I recently read where about half of all self proclaimed Jews in the US are either atheistic or agnostic. Why?
I would love to see where you got that figure...... As for why, I'd say it probably has a lot to do with the fact that being Jewish is more that just a religion; an atheist who is ethnically Jewish can still call himself a Jew and stay attached to the Jewish people. And agnosticism isn't necessarily contrary to being a Jew. Judaism places more emphasis on right action than most belief systems, and a Jew can observe the mitzvot even if he isn't sure God exists.
It is from a book called, "American Grace" that did some research showing that about half of Jews in America doubt that God exists as where other groups average about 10-15%. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/atheist-jews-judaism-without-god_n_978418.html
In my opinion in talking to many Jews, being Jewish is both a celebration of a common heritage, a religion, and (for some) an ethnicity. There is quite a bit of diversity in what it means to be Jewish, and so not all will agree. Nothing wrong with that, but it might explain what you found.
I'll have to find that book. I'd really like to see their methodology; I think they're probably being liberal with their numbers. But there's a good quote from the article: "My rabbi said, 'You know Maxim, God doesn't care whether you believe in him or not. All that he cares is that you do the right thing.' Our action in the world is much more important." That article does a good job of answering your question.
I tend to think its true. Judaism without Jesus Christ at the head is hard to follow and is twisted in many different directions, and versions and interpetations..... Its just an act of God that Jews still exist as a nation and people. I don't think it has anything to do with religious cohesiveness.
I find that 50% atheist of any group is off the charts, especially when atheists account for such a small portion of society. To then find it in a "religion" is even more baffling.
CKW, right even though it was your God that gave the Jews the laws they now follow. Are you saying that Yahweh purposefully gave the Jews difficult laws to follow?
If I may, I think what he is saying is that if Christ was really God in the flesh that the Jews rejected, then atheism is only a natural evolution.
But that doesn't follow at all. I'm not sure whether I believe in God or not, but if there is one I'm quite comfortable with it being the non-Jewish God. I'm not a staunch atheist, but I'm also not a Christian. Besides, the Jews, from the beginning, had their God who took care of them. They simply don't believe Jesus is the Messiah which is quite possible to hold while still believing in the Jewish God.
Agnostic is fine. Even being agnostic, one can still find reason to follow the mitzvot. But as Tarheeler mentioned, belief isn't as important as action. I'd just say, strive to be a real mensch and your good. No matter your dogma or beliefs.
Belief is not as important as action? Really? So if you do not believe that your car will start in the morning, do you try to start it up and drive away? If you do not believe that there is a good and just God to answer to some day, will you donate your time and energy to helping the poor? Make no mistake, those that help the poor the most are those who practice a faith of some kind. Although there are atheists who do this as well, the vast majority are motivated by practicing their faith. As the book of James correctly points out, faith without works is dead.
LOL! A car is one thing, a God is another. Don't be silly. Your example was horrible. And it shouldn't take a God and a reward to do good things for other people. That is just cold and seriously selfish of you. If you can't find any other reason to give a helping hand to someone who needs it, then shame on you. I don't care what James thinks. You don't need a faith in a God to be good to people. You just need compassion and love.
You just need love? Did Christ not say that to love God and your neighbor was the completion of the law? You misunderstand me. I don't believe in a point based salvation. In fact, Paul once wrote in 1 Corinthians 13 that if you gave all that you have to the poor but did not have love, you are nothing.
Right, but your God doesn't, by your own definition, truly love you. Just look at First Corinthians 13 Your God is a jealous God, keeps a record of wrongs of all people, and seeks for everyone to glorify Him. This is, in fact, the ultimate goal of your existence according to modern Christianity, to glorify God.
So this has turned people 'atheist', or what is your point? Any info on how many holocaust surbivors became atheists?
Not on me, but from reading about it in the past atheism amongst Jews increased during the holocaust.
I think it may have to do with Jews being more educated. Education is positively correlated with atheism. But yeah, 50 % sounds like a lot.
Not quite. There are four major streams of modern Judaism, and the primary division come about because of their use (or non-use) of halakha and how it is applied in life. And the only place I could see an atheist or agnostic having a really hard time fitting in is in the ultra-orthodox.
Yep. I suspect that they found a slightly higher-than-average number of atheists and a higher number of agnostics but chose to combine them because it implies a different situation. And the questions that asked to determine it, and how they then categorized the answers, could have had a huge impact on the results.
There are different sects---but as long as the Bible is the Guide and the Trinity is the head, even these sects are cohesive with the same foundation. The Baptists , Amish, Charismatics, Catholics, Pentecostals share the same basic tenants of the faith. The thing about the Jewish faiths.....is that they are discombobulated and differ in basic foundations because the faith is a mix of man and God. And without the acknowledgement of Christ as our Savior and His sacrifice......I can not see how the Jewish people can ignore the covenant with God as presented in the Old Testament. They must pick and choose what they wish to follow----which would be a diversion from God. Leading to more man-made faith....or lack of faith.
It's not rewarding to do good things for other people ? Is that selfish ? Tell me, what is the "other reason."
Christians have tortured and murdered each other for differences in faith - doesn't look to me like it's all sharing and loving... But I haven't heard of any wars Jews have led against each other.
