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Jewish perspective on other religions

I hope this is the right place for this, I wasn't sure what sub-forum to put it in, but, I'm hoping someone can help me out. What's the Jewish perspective on other religions?, like where would people (or beings) like the Buddha, the Hindu deities, Jesus, and all the other beings that other religions worship (or revere) fit in?.

Does G-d appear to people in different ways (I think I read something similar in 'Tree of Souls' by Howard Schwartz, which I'm really enjoying and liking)?, or is there another perspective?.

Thanks for any help.
 

Levite

Higher and Higher
There is no one single Jewish perspective on other religions. The tradition has produced a wide spectrum of views, ranging from warmly accepting to egregiously intolerant.

It is likely unsurprising that, historically, those views of non-Jews and their religions which are least tolerant generally have been produced by Jews who were experiencing oppression by non-Jews at the time. The most accepting and tolerant views tend to be modern, coming from Jews in places where Judaism is tolerated and Jews fare well in society.

That said, there are always exceptions. Some of the Rabbis of the Talmud, who certainly had no reason to feel warmly toward non-Jews, being themselves oppressed by the Romans, nonetheless differed from their Rabbinic colleagues who vituperated the non-Jew and instead taught that justice and righteousness could come from all quarters, not just from one's fellow Jews. And likewise, today, there are some among the Ultra-Orthodox who, despite living in America and enjoying unprecedented freedom and toleration, nonetheless dismiss non-Jews as soulless and animalistic, and their religious practices little better than demonolatrous excess.

Of course, much of that is fringe opinion, also. Within the main stream, the tendency historically has been to be cautiously accepting of non-Jews but unaccepting of their religious practices. The classical halakhists (legal scholars) usually more or less taught that Christians and Muslims, being monotheists, were merely in serious error about their religion, but there was no reason they could not be decent people, provided that they behaved well. Some taught that prolonged exposure to such error degraded the soul, though. And few had much tolerance for polytheists. Judaism has seldom had much tolerance for polytheism and the use of idols in worship. Some (but by no means all) of the Kabbalists had very intolerant opinions of non-Jews and their religions indeed, and these ideas got picked up by certain authors in the mussar (moralistic philosophy) movement, resulting in some rather unsavory teachings which persist in some Jewish communities even unto this day.

Today, what you will usually find is that nearly all non-Orthodox Jews and most Modern Orthodox Jews will be tolerant, if not accepting, of non-Jewish religions. There is a lot of effort made, especially in the non-Orthodox communities, to find pluralistic theology, and to see non-Jewish religion as ways in which God has chosen to relate to other peoples, potential other covenants with different traditions. Interfaith dialogue is embraced, and many try to find the beauty or insight into the ways that other traditions have experienced the divine and the Creation.

There is even some conscious embracing of syncretism in non-Orthodoxy, mostly from Buddhism and Taoism, which in their purest forms are not really religions so much as philosophies of life, but also from other sources, including such unlikely sources as Hinduism and Islam. This is especially true in the Jewish Renewal movement, but sometimes works its way into Reform or Conservative Judaism. Syncretic assimilation from Christianity is generally universally avoided in philosophy and theology, but is sometimes accepted in relation to liturgical styles, summer camp programs, rehabilitation programs, prayer service practices, and rabbinical preaching styles. This is especially true in the Reform movement, which has historically always been syncretic with Protestant practices.

Mainstream Orthodoxy is far less tolerant. In general (though there are exceptions), the prevailing spectrum of opinions in Orthodoxy range from the "accept the people, disdain the religion" view to "tolerate the people, abhor the religion" all the way to the "debased, soulless evil worshippers" view. Although this latter is mostly found in Ultra-Orthodox communities, which are fundamentalist in the extreme, and quite insular.
 

Zardoz

Wonderful Wizard
Premium Member
Very good posts indeed.

Just my $.02

I think G-d reaches out to each People in a way they can relate to. A faith can be right for one People, but not right for others. I do not think there is one faith that is acceptable to ALL peoples.

The Jewish faith is for a priestly people, and we know it's not for everyone. That is why we do not seek out converts, and discourage many who wish to convert, unless they feel a real calling. It's not easy to be a Jew, as history proves again and again.
 

Levite

Higher and Higher
Can you please elaborate on the priestly people please? I mean what are their characteristics?

If I understand what Zardoz meant correctly, he is referring to the notion of the Jews as a "nation of priests." What this has usually been understood to mean is twofold: one, that we, as a people, have voluntarily chosen to dedicate ourselves to the service of God to a degree over and above what He has asked of other nations. In other words, that the Covenant of Sinai binds the Jews to many responsibilities and obligations that are not incumbent upon non-Jews. And two, that it is the ideal duty of the Jewish people to conduct themselves as an exemplar of good behavior and dedication to sanctity.

I think most of us would readily agree that we're still working on that second part, and haven't quite gotten there yet, though we haven't done as poorly as some other nations....
 

Zardoz

Wonderful Wizard
Premium Member
Exactly. That's why there are laws that we are obligated to observe and the non-Jew is not. It's not that we are 'better' or 'holier'. Our obligations to be 'a nation of priests' is not just a service to G-d, but also a service for all people. I am a Priest for many, and I take that duty seriously. Not for ourselves alone...
 
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