Guest guest Posted August 25, 2002 Report Share Posted August 25, 2002 B " H I have a friend (who is also an Orthodox Jew, BTW) who has a very interesting theory (with which I agree). He said that many religious people, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. seem to be too focused on " the world to come " whatever it is they envision this to be. I can't speak for other religions, but as far as Judaism goes, while we do talk about the world to come and use many analogies for what it may (or may not) be, we are not supposed to focus on it. One of the things that made Judaism different from the Egyptian religion of the time of the Exodus was that we focused on this life (the Egyptians back then were very focused on the afterlife -- the whole emtombing in Pyramids thing and embalming people so that their bodies would look good in the afterlife, etc.). So I have a major problem when people start to focus in on the afterlife. I also, believe it or not, have a huge problem with " reward and punishment " as absolutes.... I think it's only applicable as a learning tool... I really don't believe that G-d smites people for every little " sin " . I don't believe that I'm going to get a bunch of nubile men or a gorgeous house or a Lincoln Continental in heaven. I believe that the joy in heaven (if it exists, which I believe it does) is in being in G-d's presence. And that what we do here on earth prepares us for this in the same way as learning Arithmatic prepares one for Algebra..... (IMHO)..... Debbie Hi Angie > Seems to me the followers are no better, and infact far worse ,than the > people on here, many of whom aren't doing it because they have a belief > that they will be rewarded in the " next life " Making no comment about any individuals, but many faiths do seem to be followed for just this purpose. I can't help thinking of the Hindus suing McD****ds for frying supposedly vegetarian stuff in beef fat. No self respecting ethical / health based vegetarian would ever have gone to McD****ds in the first place! BB Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2002 Report Share Posted August 26, 2002 , What is your opinion on Jesus Christ? vegg " compugraphd " <compugraphd@e...> wrote: > B " H > > I have a friend (who is also an Orthodox Jew, BTW) who has a very > interesting theory (with which I agree). He said that many religious > people, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. seem > to be too focused on " the world to come " whatever it is they envision > this to be. I can't speak for other religions, but as far as Judaism > goes, while we do talk about the world to come and use many analogies > for what it may (or may not) be, we are not supposed to focus on it. > One of the things that made Judaism different from the Egyptian > religion of the time of the Exodus was that we focused on this life > (the Egyptians back then were very focused on the afterlife -- the > whole emtombing in Pyramids thing and embalming people so that their > bodies would look good in the afterlife, etc.). So I have a major > problem when people start to focus in on the afterlife. > > I also, believe it or not, have a huge problem with " reward and > punishment " as absolutes.... I think it's only applicable as a > learning tool... I really don't believe that G-d smites people for > every little " sin " . I don't believe that I'm going to get a bunch of > nubile men or a gorgeous house or a Lincoln Continental in heaven. I > believe that the joy in heaven (if it exists, which I believe it > does) is in being in G-d's presence. And that what we do here on > earth prepares us for this in the same way as learning Arithmatic > prepares one for Algebra..... (IMHO)..... > > Debbie > > > > Hi Angie > > > Seems to me the followers are no better, and infact far > worse ,than the > > people on here, many of whom aren't doing it because they have a > belief > > that they will be rewarded in the " next life " > > Making no comment about any individuals, but many faiths do seem to be > followed for just this purpose. I can't help thinking of the Hindus > suing > McD****ds for frying supposedly vegetarian stuff in beef fat. No self > respecting ethical / health based vegetarian would ever have gone to > McD****ds in the first place! > > BB > Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2002 Report Share Posted August 26, 2002 Hi Debbie > One of the things that made Judaism different from the Egyptian > religion of the time of the Exodus was that we focused on this life > (the Egyptians back then were very focused on the afterlife -- the > whole emtombing in Pyramids thing and embalming people so that their > bodies would look good in the afterlife, etc.). I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of the Egyptian religion - the only people who got an afterlife were the " gods on Earth " (i.e. the rulers). You are assuming that their tombs are representative of the religion of the general populus, which is in no way the case. Interestingly, some of the traditions of early Judaism are pre-dated by similar traditions in Egypt - not least of which is the circumcision of infant males, but one of the most interesting is the transition of the Opet festival into Judaism. The Opet festival began at the Temple of Karnak, and three gods (in fact, large gold-covered wooden boxes) were carried down the Nile with people dancing and singing in front of them, wafting incense, and general party atmosphere. The same story is told in Judaism, when David " danced before the Ark " as it entered Jerusalm. Interestingly, the same festival continues in modern day Ethiopia. Tabots (replica Arks) are carried from churches on the heads of the priests, and the ancient Egyptian Opet festival is played out in all its glory in a festival known as Timkat. It is generally believed that this festival was brought to Ethiopia by the Beith Yisrael, who are basically Ethiopian Jews whose traditions suggest they travelled from Jerusalem prior to the Babylonian exile. BB Peter --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release 02/08/02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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