The Cultural Value of Religion
Offline So in a class I took that had us read the bible, I was surprised to discover that a lot of the students that self identified as being jewish still actively participated in the Jewish community despite having lost all faith in God. By participating in the jewish community i mean regularly going to temple, reciting prayers and the whole nine yards. Apparently there is a concept of "once a jew always a jew". I haven't really separated myself from christianity because my family still practices but I figure that once i'm on my own i'm going to leave all vestiges of religion behind. I'm curious to know if any deconverted atheists here still find value in participating religious culture? why or why not? Does anyone have any other opinions on religious culture like artwork, rituals etc that they would like to share?
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I've heard of cultural catholics as well.
Personally, I don't have any fondness for my former religious community, but fundamentalist protestantism really isn't something you can stomach after you leave it.
Everything makes more sense now that I've stopped believing.
I think Judaism is an exception there, as long as they're 'Reform', because they really don't seem to care if you believe in YHWH or not.
They seem to know how to throw good social events, and I've never known them to be preachy (if they were, I wouldn't be able to stomach it).
As a non-Jewish atheist, I've been readily accepted into events.
I've been a part of many communities, though; it's doesn't really matter what they've come together for.
I believe there's value to community- not to religion.
Some of the Jewish stuff I've read say that it is more about culture and how you live your life, and less about your deity belief, because that just isn't a big deal to many. It is fully possible to be an atheist Jew, and I don't think any other religions can manage that.
Everything makes more sense now that I've stopped believing.
I like gift exchanges in the winter, and lots of candy in the spring... so yes, I do enjoy some of the culture of the religious... lol
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I think Jon Stewart would be an excellent and obvious example. Pretty sure he does jewish things but seems to be pretty anti religion.
I celebrate christmas w/ my family. I don't even mind calling it christmas. I mean, it's the present swapping holiday under the pagan tree anyway. I don't really care what they call it as long as I get some ham, sweet potatoe's n' pie!
Faith is the word but next to that snugged up closely "lie's" the want.
"By simple common sense I don't believe in god, in none."-Charlie Chaplin
I guess that is true. I celebrate all the holidays. I like excuses to BS with family and friends, eat too much food and buy presents for my wife and daughter.
I don't consider it part of my religious culture though, I would consider that part of my American culture. Either way I guess.
Everything makes more sense now that I've stopped believing.
I read - somewhere, I didn't try to look it up again - that not only are many attendees of the CoE atheists, but so are many rectors/reverends/? I'm sure someone from England could set me straight.
I do christmas - I don't care if it is christmas, winter solstice, or some druidical celebration. I love the lights and the tree and the food. We don't do much in the way of presents - except for our grandson. Since I don't hang around malls, I don't have to put up with crowds and endless repetitions of the same ancient christmas songs.
Halloween is fun, but no one in my neighborhood trick or treats which is the most fun. We do a little candy and some lanterns - for fun. Easter is usually spent in the yard. If I have enough energy, deviled eggs but no candy. Forth of July - fireworks here. Almost every culture has some way of having celebrations during the year to mark the changing of the seasons. Go back far enough and all primitive cultures need a way to mark the year when they didn't have calendars. That was the importance of shamans. To figure out when to plant, when to move to the summer hunting grounds, when the village could relax because spring was on its way again.
I'm rather lackadaisical on the subject of celebrations. They have only a very recent connection to religion and a much older and - to my way of thinking - more important purpose for a community.
-- I feel so much better since I stopped trying to believe.
"We are entitled to our own opinions. We're not entitled to our own facts"- Al Franken
"If death isn't sweet oblivion, I will be severely disappointed" - Ruth M.
One of the most intelligent people I know is a "cultural Jew." He's never been preachy, and he's never had a problem with my outspoken blasphemy. The only time I've ever heard him speak of the Bible was when he half jokingly said "the Bible was right, there's nothing new under the sun." He even dressed up as Santa last year for his office Christmas party. But he attends temple every week.
Personally, I still celebrate Christmas. During family gatherings, I opt out of anything religious. Before meals, while the rest of the family is in prayer, I look at the ceiling and let the hand holding skip me and go across my lap or behind my back. I also prefer calling it "Christmahanukwanza" not to be politically correct, but because I consider them equally full of shit. I debated adding this next bit, because I fear anyone thinking I'm saying this to show off. Every year, instead of presents, I give charity gift cards. The receiver selects a charity, and they get the value of the card. What better time than the holidays to show that atheists are just as caring as the religious? I suggest all atheists adopt this tradition, but I'd be happy if just one person did. The first year, it won't go over well. People see a dollar amount and assume it's for them. They get over it after a minute, and it often becomes the most thoughtful gift they receive.
it's a pity FurryCatHerder seems to have given up on us. i'm sure she'd have a firm answer to this and scold anyone who disagreed with her--including other jews--for not knowing anything about judaism.
if you came after her time, i encourage you to search for her posts. she was very exasperating, particularly for me. when i studied religion in college, judaism was my specialty, and it's definitely the religion i still keep up with the most. despite my constant quoting of jewish sources throughout history, it always came down to the same shit with her: i'm not jewish, so i can't understand judaism no matter how much i've studied, and any of the jews i talked to who differed from her were wacko.
what the hell ever happened to her?
"I have never felt comfortable around people who talk about their feelings for Jesus, or any other deity for that matter, because they are usually none too bright. . . . Or maybe 'stupid' is a better way of saying it; but I have never seen much point in getting heavy with either stupid people or Jesus freaks, just as long as they don't bother me. In a world as weird and cruel as this one we have made for ourselves, I figure anybody who can find peace and personal happiness without ripping off somebody else deserves to be left alone. They will not inherit the earth, but then neither will I. . . . And I have learned to live, as it were, with the idea that I will never find peace and happiness, either. But as long as I know there's a pretty good chance I can get my hands on either one of them every once in a while, I do the best I can between high spots."
--Hunter S. Thompson