Jewish Atheism

[Tellurian]

Apparently some observant Jews follow the Jewish traditions but do not feel the need for any god. The following article indicates the percentage of Jews who are Atheists is quite high in the USA. I find it interesting that many non-Jews are accepting the existence of the Jewish god while many Jews no longer accept the existence of the Jewish god.

Atheist Jews: Judaism Without God

[Jayhawker Soule]

When asked "Do you believe in God?"

• The theist responds: "Yes."
• The atheist responds: "No."

But I rather prefer the response/attitude that I associate with Franz Rosenzweig ...

• "Not yet."

[The Sum of Awe]

Christian atheism, Jewish atheism... what's next? Muslim atheism?

[idav]

Originally Posted by The Sum of Awe

Muslim atheism?

I'm gonna go for something like atheistic polytheist.

[JacobEzra]

So some Jews go to synagogue only on high holy days. No different then Catholics and other Christians who go to church on certain days. As for Catholics, there are some who go only for Christmas mass. And mass attendance is not like it used to be. When I go to mass, I can count all the people who look around my age (18-25) on one hand.

Its because of the time people are becoming not so orthodox

[Rakhel]

Never heard of Humanistic Judaism?

Society for Humanistic Judaism - Home

[Levite]

I don't know if there are really all that many atheist Jews-- especially those who profess their identity as such-- but there are certainly some.

I have to say, I don't get it: it seems like a singularly ill-conceived philosophical venture, to me. But, whatever...I suppose it's better than apostasy.

I've met a few professed atheist Jews. Most of them had abysmal Jewish education: they were secular atheists who had married Jewish to please their grandmothers and attended the occasional seder or Shabbat meal at a relative's house, mostly out of abiding love for mama's chicken soup or bubbe's special kugel or some such. The couple I met who were well-educated, fluent in Hebrew, and had good exposure to both traditional and heterodox forms of Judaism were Israelis. They even kept some degree of kashrut, and went to synagogue on occasion, and observed some other commandments because they viewed those things as hallmarks of Jewish cultural identity. They are the only ones I've ever met that actually seem to make anything of the usually-atheist "culturally Jewish" label.

I still don't really approve of Jews being atheists, nor do I understand it, but I am willing to respect it as long as it is done with education and background, and some respect for the tradition is shown.

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by Levite

I have to say, I don't get it: it seems like a singularly ill-conceived philosophical venture, to me. But, whatever...I suppose it's better than apostasy.

Many in Israel see a Jewish identity drawn in different lines than religious or traditional ones. the Jewish people are historical people, a people who took part in collective political and social endeavours on a national level. Judaism has been the religious dimension of a Jewish nation or culture, perhaps in the same way that Shintoism has been for the Japanese nation.
in this regard, as Israelis we base our identity on aspects which are distinct to our experience. such as understanding modern Jewish history, participating in military service, etc. in this regard, in modern times Jewish identity has transformed from Torah studying to social activities.

I've met a few professed atheist Jews. Most of them had abysmal Jewish education: they were secular atheists who had married Jewish to please their grandmothers and attended the occasional seder or Shabbat meal at a relative's house, mostly out of abiding love for mama's chicken soup or bubbe's special kugel or some such. The couple I met who were well-educated, fluent in Hebrew, and had good exposure to both traditional and heterodox forms of Judaism were Israelis. They even kept some degree of kashrut, and went to synagogue on occasion, and observed some other commandments because they viewed those things as hallmarks of Jewish cultural identity. They are the only ones I've ever met that actually seem to make anything of the usually-atheist "culturally Jewish" label.

The Israeli experience forces you to hold some sort of Jewish identity, even if you are critical of it. in this regard secular Israelis who criticise the religious establishment in Israel, will show a coherent knowledge of Jewish teachings. sometime they would even display how the rabbinate in Israel distorts what are otherwise humane Jewish teachings.

I still don't really approve of Jews being atheists, nor do I understand it, but I am willing to respect it as long as it is done with education and background, and some respect for the tradition is shown.

I think it is on the same level that if I was born in India, I would not practice Hinduism, or if I was born in Sweden, like many other Swedes I would not practice Christianity.
I have a cultural interest in 'Jewishness', and I think that this is one of the greatest advantages Jewish society has in this regard that it goes beyond what many people in Europe experience today, it seems that they have a disconnect from historical Christianity in all its brands. while many secular Jews have an affinity to the Hebrew scriptures, to various Jewish teachings, customs, or philosophy.
I think that the success as I understand it of many American Jews to preserve a healthy Jewish identity has been in the way that through modern history they have developed a successful liberal experience, they are Jewish in faith and culture, but they have a solid social structure, they probably have a strong sense of community, and I think that unlike many Israelis who are frustrated by the way that the religious establishments have a hand in domestic politics, their experience has probably been largely positive and supportive.

[arcanum]

Originally Posted by Caladan

Many in Israel see a Jewish identity drawn in different lines than religious or traditional ones. the Jewish people are historical people, a people who took part in collective political and social endeavours on a national level. Judaism has been the religious dimension of a Jewish nation or culture, perhaps in the same way that Shintoism has been for the Japanese nation.
in this regard, as Israelis we base our identity on aspects which are distinct to our experience. such as understanding modern Jewish history, participating in military service, etc. in this regard, in modern times Jewish identity has transformed from Torah studying to social activities.

The Israeli experience forces you to hold some sort of Jewish identity, even if you are critical of it. in this regard secular Israelis who criticise the religious establishment in Israel, will show a coherent knowledge of Jewish teachings. sometime they would even display how the rabbinate in Israel distorts what are otherwise humane Jewish teachings.


I think it is on the same level that if I was born in India, I would not practice Hinduism, or if I was born in Sweden, like many other Swedes I would not practice Christianity.
I have a cultural interest in 'Jewishness', and I think that this is one of the greatest advantages Jewish society has in this regard that it goes beyond what many people in Europe experience today, it seems that they have a disconnect from historical Christianity in all its brands. while many secular Jews have an affinity to the Hebrew scriptures, to various Jewish teachings, customs, or philosophy.
I think that the success as I understand it of many American Jews to preserve a healthy Jewish identity has been in the way that through modern history they have developed a successful liberal experience, they are Jewish in faith and culture, but they have a solid social structure, they probably have a strong sense of community, and I think that unlike many Israelis who are frustrated by the way that the religious establishments have a hand in domestic politics, their experience has probably been largely positive and supportive.

If I may, as a non Jew, I would say the cultural identity of the Jew is stronger than the religious one. I say this from my personal experience with many jewish friends and acquaintances.

[Revoltingest]

it occurs to me that I can't think of a single Jew I personally know who is not an atheist.
Weird, eh?