From: saal@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (samuel.saal)
Subject: Re: Why I became an Athiest (was: frustrations with christianity)
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 13:43:24 GMT
Followup-To: soc.culture.jewish

In article <1992Dec9.212300.6618@netcom.com> madhaus@netcom.com (Maddi
Hausmann) writes:

First of all, Maddi should stick to her excellent efforts moderating
rec.humor.funny; at least there foot in the mouth ignorance doesn't mean
much.

>My religious upbringing was in Judaism.  I had a somewhat schizoid
>upbringing in the faith, in that our family attended an Orthodox
>synogogue, but acted more like the "Reform" faith at home.  We didn't
>keep kosher.  We could have bacon in restaurants but not at home.  We
>*did* keep kosher for Passover, however.  We went to synogogue every
>Saturday, but we *drove*, which is not allowed; one should walk.

>Needless to say, this "pick-and-choose Jewish Lite" faith led to my
>asking an awful lot of questions.  When I asked my parents why we
>didn't keep kosher (as I was learning how to do so in Hebrew School),
>I was told it was "too much trouble."  The crystallizing events that
>led me to atheism were:

This exemplifies the poor education-experience mix Maddi seems to have
received.  Children are not so stupid as to miss the inconsistency
inherent in "do as I say, not as I do."  Few, if any, of my childhood
friends who "kept Kosher in the home, but not out" are particularly
concerned about the kashruth of the homes they now run.

>   2.  I attended a Jewish Summer Camp.  It wasn't terribly
>       religious, but we had Saturday services (mercifully brief)
>       and one day a group of Lubavichers (ultra-orthodax Hassidic
>       Jews) came to talk to us about their ways.  The boys and
>       girls were separated, and one girl asked why this was (we
>       spoke to the women).  One replied that if there were no
>       boys to distract us, we could study the Torah more effectively.
>       However, I knew from my lessons, and from how our synogogue
>       was built, that no care was put into whether the women could
>       see the men.  The intent and design was so the men would not
>       be distracted by the women; after all, the women were on the
>       6' high raised platform with the walls.  I remember deciding
>       right then and there that this religion was really stupid.
>       Age: 12.

From one lecture and the construction techniques of one synagogue this 12
year old has the wisdom to categorize?

>Later readings from other atheist scholars helped confirm my beliefs,
>but these experiences got me there.  I should also add that since my
>father's religious indoctrination (of me) seemed more motivated by

I find it interesting that there are athiest "scholars" but no religious
ones.  Religion is summed up in her post as no more intellectual than
"indoctrination."

>duty than his own belief, that this didn't help matters.  My dad is
>a Holocaust escapee, and has a strong need to carry on his religion.
>Unfortunately (for him), I saw no comfort, love or beauty in it; just 
>a lot of "Thou Shalt Nots" and "How can you question this religion your
>ancestors died for?"  I understand what he wants, but it didn't make
>me want it for me.  He's pretty much failed with my brother, too.  I
>still don't think he's figured out why.  I hope any theist 
>parents reading this learn from his example.

If all you can do is view religion, espceially Judaism, as a series of
"don't do's" you have missed out on more than just education.

>Someone asked earlier why so many Jews became atheists.  I
>have a few theories on that.  We're a minority religion, so
>there's less of a chance of succumbing to the "group neurosis"
>that Christians must deal with.  We meet people from other
>religious groups every day.  No wonder only the Hassids, with
>their strict isolationism, are the only group of American
>Jews still growing.

This is bad sociology.  Look deeper and you'll find every interpretation
within Judasim, at least from traditional Conservative and on to the
"right" is growing,  Most are anything but isolationist.

>Maddi Hausmann                madhaus@netcom.com
>Humorist, Satirist, Tech Writer.  Take your pick.

Ooops.  My mistake.  I didn't realize this was all a satire.  I'm relieved
to know that her Jewish education is not as abysmal as this writeng, were
it not satire, tends to portray.
-- 
Sam Saal      kingfish!saal OR saal@kingfish.att.com
	Vayiftach HaShem et Peah Ha`Aton
Newsgroups: alt.atheism