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I'm an atheist. I think Judaism is as factually baseless - and, frankly, absurd - as the other Abrahamic religions.
However, Jews are far less likely to support codifying their religious rules into law, thereby effectively trying to force me to obey the tenets of their religion, than Christians. Jews are far less likely to peddle creationist nonsense, or to insist on trying to force their faith into public institutions, or to run crying to the government because a gay person tried to patronize their business. So the observation that I take more issue with Christians than with Jews? Well, yes, that's true, and the reason is both simple and obvious.
The beliefs aren't the problem; the incessant attempts to foist them on society are.
it is a good guess. but why? why does it matter that Jewish sensibilities should be respected, but not Muslim, Christian, and Hindu sensibilities are fair game. Has Sam Harris and the self named 4 Horsemen ever criticized Judaism? Is it merely political?
Well...think about it. Typically, Jews don't toss people off buildings. They don't represent the majority of people in this country, and they don't worship 5000 different gods, or one of their own custom design.
I can't speak for Sam Harris, but if I had to guess, the reason they probably don't go after Judaism is because it wouldn't be profitable. It's easy to make a name for yourself when you attack the majority.
Well...think about it. Typically, Jews don't toss people off buildings. They don't represent the majority of people in this country, and they don't worship 5000 different gods, or one of their own custom design.
I can't speak for Sam Harris, but if I had to guess, the reason they probably don't go after Judaism is because it wouldn't be profitable. It's easy to make a name for yourself when you attack the majority.
If I am not mistaken atheist hammer the books of the Bible Jews consider the Torah pretty hard. Harris called Christianity version 2.0 of Judaism. He pointed out that if a Christian believes one particular sect of Christianity over another that implicitly means Christianity must be correct and since Christianity rests on Judaism then Judaism must be correct.
I like the treatment of Satan by Judaism. Calling Satan "The Great Accuser" working for God is much more helpful than just splitting off some evil supervillains.
I am guessing that it might be because practitioners of Judaism tend not to promote it or even much discuss in detail their beliefs and practices outside of their own circle.
That's a very good point.
The school where I was an administrator for 20 years had one of the Washington area's largest synagogues 2 doors up, so we had a somewhat larger than normal percentage of students who were Jewish. Never had a Jewish student or parent talk about their religion, with one exception -- when teachers abused the guidelines of what could be done in school on Jewish holy days of obligation. A couple of times the synagogue invited us (any staff members interested) up for a Q/A session. But that's all they did (aside from welcoming us and giving us a tour)...was answer any questions asked.
And outside of school I had several fairly close friends who were Jewish, and they were comfortable answering any questions I asked...but never offered anything beyond answering my questions.
And on Thanksgiving I was invited to my bosses house for a large Thanksgiving dinner. I was the only non-Jew out of over 20 people. During dinner one of the guests said, "Victor, I understand you're the only non-Jew here", which got some good chuckles. "Any questions you'd like to ask us?" I didn't want things to get too serious, so, since it was Thanksgiving I asked, "So what do you all do on Christmas?, which got some laughs. "Well, we all go out to a movie, and then we all go out to a Chinese restaurant", which got gales of laughter. And I said, "But really?" And the person said to the other roughly 18 or so people, "If you go out to a movie on Christmas, raise your hand". And almost everyone raised their hand. "If you go out to a Chinese restaurant, raise your hand", and most did. But that was all. No pushing of any sort. The most pleasant Thansgiving I think I ever had...except boy, was that food bland.
The school where I was an administrator for 20 years had one of the Washington area's largest synagogues 2 doors up, so we had a somewhat larger than normal percentage of students who were Jewish. Never had a Jewish student or parent talk about their religion, with one exception -- when teachers abused the guidelines of what could be done in school on Jewish holy days of obligation. A couple of times the synagogue invited us (any staff members interested) up for a Q/A session. But that's all they did (aside from welcoming us and giving us a tour)...was answer any questions asked.
And outside of school I had several fairly close friends who were Jewish, and they were comfortable answering any questions I asked...but never offered anything beyond answering my questions.
And on Thanksgiving I was invited to my bosses house for a large Thanksgiving dinner. I was the only non-Jew out of over 20 people. During dinner one of the guests said, "Victor, I understand you're the only non-Jew here", which got some good chuckles. "Any questions you'd like to ask us?" I didn't want things to get too serious, so, since it was Thanksgiving I asked, "So what do you all do on Christmas?, which got some laughs. "Well, we all go out to a movie, and then we all go out to a Chinese restaurant", which got gales of laughter. And I said, "But really?" And the person said to the other roughly 18 or so people, "If you go out to a movie on Christmas, raise your hand". And almost everyone raised their hand. "If you go out to a Chinese restaurant, raise your hand", and most did. But that was all. No pushing of any sort. The most pleasant Thansgiving I think I ever had...except boy, was that food bland.
I worked in NYC most of my life and lived in NJ all my life, as did many of my coworkers, so naturally we all knew a lot of Jewish people.
In the past 30 years or so, many people from India have moved to the NY metro area.
So I laughed one day when in our office kitchen one of my Jewish coworkers said to one of my Hindu coworkers, "You know, now that so many Indians have come here, the Chinese restaurants and movie theaters are getting crowded on Christmas! We have to leave the house earlier." Both laughed heartily, and so did I.
I'm an atheist. I think Judaism is as factually baseless - and, frankly, absurd - as the other Abrahamic religions.
However, Jews are far less likely to support codifying their religious rules into law, thereby effectively trying to force me to obey the tenets of their religion, than Christians. Jews are far less likely to peddle creationist nonsense, or to insist on trying to force their faith into public institutions, or to run crying to the government because a gay person tried to patronize their business. So the observation that I take more issue with Christians than with Jews? Well, yes, that's true, and the reason is both simple and obvious.
The beliefs aren't the problem; the incessant attempts to foist them on society are.
When we moved to MA from Ohio, i had very little knowledge about Judaism. I knew about the holocaust, and could never understand why Jews were persecuted all over Europe. I was quite young and new to the country. Growing up in India we did not even study in school about the Holocaust or the Nazis. I knew there were Jews living in India, as do people of several religions, such as Armenians etc.
When we moved into this town, the opening day of the public school fell on a Jewish Holiday. The Jewish people wanted it moved. It was moved. My neighbors on my street were livid. I had no clue what the fuss was about on either side, but I knew there is power and there is resentment. Scheduled public meetings are moved to accommodate for Jewish holidays. Jews are not a majority in Town. It’s history includes not allowing Jews to buy homes. There are areas of other cities, where jews are a bit of a majority, which are marked off, visibly, to accommodate Jewish orthodox practices on Saturdays.
What do you think of these in reference to your bolded statements?
I want to be clear I believe there is no harm in celebrating religious holidays. Divali is now celebrated in the White House, and it a political move. Swearing in is done over the Gita. All this because religion IS society in America. Jews are no exception from any other religion on “incessant foisting.” I don’t know where that idea of exceptionalism even comes from. Not in my perception.
Judaism does not proselytize. Neither do many other religions, such as Hinduism. Yet parents have banned yoga from public schools because it is “Hindu”.
I am guessing that it might be because practitioners of Judaism tend not to promote it or even much discuss in detail their beliefs and practices outside of their own circle.
Not in my experience. Not promote, but certainly do discuss. I don’t find it offensive, what is there to be offended about? At a wedding where the bride was jewish all the traditions were described, including stomping on the wine glass. My Jewish friends certainly promote Jewish professionals - lawyers, specialists, chiropractors.
On bird walk on a cemetary, we passed a memorial that had small stones placed on it. The man standing next to me explained how that was Jewish tradition. He also identified himself, unasked, as atheist and then asked me my religion.
I guess we all have our experiences.
Well...think about it. Typically, Jews don't toss people off buildings. They don't represent the majority of people in this country, and they don't worship 5000 different gods, or one of their own custom design.
I can't speak for Sam Harris, but if I had to guess, the reason they probably don't go after Judaism is because it wouldn't be profitable. It's easy to make a name for yourself when you attack the majority.
Most people dont toss people off buildings. They also dont invade countries for oil based on lies and topple their government and torture their people. So what?
Easy to make a name for yourself when you fan hatred of a minority.
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