The need to believe?

[Aliza]

The belief system I think you're describing is basically just something you've welcomed into your life to make you happy. It doesn't sound like you're trying to convince other people to join you in your spiritual quest, and if it's not detrimental to your social and emotional well-being, then you should think the way you want. 

If you feel you have a need to believe in something because it brings you comfort, then you should take the necessary steps to secure your peace and happiness. Maybe feeling that there's some higher power just makes you feel more secure. This is your life, and you should live it your way. 

You owe no explanations to anyone, and if anyone argues with you over the privately held thoughts that you have in your head (that are there to bring you comfort and peace, not them), or if they try to pick them apart to debunk your way of thinking, or if they have trouble respecting you for not thinking exactly like them, then trust me on this one thing: Those people are maladjusted fucks, and should be ignored.

You do you.

I know you guys don't recruit or anything but maybe you can put in a good word to the grand jewish pope guy on Deidre's behalf.  Your faith seems compact and easy to carry, a benefit to you without being a burden to others.  She might like that.  (Would she have to that horrible looking gefithy fish?)

GEFILTE FISH IS AWESOME! Especially with some horse raddish.
 
Jews don't have a pope-like counterpart because each Jew is equal and no Jew has authority over any other Jew. If we attach ourselves to the teachings of a particular Rabbi, that Rabbi carries no real authority over anyone. He (or she) may make suggestions, but people choose on their own whether to follow them or not. Leading the entire Jewish people is a lot like herding cats anyway.
 
Actually, we do have a counterpart faith for gentiles that Deidre might find is a good fit. The nice thing about Noahidism is that you can be as involved or not involved as you like. It's really more of a way of living than it is an organized movement, though some ex-Christians who find themselves in Noahidism may organize with weekly meetings or do services like a synagogue.
 
Basically, all Noahidism is living a respectful life that promotes good will toward others. Belief in G-d is optional, but usually people who are attracted to Noahidism do want to believe in G-d, they just don't want to be bogged down with all the religious bullshit. The Noahide laws are as follows, which I'm adding commentary to to explain my understanding of the law.
 
1) Do not murder. (Killing and murdering are different in Judaism. There’s something about the Hebrew word for murder that implies the blood rushing to the head (I forget the details here), so just to cover our bases, we include deliberately embarrassing others because embarrassing them causes them to blush. It’s a good policy either way.)

2) Do not steal. (Stealing may be expanded to include dishonest business transactions, or even being a total dickhead and refusing to tip the waiter when the culture dictates that tipping is how you compensate the waiter for services rendered.)

3) Do not worship false gods. (A better understanding of this may be “don’t commit human sacrifice to ensure a good crop,” or “don’t become so wrapped up in your screwy view of G-d that you cause harm to yourself or your community.” What people think they understand about G-d may be right or wrong, but worshiping may include some damaging behaviors.)

4) Do not be sexually immoral. (This ultimately translates to: Don’t commit adultery with someone else’s spouse. It’s douchey. Let that person leave their spouse fair and square before you sleep with them. Why? Because as fun as your affair may be, it hurts someone else. This does not necessarily include swinging and open marriages. From everything I understand about Judaism, the details would be flexible according to the tenor of society’s views on sex and what constitutes sexual immorality. It would be determined by the community at large.)

5) Do not eat the limb removed from a live animal. (Not a lot of room for interpretation here. Don’t chop an animal’s leg off and eat it. It causes the animal to suffer. This can also be generalized to treating animals with kindness and dignity. Kill the animal in a humane manner before you eat it.)  

6) Do not curse God. (This one would be very hard to do, as saying “G-d damn!” or “I think the Lord above is a cock sucking fucktard” doesn’t count as cursing. Cursing G-d requires a more specific set of actions, and thinking or feeling anger toward G-d isn't a part of those actions.)


7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice. (If you live in a society with other people, you already follow this.)