Okay, I have to clear the air a little. I keep hearing people say they are ‘secular Jewish’. This irks me to no end. How can you say you are secular and Jewish at the same time? To me that’s like saying you’re almost pregnant! Believe me, either you are or you are not.
I have a hard time trying to understand why someone that has held the truth in their hands, that did not grow up in the pagan-filled world could possibly say “Hey, I want to go play in the mud for awhile.” It wasn’t until I came out of the mud pit (pagan filled religion, Babylon, etc.) that I finally began to feel good. Sadly, now more and more people are doing just the opposite.
So here’s your chance. If you disagree with me, sound-off. Or if you agree with me, sound-off. I’d love to know how you feel.
August 12, 2009 at 9:13 pm
When it comes to Rabbinical Judaism, either born or converted, you are a Jew for life. Judaism is a communal religion and does not totally base itself on observance. I personally feel that religious observance is very important to my Judaism, but it is not my place to judge someone else’s Judaism. So, with that said, I would never consider questioning rather someone is still a Jew if they decided to leave G-d behind. Then again, the only time that a person stops being a Jew if they convert to another religion, this is understandable.
Anyway, that is my take on your rant.
August 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Who am I to judge? There is only One who is the judge of us all.
August 13, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Thank you both for taking the time to reply
What I just can’t get my head around is how someone could say they are a secular (worldly, don’t want to be bothered with YHWH’s laws) and Yahudi (follower of YHWH) at the same time.
Unless, maybe if they’re trying to say that they love and follow YHWH but do not follow the customs and traditions often associated with being Jewish. That would make more sense to me.
I guess having come from the other side (worldly, pagan) I get upset when I see someone about to make the same mistakes I did in the past, but that’s another topic for later…
August 13, 2009 at 4:19 pm
You are welcome Lou.
I should clarify that I am not a Jew but I am on the road to conversion. With that said, your site seems very confusing. When I think of someone as Jewish, it is on the lines of Rabbinic Judaism. Unfortunately, when you speak of someone being Jewish it is unfamiliar to me. I just thought I would make you aware of that.
I think you should write about your life’s mistakes a little more, let us get to know you. I actually enjoy your blog. We might be worlds apart on theology but that should not stop the conversation. I look forward to more stuff.
Take Care
August 13, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Write about my mistakes, hmmmm
That sounds like a great challenge. One of the hardest things to do is to admit one’s mistakes but you’ve inspired me.
Also, thank you for the compliment about reading my blog. It’s good to know someone out there enjoys hearing me ramble, lol.
August 14, 2009 at 11:46 am
I think I’m with jewwishes on this. Also, I know a fair few ‘secular Jews’ and they are the loveliest people in the world – I would never dream of telling them that they are doing the wrong thing, when their lifelong aim is to repair the world, just not in an observant way. Everybody follows the path that feels best for them, and it may not be the same path they follow for their entire life. It really isn’t for me to judge.
August 15, 2009 at 2:26 pm
It seems to me the divide is in how you define “Jewish.” I define it as an ethnicity with a religion attached. You seem to be opposite. While I am not a practicing Jew, I am very definitely Jewish and rejoice when I do practice.
Now, if you mean Jews that convert to Christianity? That gets more if-y to me.
I also don’t like placing Judaism above other religions as you seem to be doing. I do love Judaism for many things but I don’t need to insult gentiles at the same time.