I really think everyone should read some A. J. Heschel – man who believed in tradition but rejected some aspects of the theology of orthodox judaism. It’s not all-or-nothing, my-derech-or-no-derech.
“It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion–its message becomes meaningless.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism)
agreed - very nice.
ReplyDeleteScience is about getting closer to truth and recognizing that your efforts can always be improved.
ReplyDeleteRevealed religions are about blind acceptance with serious punishment for asking inconvenient questions.
To blame the first for the failings of the second is like blaming the little boy for the Emperor's new clothes.
I've dealt with lots j-related that hasn't been my cup of tea, but I've always been encouraged to ask any and every question re: judaism that I have. I don't blindly accept, and I dig mussar, which would fall under your definition of science, above. I'm not blaming, and if you think Heschel is, that's certainly your right. I didn't read into it on that level. What stood out to me was a point with which I agree, that "when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion – its message becomes meaningless." I think everything is what folks make of it, on a certain level. I realize many will disagree with me, and I can deal with that.
ReplyDelete