RE: Islam versus Judaism
June 28, 2017 at 12:43 pm
(This post was last modified: June 28, 2017 at 12:45 pm by Aliza.)
(June 28, 2017 at 10:32 am)KerimF Wrote: Please note that this thread is not about Mohammad’s and Moses’ gods but about their main rules and teachings which are supposed to be followed by Muslims and Jews respectively.
Therefore, it is as a general knowledge of what I knew about these two religions while being a neutral observer.
I suppose that most atheists here could be rather neutral observers too and help me update what I will say.
On the big picture, Islam is actually an Arabic version of Judaism.
Far from rituals, the essence of Islam’s commandments/teachings/stories coincides with the ones of Judaism.
And the believers in these two religions have to deny most of what Jesus says/teaches (as written on the today’s Gospel). I like adding that even most Christians (mainly their various leaders) around the world have to also ignore (or not to take seriously) many of Jesus teachings under the pretext they are about unpractical ideals or beyond human perception.
[1] As you know, both Muslims and Jews are told that the universe is created by One Supernatural Supreme Ruler of a Heavenly Kingdom; much like a great king on earth who looks to be glorified by his servants while they follow/obey his rules.
[2] And, both Muslims and Jews are supposed to fear their god. After all, in every earthly kingdom, followers/servants/slaves should fear the wrath of their powerful king.
[3] Also, the famous story of ‘Adam & Eve’ (one of many others) that was addressed, in the first place, to the ‘kids of humanity’ (many centuries ago) has to be accepted on these days, also by both believers, as being real ; even after all discoveries in Biology made by the ‘adults of humanity’.
I think, it is better to stop here and hear your views about what I wrote.
Please remember that I am always glad hearing negative comments if serious.
Thank you.
[1] Jews do believe that the universe was created by G-d, but we don't believe that G-d must be glorified. While we do believe that understanding what G-d is a benefit to the person, this is in no way a requirement. Glorifying G-d just sounds very goyish to me. I suppose a Jew's way of glorifying G-d would just be not to fuck people over in business and not to steal things from others, etc.
[2] .... Eh, not exactly. The word "fear" doesn't quite translate the same here. Jews believe that we have a contract with G-d (this is why we're all lawyers. We love contracts.) If we do certain things, good things will happen. If we do other things, bad things will happen. We don't fear that G-d will act outside of the parameters of the contract. We more or less respect G-d and respect that G-d will act within the agreed upon terms.
[3] Most definitely not. Judaism teaches that as new facts come in, we must reexamine our understanding of Torah. We do have a few nutcases who hold onto an antiquated view, but they're in the extreme minority. (I have met one in my personal life, and I've heard one talking about this view on YouTube, so I know that they exist.) Judaism largely holds to evolution and the big-bang, and I'm including many religious, black-hat sects in this generalization. Some Rabbis began writing about 900 years ago that the universe could be as old as 15B years, and Maimonides said in the late 1100's that as new facts come in, we have to take a closer look at how we translated Torah if those facts don't jive with our previous understanding.
(June 28, 2017 at 11:02 am)Whateverist Wrote: I am not an expert on any of the three Abrahamic religions but it has been my perception that jews more often emphasize living a good life over a future reward in an afterlife. It seems that you see Islam and Judaism as being the most alike, but I'm not seeing that.
Can you say more about your own religious affiliation, if any?
Bingo. Ultimately, Judaism is not a book about science or the origins of the universe. It's a book about how Jews should live their lives.
