glass@houxf.UUCP (K.GLASS) (08/07/84)
I have been told that I have a "problem" and I was wondering if anybody out there has the same "problem". All my religious experiences (education and observation) have led me to believe it is good and proper to question when one doesn't understand or believe. Well, I don't believe in God. Judging from what I've heard, read and seen, I can come to no other conclusion. Now, with this in mind (and no, that isn't my "problem"), many of my friends tell me that I can't really be Jewish, since being Jewish rests heavily on the belief of God. My ties to the religion stem completely from culture and heritage. My father was born in what was to become Nazi Germany and his life was greatly affected by his religion. His experiences made me appreciate my culutre so much more. After all, I would not be here now if it weren't for his religion. After explaining this (my feelings about my heritage and my culture) to my friends (both jews and non-jews), I find that very few of them think I can be truly Jewish. I consider myself Jewish. That is my "problem". I was wondering if anybody out there is in the same boat as I am or if anybody thinks my boat has only one oar in the water. Ken Glass ....ihnp4!houxf!glass
hrs@houxb.UUCP (H.SILBIGER) (08/07/84)
Can one be Jewish and not believe in God? At least one rabbi has told me that one can, as long as one is truly questioning. Those who are Jewish by heritage, like me, can be Jewish without a bleif in God. It would probably difficult to convert to Judaism without a belief in God, however. Herman Silbiger