Happy Atheist Forum

Religion => Religion => Topic started by: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM

Title: Judaism?
Post by: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
Hey everybody!

I notice you guys (and a lot of atheists) tend to dislike or at least ponder Christianity and to a lesser extent Islam.

What are your opinions on Judaism?

I hate to say it but I honestly know very little about Judaism. I know it's the religion in the Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures!), and that Jesus Christ is Jewish. They have some dietary laws, but not all Jews really believe the same thing.

Im just embarrassed because part of the school curriculum is comparative religions and of course tolerance of other people, the importance of not hating people just for what they believe.

We are currently studying the Holocaust and the kids in my class are reading a book called "number the stars"https://www.amazon.com/Number-Stars-Lois-Lowry/dp/0547577095

We also will be going on a field trip to a synagogue this Friday. It will be a learning experience for me as well as the kids, but I honestly would like a bit more background on Judaism.

I of course will not rely solely on you fine people for assistance in this, but I would definitely appreciate any insight you might have.

Thank you and many blessings!
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:18:52 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
...
I hate to say it but I honestly know very little about Judaism...

Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
Thank you and many blessings!
Just like you, Sister, I hate to say it, but I honestly know very little about the meaning of the word, "blessing!"
...and honestly I would like to keep it that way.

One more thing, Sister...How come you post and post but don't continue the conversations you have started with those who have responded?
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 25, 2017, 09:21:04 PM
Well, Sister, from my point of view the variety of theism matters not-a-lot. In one system that relies on a supernatural entity, or entities, suffers the same problems. There is no way to determine cause, either for the good things thst happen nor the bad. To the believer if good happens it must be the god's love that caused it: if evil occurs that must be entirely due to naughty people, directly or indirectly. So the god cannot lose, the sole victim of a disaster can thank the god for saving them and consider that the dead have bern taken into its tender care for ever.

Not a rational frame of reference, entirely subjective.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 25, 2017, 09:25:26 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:18:52 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
...
I hate to say it but I honestly know very little about Judaism...

Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
Thank you and many blessings!
Just like you, Sister, I hate to say it, but I honestly know very little about the meaning of the word, "blessing!"
...and honestly I would like to keep it that way.

One more thing, Sister...How come you post and post but don't continue the conversations you have started with those who have responded?

And, please pardon my scepticism, Sister, but since you joined us a certain member has been, er, missing. Perhaps he is on holiday or something and is being rather careful just how he uses the Internet connection at his location. After all, each "location" has a unique identity.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Quote from: Dave on September 25, 2017, 09:25:26 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:18:52 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
...
I hate to say it but I honestly know very little about Judaism...

Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
Thank you and many blessings!
Just like you, Sister, I hate to say it, but I honestly know very little about the meaning of the word, "blessing!"
...and honestly I would like to keep it that way.

One more thing, Sister...How come you post and post but don't continue the conversations you have started with those who have responded?

And, please pardon my scepticism, Sister, but since you joined us a certain member has been, er, missing. Perhaps he is on holiday or something and is being rather careful just how he uses the Internet connection at his location. After all, each "location" has a unique identity.

Dave, are suggesting that Father Bruno is in a convent with SisterAgatha?
:snicker:
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 25, 2017, 09:53:46 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 25, 2017, 08:43:08 PM
What are your opinions on Judaism?

It's just as weird as Christianity, Islam, and other intitutionised religions of the world.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 25, 2017, 10:37:58 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Dave, are suggesting that Father Bruno is in a convent with SisterAgatha?
:snicker:

:notsure: Hmm...

Agatha in Portuguese is Ágata which is very similar to a gata, which means the female cat.  :chin:

Maybe there is some cosmic conspiracy to make us believe that Father Bruno is somehow involved!  :worried:
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 10:51:53 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on September 25, 2017, 10:37:58 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Dave, are suggesting that Father Bruno is in a convent with SisterAgatha?
:snicker:

:notsure: Hmm...

Agatha in Portuguese is Ágata which is very similar to a gata, which means the female cat.  :chin:

Maybe there is some cosmic conspiracy to make us believe that Father Bruno is somehow involved!  :worried:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.perezhilton.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F07%2Ftituss-yelp.gif&hash=108a58f4b0e26421a42ff101a4d78ad526efbf55)
Sister a gata...Yes.
Everyone knows how much The Father loves gatos y gatas.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 01:06:38 AM
Do you have any specific questions, SisterAgatha? Despite the fact that for a time in my youth I was known as 'the token Jew' I'll admit that I have much more acquaintance with Jewish people than I do with Judaism. Those that I've known have treated their religion as an irrelevance or at best an excuse to throw a dinner party (Seder). I'm familiar with the Old Testament though, and can certainly see why thoughtful Jews would be willing to toss that aside. As with any other regressive form of religion, fundamentalist Judaism is notable for its repugnant notions. A mild example: "Rabbi Bans Females From Riding Bikes Because It's 'Provocative'" | patheos (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/06/rabbi-bans-females-from-riding-bikes-because-its-provocative/)

QuoteAn ultra-orthodox Jewish rabbi of the Jerusalem neighborhood of Nahloat has banned girls age five and above from riding bicycles in some areas of Israel, claiming the activity is "immodest" and "provocative."
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:07:38 AM
^^^
This makes me angry.  :grrr:
If I lived there, I probably would've been stoned by now.   :notsure:
~And I mean the bad kind of stoned--not the good kind.  :smokin cool:
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 04:07:55 AM
Quote from: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 01:06:38 AM
Do you have any specific questions, SisterAgatha? Despite the fact that for a time in my youth I was known as 'the token Jew' I'll admit that I have much more acquaintance with Jewish people than I do with Judaism. Those that I've known have treated their religion as an irrelevance or at best an excuse to throw a dinner party (Seder). I'm familiar with the Old Testament though, and can certainly see why thoughtful Jews would be willing to toss that aside. As with any other regressive form of religion, fundamentalist Judaism is notable for its repugnant notions. A mild example: "Rabbi Bans Females From Riding Bikes Because It's 'Provocative'" | patheos (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/06/rabbi-bans-females-from-riding-bikes-because-its-provocative/)

QuoteAn ultra-orthodox Jewish rabbi of the Jerusalem neighborhood of Nahloat has banned girls age five and above from riding bicycles in some areas of Israel, claiming the activity is "immodest" and "provocative."

No specific questions no. This isn't really a serious fact-finding mission on Judaism as much as just a "what do you think?" sort of question.

I can see  Judaism is really sort of a mixed bag.

Reform Jews appear to be a bit like the Jewish equivalent of liberal episcopalian or liberal methodist. They are Jewish but feel their religion is able to be adapted.

Conservative and Orthodox Jews seem quite similar to Catholics actually in terms of their liturgy and practices. Content aside, the style and form of thinking that go with Judaism make me think Catholicism has more in common with it then we do with Protestnaitsm (aside from Jesus of course.)

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur could easily pass as Catholic feast days, or days of fasting. The mourners Kaddish is really sort of a jewish version of Catholic prayers for the dead. Spend some time in a  traditional synagogue. It honestly looks like a hebrew version of a luxurious Catholic Church.

I honestly have great respect for devout Jews, and feel they should be supported but also at least told about the Catholic Church
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Tank on September 26, 2017, 06:31:00 AM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 04:07:55 AM
...

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur could easily pass as Catholic feast days, or days of fasting. The mourners Kaddish is really sort of a jewish version of Catholic prayers for the dead. Spend some time in a  traditional synagogue. It honestly looks like a hebrew version of a luxurious Catholic Church.

I honestly have great respect for devout Jews, and feel they should be supported but also at least told about the Catholic Church
Given that Catholicism came after Judaism Catholic feast days could well pass for their predecessor Jewish celebrations. 
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 06:52:40 AM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 04:07:55 AMI honestly have great respect for devout Jews, and feel they should be supported but also at least told about the Catholic Church.

:doh: The Jews have the better part of two millennia's worth acquaintance with the Catholic church, SisterAgatha. As those years rolled by they were intermittently getting the crap kicked out of them, and this was incited and encouraged by the Catholic church.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 02:20:34 PM
^ Oh for goodness sake that is not true!

Some bad people attacked Jews back then but that doesn't mean they are doing what Jesus wanted them to.

It does make me sad how our leaders and laypeople have treated Jews over the years.

I really hope that never happens again.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: No one on September 26, 2017, 02:37:54 PM
Why does anyone need to be told about the Catholic Church? Remember, religion is like a dick. It's fine if you have one, it's fine if you're proud of it. Just don't shove it down my throat.

Thank you very much. Have a nice day.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 26, 2017, 03:05:39 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 02:20:34 PM
^ Oh for goodness sake that is not true!

Some bad people attacked Jews back then but that doesn't mean they are doing what Jesus wanted them to.

It does make me sad how our leaders and laypeople have treated Jews over the years.

I really hope that never happens again.

Just like the Islamists of today I bet they claimed they were killing the Jews in the "Lord's Name".  And since you would claim that Big G and JC are the same then your "saviour" is ewyally to blame. Of course, they were really trying to get rid of the debts they owed and the unwanted competition, oh, and probably to pay back for the Jews killing that nice Jewish chap all those centuries ago. Oh, what was his name?

If it happens again those Jews now have nuclear weapons.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM
^ it is currently happening to the Palestinians thank you very much..

No God and JC were not OK with it, but they stood by and let it happen anyway.

Why they did so is anybody's guess..
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 26, 2017, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM
^ it is currently happening to the Palestinians thank you very much..

No God and JC were not OK with it, but they stood by and let it happen anyway.

Why they did so is anybody's guess..

It goes both ways there, both sides are as "bad" as the other. And their religiosity and nationalism is at the root of it and has been throughout history.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM

Why they did so is anybody's guess..
:lol:
I think it's funny how sometimes "you people" say, "the bible has all the answers," other times, "god works in mysterious ways," "you people" claim to even talk to god and he literally answers you. Why don't you ask him right now, let's see what he says...

...I'll wait...Go ahead...
(https://media.tenor.com/images/cc6658b83d611b906386f779cf37ab0c/tenor.gif)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Davin on September 26, 2017, 04:42:48 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM

Why they did so is anybody's guess..
:lol:
I think it's funny how sometimes "you people" say, "the bible has all the answers," other times, "god works in mysterious ways," "you people" claim to even talk to god and he literally answers you. Why don't you ask him right now, let's see what he says...

...I'll wait...Go ahead...
(https://media.tenor.com/images/cc6658b83d611b906386f779cf37ab0c/tenor.gif)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.copypress.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2F1.10.17.png&hash=5dc79fba9bf8abba87b7afae23e2c809601008a8)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:47:01 PM
 :grin:

(https://media.giphy.com/media/UJR3QgkMnm7tu/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 05:17:09 PM
First, a little pointer on forum function for SisterAgatha. In responding to a post on a site like this the best practice is to quote the post to which you are responding. That way there is no confusion regarding who you're replying to, particularly if there have been posts from other members that follow the post you're answering. It's very easy to do. In the top right of each post you'll see a link that will allow you to quote the post in question with one click.

(https://i.imgur.com/ysnNunu.png)

After you click the "Quote" button, you'll be at a "Post Reply" page with the post already quoted. That is, you'll see that it's enclosed in quote tags: [quote author=Recusant link=topic=. . .]What Recusant said.[/quote]

Just click below the last quote tag, write your response and post it. If the post seems too long (like this one, for instance  ;)) feel free to remove what you consider extraneous. As long as the part you're answering is within the quote tags, your responding post will have context that helps readers understand who you're talking to, and what you're talking about.

ETA: I see now that you've used the quote function elsewhere. Ah well, I hope you take the above in the spirit in which it was intended i.e. not condescending.





Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 02:20:34 PM
Quote from: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 06:52:40 AM:doh: The Jews have the better part of two millennia's worth acquaintance with the Catholic church, SisterAgatha. As those years rolled by they were intermittently getting the crap kicked out of them, and this was incited and encouraged by the Catholic church.
^ Oh for goodness sake that is not true!

Some bad people attacked Jews back then but that doesn't mean they are doing what Jesus wanted them to.

I didn't say that "Jesus" incited and encouraged the persecution of Jews, SisterAgatha. I said the Catholic church did. Whether you want to acknowledge this or not, it's a historical fact. I can give you links to several sources that describe how the Catholic church preached against the Jews, but most of them are Jewish. Below is a quote from an article written by a Catholic priest (https://www.ushmm.org/research/the-center-for-advanced-holocaust-studies/programs-ethics-religion-the-holocaust/articles-and-resources/christian-persecution-of-jews-over-the-centuries/christian-persecution-of-jews-over-the-centuries):

QuoteThe theological anti-Judaism of the Church fathers, repeated endlessly in medieval and Renaissance-Reformation preaching, was the far greater culprit. It was the continuing rationale for the indefensible Christian conduct of the Middle Ages onward that was xenophobic and angry at Jewish resistance to absorption into the cultural mainstream. But because the Church's preaching and its catechizing had long shaped the popular mind, a new phenomenon was able to come to birth: modern anti-Semitism.

Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 02:20:34 PMIt does make me sad how our leaders and laypeople have treated Jews over the years.

I really hope that never happens again.

On this we can agree.  :blue smiley:
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
Quote from: Davin on September 26, 2017, 04:42:48 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM

Why they did so is anybody's guess..
:lol:
I think it's funny how sometimes "you people" say, "the bible has all the answers," other times, "god works in mysterious ways," "you people" claim to even talk to god and he literally answers you. Why don't you ask him right now, let's see what he says...

...I'll wait...Go ahead...
(https://media.tenor.com/images/cc6658b83d611b906386f779cf37ab0c/tenor.gif)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.copypress.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2F1.10.17.png&hash=5dc79fba9bf8abba87b7afae23e2c809601008a8)

I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 26, 2017, 05:45:41 PM
 :picard facepalm:
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 05:49:17 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
Quote from: Davin on September 26, 2017, 04:42:48 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 04:15:58 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 03:10:31 PM

Why they did so is anybody's guess..
:lol:
I think it's funny how sometimes "you people" say, "the bible has all the answers," other times, "god works in mysterious ways," "you people" claim to even talk to god and he literally answers you. Why don't you ask him right now, let's see what he says...

...I'll wait...Go ahead...
(https://media.tenor.com/images/cc6658b83d611b906386f779cf37ab0c/tenor.gif)
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.copypress.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2F1.10.17.png&hash=5dc79fba9bf8abba87b7afae23e2c809601008a8)

I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)
Sister, A gata...  :smileshake:
Can you get that on tape? ...and post it. Please.  ;D

I don't communicate with invisible beings via...what's the word... :chin: magic smoke signals? Is that the correct word?

I am sassy and snarky, maybe he made me that way.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/l41Yvi3HLNh8Pch8Y/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: No one on September 26, 2017, 05:52:51 PM
He? Him? Why does this almighty creator of the universe have a tallywhacker?
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 06:09:23 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)

Jesus...Learn about Him?

What I know about Jesus is that Mary Magdalene supported him financially, plus all those 12 weed smoking freeloaders that were always hanging out at her place.

Yep, the donkey he's riding on, she bought it.
The sandals he's wearing, she bought them.
The weed they're smoking, she bought it.
The fish he "multiplied" she caught it.
The bread he "multiplied" she baked it.
Is this accurate?

Also, I'm sure she's wondering why the fuck you guys didn't include The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene in the bible after all she did for him!  >:(
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Davin on September 26, 2017, 06:15:33 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)
That's weird, when I talked to god, it said:

Quote from: god
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Dave on September 26, 2017, 06:32:03 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 06:09:23 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)

Jesus...Learn about Him?

What I know about Jesus is that Mary Magdalene supported him financially, plus all those 12 weed smoking freeloaders that were always hanging out at her place.

Yep, the donkey he's riding on, she bought it.
The sandals he's wearing, she bought them.
The weed they're smoking, she bought it.
The fish he "multiplied" she caught it.
The bread he "multiplied" she baked it.
Is this accurate?

Also, I'm sure she's wondering why the fuck you guys didn't include The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene in the bible after all she did for him!  >:(

Some girl, that Mary!
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 06:43:18 PM
Quote from: Dave on September 26, 2017, 06:32:03 PM
Some girl, that Mary!
Yes.  :grin:
I guess she was practically the leader of the gang.  :shrug:
The only "real" one behind all that "magic."  ::)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: Magdalena on September 26, 2017, 06:45:27 PM
Quote from: Davin on September 26, 2017, 06:15:33 PM
Quote from: SisterAgatha on September 26, 2017, 05:36:39 PM
I just did. He told me you should be a little less sassy and snarky and little more about to at least learning about Him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Just say a little prayer to him... ;)
That's weird, when I talked to god, it said:

Quote from: god

(https://imgur.com/GLifHgt.jpg)
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 26, 2017, 10:50:29 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 10:51:53 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on September 25, 2017, 10:37:58 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 25, 2017, 09:45:57 PM
Dave, are suggesting that Father Bruno is in a convent with SisterAgatha?
:snicker:

:notsure: Hmm...

Agatha in Portuguese is Ágata which is very similar to a gata, which means the female cat.  :chin:

Maybe there is some cosmic conspiracy to make us believe that Father Bruno is somehow involved!  :worried:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.perezhilton.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F07%2Ftituss-yelp.gif&hash=108a58f4b0e26421a42ff101a4d78ad526efbf55)
Sister a gata...Yes.
Everyone knows how much The Father loves gatos y gatas.

Sista gata.
Title: Re: Judaism?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 26, 2017, 10:57:10 PM
Quote from: Recusant on September 26, 2017, 01:06:38 AM
Do you have any specific questions, SisterAgatha? Despite the fact that for a time in my youth I was known as 'the token Jew' I'll admit that I have much more acquaintance with Jewish people than I do with Judaism. Those that I've known have treated their religion as an irrelevance or at best an excuse to throw a dinner party (Seder). I'm familiar with the Old Testament though, and can certainly see why thoughtful Jews would be willing to toss that aside. As with any other regressive form of religion, fundamentalist Judaism is notable for its repugnant notions. A mild example: "Rabbi Bans Females From Riding Bikes Because It's 'Provocative'" | patheos (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/06/rabbi-bans-females-from-riding-bikes-because-its-provocative/)

QuoteAn ultra-orthodox Jewish rabbi of the Jerusalem neighborhood of Nahloat has banned girls age five and above from riding bicycles in some areas of Israel, claiming the activity is "immodest" and "provocative."


Age five and above?! What is it with religious figures and institutions and finding underage girls (and boys) "provocative"?

cough Catholic cough cough church cough scandals! Wheeze Pedophile coverups!