Growing up in an irreligious household.

[Asher]

Your explanation simply doesn't make any sense. It boils down to "but that's just silly, so it's not religion". The only reason you think your own religion isn't silly is the reasons you have to cling onto your faith. Probably a way to rationalize life, a meaning to an otherwise pointless existance, and to know that somebody will always been watching out for you. Or something to that effect.

If religion is for nourishment of the mind and the soul, why do so many of them have such a problem with gay people?

Some religions may be for that, but not all. And ALL of them are equally silly for what they're based on. If you want nourishment for the mind and the soul, listen to Enya or something.

[lord of the mark]

the classic story in this regard, was Franz Rosenzwieg.

A young philosophy student in turn of the century Vienna, raised in an essentially irreligious Jewish household, he was persuaded by friends to convert to Christianity. He decided to do so the way the ancient christians had, by experiencing orthodox Judaism first (romantic antiquarianism or subconcious reluctance?) He went to a tiny, ultra-orthodox synagogue for Yom Kippur. The intensity of the worship experience convinced him to explore Judaism more thoroughly. NOT an idea, or an argument, but an experience. He went on to become arguably the greatest Jewish philiosopher of the 20th Century.

To me religious education is not so much teaching books, as it is pursuing such opportunities for such experiences. A particularly challenging task, if one is NOT willing to follow the fundies, or cut off from the noise of the modern world.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher
If you want nourishment for the mind and the soul, listen to Enya or something.

need spiritual nourishment, go buy a CD. Now who's been efficiently brain washed? Once we had the idols in the marketplace - now the marketplace IS the idol.

[lord of the mark]

I also think while Judaism may not be relevant to young sophie, this will give you insight into education and choice.

I believe it was William James who said that some religious choices were possible to a given person while some were not. So he could choose between Christianity and free thinking - but becoming a Sunni muslim is beyond his cultural world.

Those of us in religious minorities are aware of this - leave my daughter to the general culture and she may have a choice between Protestantism, and atheism. But given the nature of the culture, Judaism is likely to be off her radar - UNLESS we make it a special point to offer it to her. So you must think about the general culture you will be raising your daughter in, and the choices it presents, and if it will tend to exclude choices it is important to you that she have. And what kind of upbrining is required to make sure she has that choice.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher

If religion is for nourishment of the mind and the soul, why do so many of them have such a problem with gay people?

If political parties are for improving the state for all citizans, why do so many of them have such a problem with gay people? Some are different, but not all.

[Rogan Josh]

Asher: so what do you believe?

[KrazyHorse]

Four LOTM posts in a row?

Christ on crutches....

[Agathon]

Re: Re: Growing up in an irreligious household.

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


I was raised in a completely secular household, and look how good I turned out.

We were winning until you said that!!!

[Asher]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
If political parties are for improving the state for all citizans, why do so many of them have such a problem with gay people? Some are different, but not all.

Because they're religious! Seriously, all of the mainstream political parties that give the most **** to Gay people are the most religious ones.

Perfect example.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Rogan Josh
Asher: so what do you believe?

That Bill Gates is God, and we are all his disciples.

[Starchild]

Cult of Amun! Cult of Amun!

Our god's the fun god, our god's the sun god. Ra Ra Ra!

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher

Because they're religious! Seriously, all of the mainstream political parties that give the most **** to Gay people are the most religious ones.

Perfect example.

You have Jewish religious parties in Canada? Like what, the Bund? the Yiddish Volkspartei? The Labor Zionists?

[monolith94]

Asher, your comprehension of spirituality is infantile. Spiritual sustenance is all about the understanding that this community of humans, as a whole, is interrconnected, and that by reaching out, we are stronger.

My existence is not pointless - is yours? How do I justify my existence? I do not justify it by claiming that worshippping god gives it meaning - rather I relish in the fact that each passing second that I am alive I have the ability to form new experiences, new memories, gain pleasure simply from existing.

Very zen.

[Asher]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
You have Jewish religious parties in Canada? Like what, the Bund? the Yiddish Volkspartei? The Labor Zionists?

Erm...why Jewish?

The Canadian Alliance is by far the most religious (Christian) party in Canada, and they're gung-ho against gay marriage, and only recently even conceded to outlaw discrimination against gays.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Asher

Erm...why Jewish?

The Canadian Alliance is by far the most religious (Christian) party in Canada, and they're gung-ho against gay marriage, and only recently even conceded to outlaw discrimination against gays.

to point up yet again how you assume religious=Christian=fundamentalist.