Should my religion be based on my ancestors?

[NeilPye]

My ethnic backgrounds simplified are Germanic and Jewish.

I have looked into Humanistic Judaism and Asatruist Germanic Neopaganism.

From the Asatru Folk Assembly's FAQ:

Why is the religion of our ancestors the best one for us?

Because we are more like our ancestors than we are like anyone else. We inherited not only their general physical appearance, but also their predominant mental, emotional, and spiritual traits. We think and feel more like they did; our basic needs are most like theirs. The religion which best expressed their innermost nature - Asatru - is better suited to us than is some other creed which started in the Middle East among people who are essentially different from us. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are alien religions that do not truly speak to our souls.

If the Asatru's position is true, should I convert to Germanic Neopaganism? Judaism? Should my ethnic backgrounds determine my religious beliefs?

I'll admit, I really like humanistic Judaism, but I feel my real religious calling is with Eastern religions like Taoism or Zen. Should I follow my ancestors, picking humanistic Judaism or Asatru(both maybe?), or should my beliefs be my own choice?

 

[Thesavorofpan]

Dude convert to whatever you want, just because your ancestors practice it doesn't mean its the best one for you.

 

[Smoke]

If the Asatru's position is true, should I convert to Germanic Neopaganism? Judaism? Should my ethnic backgrounds determine my religious beliefs?

I'll admit, I really like humanistic Judaism, but I feel my real religious calling is with Eastern religions like Taoism or Zen. Should I follow my ancestors, picking humanistic Judaism or Asatru(both maybe?), or should my beliefs be my own choice?

Were all your ancestors either Germanic neopagans or Jews? Of course not.

Choosing a religion based on ethnic background is fine for people who consider their ethnic background one of the most significant things, if not the most significant thing, about them. For the rest of us, I don't think it's important.

Should you live where your ancestors lived? Dress as they dressed? Eat the same foods they ate? Read the same books (if any) that they read? Follow the same religion that they followed? Only if it pleases you to do so. Even people who are strongly guided by the decisions their ancestors made about life -- people like the Amish and the Hasidim, for example -- are being guided by particular ancestors, and not by other ancestors. In 1700, none of the ancestors of the Satmarer Rebbe were Hasidim.

Do what it pleases you to do and what seems right to you.

 

[Madhuri]

I'll admit, I really like humanistic Judaism, but I feel my real religious calling is with Eastern religions like Taoism or Zen. Should I follow my ancestors, picking humanistic Judaism or Asatru(both maybe?), or should my beliefs be my own choice?

Religion isn't just a lifestyle choice- its about following what you believe is truth. Otherwise it's nothing more than tradition or culture. If you care about truth then you'll take your time to try and find it no matter what other people believe.

 

[GalS]

Your believes are your own choice definately, what work best for you. For instance, I was born into an Orthodox Jewish family. I'm the first person in my family to convert to Christianity.

So pick waht you want, it's your choice.

 

[GabrielWithoutWings]

I once asked an Asatruar why, if they believed the Out of Africa Theory, they stopped at Scandinavia when looking back at their ancestors. Why not just go all the way back to Africa and worship their gods?

 

[Storm]

Were all your ancestors either Germanic neopagans or Jews? Of course not.

Choosing a religion based on ethnic background is fine for people who consider their ethnic background one of the most significant things, if not the most significant thing, about them. For the rest of us, I don't think it's important.

Should you live where your ancestors lived? Dress as they dressed? Eat the same foods they ate? Read the same books (if any) that they read? Follow the same religion that they followed? Only if it pleases you to do so. Even people who are strongly guided by the decisions their ancestors made about life -- people like the Amish and the Hasidim, for example -- are being guided by particular ancestors, and not by other ancestors. In 1700, none of the ancestors of the Satmarer Rebbe were Hasidim.

Do what it pleases you to do and what seems right to you.

What he said.

 

[it's_sam]

I would say you should represent whatever part of yourself needs representing or "building". If you feel you need to get more in touch with your roots you should do something along those lines. If you feel you want to be more in the mainstream of current events you should do something along those lines. You basicly need to look inside and see what it is in you that you feel would have a better home somewhere else. A good practice i do for this is write down all my goals, all my worries of current events and see wich ones have the most promise. You could really do just about anything if it's for the greater good

 

[Caladan]

My ethnic backgrounds simplified are Germanic and Jewish.

I have looked into Humanistic Judaism and Asatruist Germanic Neopaganism.

From the Asatru Folk Assembly's FAQ:



If the Asatru's position is true, should I convert to Germanic Neopaganism? Judaism? Should my ethnic backgrounds determine my religious beliefs?

I'll admit, I really like humanistic Judaism, but I feel my real religious calling is with Eastern religions like Taoism or Zen. Should I follow my ancestors, picking humanistic Judaism or Asatru(both maybe?), or should my beliefs be my own choice?

I think some ideal solutions are studying and experiencing the history and legacy of your ethnic linage, or applying a free form syncretism, where you do not feel obligated to follow the tradition of your ancestors, but instead understand their human challenges and understand what resonates with you in their legacy.
for example the Jewish history is very vibrant and diverse, I find that jackin' in as it were to the Jewish experience through out history is much more inspiring than simply adopt a specific Jewish tradition. understand the challenges of Jewish society, understand the exceptional individuals, the collective challenges, the cultural achievements and tragedies, beyond thinking that you are obligated out of fatalistic twist of existential reality to be religious, although I'm sure that is not the case with Jewish humanism. I find that understanding the tradition is sometimes more empowering to one's ethnic experience than following the tradition.

 

[jmvizanko]

Um, do you think what they believed is true? Why believe anything, regardless of who believes it, if you don't think its true.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Not at all, however ones faith is usually inherited along with your other traits and mores.

 

[Levite]

My ethnic backgrounds simplified are Germanic and Jewish.

I have looked into Humanistic Judaism and Asatruist Germanic Neopaganism.

From the Asatru Folk Assembly's FAQ:



If the Asatru's position is true, should I convert to Germanic Neopaganism? Judaism? Should my ethnic backgrounds determine my religious beliefs?

I'll admit, I really like humanistic Judaism, but I feel my real religious calling is with Eastern religions like Taoism or Zen. Should I follow my ancestors, picking humanistic Judaism or Asatru(both maybe?), or should my beliefs be my own choice?

Strictly speaking, if your mother was Jewish, you are Jewish, whatever you decide to do. That certainly doesn't mean anything in terms of what you choose to do with your spirituality, of course. As a traditional Jew, I would hope that you decide to practice Judaism, but if that's not something you connect to, you should do what brings you closer to God.

If your mother wasn't Jewish, then you're not obligated in any way to Judaism. You should follow your heart.

I should say, by the way, it is possible to be a practicing, traditional Jew and incorporate many ideas and practices of Buddhism and Taoism into your daily spiritual routine.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Strictly speaking, if your mother was Jewish, you are Jewish, whatever you decide to do. That certainly doesn't mean anything in terms of what you choose to do with your spirituality, of course. As a traditional Jew, I would hope that you decide to practice Judaism, but if that's not something you connect to, you should do what brings you closer to God.

If your mother wasn't Jewish, then you're not obligated in any way to Judaism. You should follow your heart.

I should say, by the way, it is possible to be a practicing, traditional Jew and incorporate many ideas and practices of Buddhism and Taoism into your daily spiritual routine.

You imply jewishness follows the female line.
If yor mothers mother was a practcing Jew does that make you jewish too.

 

[Revoltingest]

Don't listen to all these namby pamby multi-culturalists. You should be exactly whatever your parents are. What...you thought you had a choice?

 

[it's_sam]

HAHA revoltingest as much as i hate to admit it you are for the most part right. We can't escape our foundation in life no matter who we are, we can only accept it and grow from there. This never meant that your parents couldn't have been something more though In most cases atleast in mine they encourage you to be more then they were.

 

[Breathe]

Be what you want. Your background means squat to the path you follow. If you want to be an Ásatrú, then by all means be one. Same goes for Wicca, Mormonism, Sikhism, Christianity Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Deism or anything.

And if anyone has a problem with it: it's their problem, not yours.

 

[Caladan]

Be what you want. Your background means squat to the path you follow. If you want to be an Ásatrú, then by all means be one. Same goes for Wicca, Mormonism, Sikhism, Christianity Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Deism or anything.

And if anyone has a problem with it: it's their problem, not yours.

I dont think its that simple. a person's background places a great weight on their shoulders. a person has started somewhere, and the place they have started can have a long linage, sometimes it also goes as far into the genetic baggage. whatever the worldview the person chooses to adopt, this shadow will always follow. its better to understand the baggage than shrug it off, a person's psychology has been shaped by their roots and whether they choose to embrace it or to rebel against it, they better spend time understanding it and coming to terms with it than scarring themselves by denial.

 

[Breathe]

I understand what you mean and I can agree with what you say, although I don't consider myself to be rebelling against my parent's theological views or denying them personally. I do think that many do, though.

 

[it's_sam]

I don't think he thinks that you did this personaly Odion, but someone not in your position could find a battle they wont win if they try. It seem's to me you have accepted your past and found your future. When i said your parents could be more its what you are saying, that they can be anything as well but you do have that background with them as they do with you. Or rather you don't have to stop where they did or just because they did.

 

[Levite]

You imply jewishness follows the female line.
If yor mothers mother was a practcing Jew does that make you jewish too.

Yes. The tradition tells us that identity is matrilineal.