Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Jews in Alabama, Episode #28
We're back, after a two-week absence. We talk about our Valentine's Day with Vulcan, Roman god of the forge. We also discuss the Orthodox Union's new website for teens: Why Date Jewish? We've been watching lots of the Olympics, and rooting for the Israeli ice dancers. And, surprise surprise -- we find ourselves in agreement with a Baptist minister!! Plus, podcasting goes pay-for-play, and of course, a "Baby Update." All of this crammed into 38 minutes, 14 seconds!!
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3 comments:
Hey guys...
After listening to your last show, I kind of felt a little weird about your comments about intermarried couples. I'm Jewish and my wife is Christian. Neither of us is particuarly religious, I'd say we're more secular to spiritual. I think that Judaism for me at least - is more heritage based and less based in spirituality. You sounded just a little, tiny bit judgemental in your assessment of intermarried couples - just a little. I think couples need to explore their spirituality and make sure they are both on the same page.
I personally think that Unitarian Universalism is something intermarried and/or open minded people need to look into. It's a more spiritual education - and encompasses all religions. It is something I have been investigating and it may be something we turn to - not just for my daughter, but for ourselves. There is something to be learned from every religion in the world.
--*Rob
Rob--
Certainly, no offense was intended to you or your wife. But since you've listened to JIA?, you know that both Raya and I have strong opinions, and we're not shy about sharing them!!
Having said that, I will tell you that I know where you're coming from. I went through a very strong atheistic period in my life, and there are times even now when I consider myself agnostic. The question of whether or not God exists is unanswerable, and so I try not to dwell on it.
For both you and your wife, then, if you approach both Judaism and Christianity from a secular/mildly spiritual point of view, and it works for you, that's fantastic. But the Christians I've known -- and remember, I grew up Catholic -- define the central tenet of their Christianity as the belief that Jesus Christ was the son of God, the messiah.
THAT belief is what I think is incompatible with Judaism. Not that a religious Christian and a religious Jew can't be married -- because, in the right set of circumstances, they could. But when children come into the picture -- if you teach a child that Christ was the Messiah, I don't think you can realistically also be raising that child as any kind of Jew. Or vice versa.
While Judaism is certainly more to me than just "anti-Christianity" or "anti-Jesus," I don't think a belief in Jesus is compatible with any kind of Judaism. And I've never been exposed to a Christianity that omitted Jesus!!
Eric
Eric -
I know just what you mean. For my wife and I the "big two" Christian holidays - Easter and Christmas - are purely secular. Christmas - despite its actual name - is about giving of yourself to others - not just of giving presents. Whether giving to a charity or helping out at a local soup kitchen - it's more about helping and giving to others. Yes, we do have a tree (the origin of that tradition is Pagan). Easter is a celebration of spring for us (also derived from the Pagan traditions) - and again the secular side overrides any Christian side. For our celebrations of Jewish holidays - we again try to take away the lessons taught by them in a general sense, while still maintaining the Jewish-ness. Passover about the horrors of slavery, Hanukkah about overcoming adversity, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur about renewal and contemplation of your rights and wroings from the past year. While my daughter is still too young to get some of those lessons - we intend on bringing those up each year. That's kind of why I was investigating Universalism because they take from all religions, to give a spiritual background to allow a person to either eventually investigate further, or to continue down a path of their own choosing.
I wouldn't call myself an atheist, I term myself as "optimistically agnostic" - which is to say I'm pretty sure there's something else going on - but I don't think we have the brain power to understand it, so I can't really see trying to guess at it. That includes the concept of one deity.
I do think though that we're probably unusual for an intermarried couple. Most people don't explore the ramifications of having two religions in one home - and the mixed message it can send. You both have to be willing to practice both and participate in both. It can't be "mom's taking me to church and then Dad takes me to synagogue".
I agree with you on the messiah thing - and that just doesn't fly for us either. The concept of a messiah doesn't gel in my brain in any form.
Good topic, and great conversation. You guys have a very interesting show. Good luck with the baby too!
--*Rob
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