish to still identify with the cultural, ethnic, or religious aspects even after they have stopped believing in God.
And I know many religious Jews who quite often fall into the "agnostic" camp, but still carry on with their religious practice.
If I recall correctly, it is argued in the Talmud: It is better for a Jew to not believe in God and follow the Law than it is for him to believe in God but ignore the Law.
And I know many religious Jews who quite often fall into the "agnostic" camp, but still carry on with their religious practice.
If I recall correctly, it is argued in the Talmud: It is better for a Jew to not believe in God and follow the Law than it is for him to believe in God but ignore the Law.
Blackmarch
W'rkncacntr
there are different aspects of what it means to be a jew.
There is the religious aspect, the bloodline aspect, and the culture aspect. I'd wager that an "Athiest jew" would probably be more of a focus on the latter two.
gsa
Well-Known Member
This is not really that odd, nor is it restricted to Jews. To be sure, in Judaism there is a particular space for Jewish atheists because Jewish law recognizes born Jews and converts as Jews, regardless of their beliefs. But there is a similar phenomenon elsewhere. In the US and Europe and South America, there are people who are culturally Christian, in that they observe some or all major Christian holidays and even attend services without believing the doctrines of Christianity. The same is also true, though not vocalized often, in Islam.
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Indeed, the crew and I are on our way to Ninevah....and we hear that the Ninevite whales are hungry....for a few laughs...Do tell! I've never heard that expression before.
Quite frankly, I just don't see the problem. Religions shouldn't demand belief in God anyway.
I am a reform Jew, and I hold certain atheist positions....especially wrt issues related to science.....but I do not think I am allowed to discuss this issue.....and, I besides, I already have a "whale situation" developing on-board.....
This _is_ a debate area.
Avi1001
reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Tell that to a whale with two rows of sharp teeth and a wide open mouth....
Augustus
…
Plenty of 'cultural Muslims' where I live too. Not many would identify as atheist Muslims, but to all intents and purposes that is what they are.
For example, I know people who have broken their Ramadan fast with pork and alcohol. Maybe 'non-doctrinal' Muslims might be a better description than atheist though, they identify as Muslims but don't follow any of the rules. A bit like atheists who celebrate Christmas and get chocolate eggs for Easter.
For example, I know people who have broken their Ramadan fast with pork and alcohol. Maybe 'non-doctrinal' Muslims might be a better description than atheist though, they identify as Muslims but don't follow any of the rules. A bit like atheists who celebrate Christmas and get chocolate eggs for Easter.