First of all, thanks to everyone who has posted comments on the blog. The response has been great. I truly enjoy the dialogue with those who seriously want to hash out the issues. I believe the only way to really understand the TRUTH about something is to break it down and honestly examine it. Heated, CONSTRUCTIVE debate is welcome!
Second, some have gotten the impression that my atheism is a direct* response to my falling out with Lubavitch. It is not. I was Lubavitch until a few years after high school. I have been orthodox for the 10+ years since I graduated. I have become a skeptic only in the past 12 months and honest with myself that I am really an atheist in the past few weeks.
Third, just for the record I want to throw out my feelings about Chabad. I don't have an agenda against Lubavitch. I probably do harbor some resentment about the impact it has had on my life and family but I'm not out to bring Chabad down. I have many fond memories of my time in Lubavitch. For example: yelling at the top of my lungs "[I] want Moshiach now!" to get a can of soda. (Gan Izzy Rules!) But I also have memories of being taught things that in hindsight are clearly racist, vulgar, or just simply wrong. My relationship is very love/hate. Parts were awesome, other parts sucked.
I know religion works for many and I don't believe in imposing my beliefs on other people. I'm all about discussing my beliefs in an appropriate forum (blogs, comment boards, some Shabbos tables) but my days of asking strangers on the street to follow my beliefs and practices are over. I'm content to let the FACTS stand for themselves.
I hope this clears some things up.
LNM
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* 9/2/07 I added the word direct in an effort to be more accurate.
6 comments:
have you ever really hashed out your issues with a REAL talmid chacham?
Yes. (Good question BTW.) I've approached a number of different people over the years (including some fairly well known talmudi chachamim). The responses vary. Usually I get one of the following 1) 'I'm not good with these issues. Ask someone else': 2) my question will be met with a shudder and the topic is quickly changed: 3) my questions (or emails) are outright ignored: 4) I'm told to daven or learn more and read a recommended mussar/chasidus/Jewish-self-help book.
The biggest rabbiem usually responded to my questions with 3, and 4. One even acknowledged my assertion that Judiasm appears man made. (He opted not to comment however).
The simple truth is I am looking for hard proof. But, the fact is I won't find it.
LNM
That's true Judaism is man-made. When one has found the truth, he raidates with joy, and a Eureka! I have found it attitiude. Judaism doesn't do that. It makes people neurotic, insular, sometimes racist, and generally puts your mind into the 1st century (BC).
I was involved with Lubavitch,but left after seeing that nobody makes any spiritual progress, unless you consider seeing well known rabbis drunk and violent on Purim & Simchas Torah spiritual attributes.
LNM-
Judaism is man-made. That's one of its strengths in my personal opinion; the whole "Torah lo bashamayim hi"thing. But that's kind of a long discussion, partly what I was discussing in my most recent post. (not a plug, since you already commented ;))Youre not gonna find hard proof for anything; not Judaism, and not atheis either. Everything comes down to what you decide you want to believ in, essentially.
Micky-
ironically, I feel like I grew most spiritually, and possibly was a better Jew than I ever was anywhere else, when I was at Chabbad; it had something to do with them constantly harping on you to make hachlatas and pick a middah to work on. I feel like I worked on myself most out of my whole life-span with Chabbad, which is sort of sad, considering I haven't been in Chabbad since i was thirteen.
I feel bad. If the Rebbe were still alive, you would not be having this discussion. A quick trip to 770 and your problem would be solved. Now, all the stories and accomplishments seem to tarnish with age, as if they were mearly Maasehs. But, from one who was there and saw with my one eyes. It is real. I would try going to the Ohel.
Intellectually, belief in the existence of G-d is something quite easy to prove.
Rabz, thanks for the post. I once thought as you did.
If you can easily prove the existence of god intellectually I would be happy to hear from you. (LubabNoMore-at-gmail-dot-com) I am more than willing to read anything (on this topic) you can send my way.
BTW, I read this http://www.chabad.org/library/article.htm/aid/108386/jewish/Proof-of-Gds-Existence.html over at Chabad.org and I found it severely lacking. I open to any proof you can show me.
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