The emails finally pulled me back

[Rex]

Muahahahah my master spam plan is working. Muahahahahaha



(I always wanted to make that voice. haha)

 

[Moni_Gail]

Nice to meet you. How did an atheist end up studying theology in a University?

I've always loved learning about religions. I didn't come to atheism via science, rather, I think it was more of a gentle slide via exposure to so many contrary theologies. I did concentrate my energies on Old Testament and Judaism though. My mother's family was Jewish and only 2 sisters made it out, as the rest were sent to Riga in Poland. Due to the antagonism they faced once they reached the US, they opted to hide their religion. I had some vague notion growing up that our family used to be Jewish. So, I guess over time it has become somewhat of an obsession of mine. I no longer have the ability to believe, but I do want to understand the culture that I would have been raised within were it not for the antisemitism they encountered when they arrived in the states.

 

[Jumi]

I've always loved learning about religions. I didn't come to atheism via science, rather, I think it was more of a gentle slide via exposure to so many contrary theologies.

I've also been interested in religions almost as long as I can remember but always had trouble believing in them. It doesn't seem that I'm built for accepting anything on faith alone. I'm currently trying to see if religious experience is possible for me.

I did concentrate my energies on Old Testament and Judaism though. My mother's family was Jewish and only 2 sisters made it out, as the rest were sent to Riga in Poland. Due to the antagonism they faced once they reached the US, they opted to hide their religion. I had some vague notion growing up that our family used to be Jewish. So, I guess over time it has become somewhat of an obsession of mine. I no longer have the ability to believe, but I do want to understand the culture that I would have been raised within were it not for the antisemitism they encountered when they arrived in the states.

That sadly sounds like a familiar story. A co-worker of mine once told me that he had just found out his ancestors might have been Jewish once but disguised themselves as Christian due to persecution and finally forgot their identity.

 

[Moni_Gail]

I've also been interested in religions almost as long as I can remember but always had trouble believing in them. It doesn't seem that I'm built for accepting anything on faith alone. I'm currently trying to see if religious experience is possible for me.

I wish you luck.

That sadly sounds like a familiar story. A co-worker of mine once told me that he had just found out his ancestors might have been Jewish once but disguised themselves as Christian due to persecution and finally forgot their identity.

Thankfully, they both lived long lives and I remember them both. It wasn't until one of them was on her deathbed that she told the family the story. They survived by working in sweat shops and overall, life was hell for them both. It was relatively easy for my mom to trace their movements, as well as find the documents when they got to New York. From there she was also able to find photos of other members of the family at one of the holocaust museums. I find it very disheartening that they both let go of a vital part of themselves to survive. It's not enough to lose everyone you know and love, flee your home, and end up in place where you are still hated and must deny who you are. Just before her death, she apologized to all of us for denying us our Jewish heritage. I suppose it is the memory of that which always pulls me back to learn more.

 

[Jumi]

Thankfully, they both lived long lives and I remember them both. It wasn't until one of them was on her deathbed that she told the family the story. They survived by working in sweat shops and overall, life was hell for them both. It was relatively easy for my mom to trace their movements, as well as find the documents when they got to New York. From there she was also able to find photos of other members of the family at one of the holocaust museums. I find it very disheartening that they both let go of a vital part of themselves to survive. It's not enough to lose everyone you know and love, flee your home, and end up in place where you are still hated and must deny who you are. Just before her death, she apologized to all of us for denying us our Jewish heritage. I suppose it is the memory of that which always pulls me back to learn more.

No one should be forced to be something they are not. I think it's a good idea to explore your heritage. It makes you think about things in larger perspectives about what is right and what is wrong. For my part I know at least one of my ancestors was part of forced conversions by the sword and it pains me to know about it.