Secular Israelis face many attitudinal barriers when it comes to the idea of studying anything Jewish. [See my previous article "Then and Now" for more information on this]. This population, generally speaking, has a profoundly negative opinion of religious Jews. And in Israel, religious Jews are seen as the official definers of Judaism. This makes the idea of studying anything Jewish extremely distasteful. The religious, on the other hand, see the lack of religious knowledge among secular people as synonymous with them lacking a value system. Their motivation for secular people learning more about Judaism is often kiruv [bringing the secular person closer to their version of Judaism] - a goal which leaves secular people feeling devalued, defensive and cynical. The knowledge level of secular Jews presents another barrier. They have a tremendous amount of cultural and folk knowledge, as well as knowledge of Hebrew, all of which are significant compared to most Jews who live abroad. However, their knowledge of text, the rationale behind the ritual, a sense of the deeper layers of Judaism, Jewish law, and an understanding of religious Judaism, is weak at best. Facing this ignorance and being willing to tackle it, particularly with a religious person, is a daunting challenge. Therefore, the willingness to consider Jewish study as an option means overcoming some major barriers. In some ways I believe all religions are going through similar situations. The new generation wants something more interesting, enthusiastic, and are tired of the older rituals. Tyler Andor wrote: > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
I believe that society has conditioned us that doing whatever we want or feels good is the acceptable way to live. In today's culture, there is no accountability for our actions. If we are caught in a compromising situation we can claim victim status. Look at the Professor Gates controversy in Cambridge, MA. Even President Obama believes that its a racial situation and not one of personal responsibility. Tyler Andor wrote: > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Kara Ryken ~ I agree too that today's society does think that it is acceptable to do whatever feels good and maybe are more accepting of situations and that maybe too much change is not good.
Michael Havlovic wrote: > I believe that society has conditioned us that doing whatever we want or feels good is the acceptable way to live. In today's culture, there is no accountability for our actions. If we are caught in a compromising situation we can claim victim status. Look at the Professor Gates controversy in Cambridge, MA. Even President Obama believes that its a racial situation and not one of personal responsibility. > Tyler Andor wrote: > > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
I think that each generation learns from the previous generation that it is acceptable to bend the rules Little and over time it gets to be to the point were people only upkeep the easy and fun traditions, the stricter rules tend to disappear and or get ignored. Tyler Andor wrote: > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
I agree with Michael R. People are just lazy. Of course more Jews today are secular instead of religious, it's easier. Like in America, polls say that 85% of Americans are Christians, but that's not the percentage of practicing Christians. They claim the beliefs but not the lifestyle. It's easier that way.
Tyler Andor wrote: > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Tyler Andor wrote: > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
I suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious today because of time constraints. I found this poem along time ago and as time goes on I see more and more people conforming to it.
No Time To Pray By K. J. Koshy
I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees. My Christian duty was now done My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said "Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down... But never found the time"
started by anonymous on 25 Jul 09
Tyler Andor wrote:
> Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Tyler Andor wrote:
> Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Michael Havlovic wrote:
> I believe that society has conditioned us that doing whatever we want or feels good is the acceptable way to live. In today's culture, there is no accountability for our actions. If we are caught in a compromising situation we can claim victim status. Look at the Professor Gates controversy in Cambridge, MA. Even President Obama believes that its a racial situation and not one of personal responsibility.
> Tyler Andor wrote:
> > Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Tyler Andor wrote:
> Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
Tyler Andor wrote:
> Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
> Why do you suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious?
I suppose so many Jews today are more secular than religious today because of time constraints. I found this poem along time ago and as time goes on I see more and more people conforming to it.
No Time To Pray
By K. J. Koshy
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"