I have to admit, I totally do. not. get. the Furry thing. I just don't.
But you know what? I'm totally cool with that, because I'm Orthodox Jewish, and anything we do looks really weird to people on the outside looking in. I've got no room to judge whatsoever.
I mean, what kind of a G-d commands you to go outside and build a tent without a roof (even if it rains) and then makes you eat all of your meals in this tent for the next week? (The holiday is called Succot if you want to look it up.)
Oy vey, don't even get me started on the stuff we do getting ready for Passover. Not to mention the prohibition against Wendy's double bacon cheeseburgers. (I've had them before I became observant, and those things are DAMN tasty!) Why, G-d, WHY?????
I have to admit, I totally do. not. get. the Furry thing. I just don't.
That's okay, sometimes those of us inside the fandom wonder what's going on and why we're still here ourselves.
But you know what? I'm totally cool with that, because I'm Orthodox Jewish, and anything we do looks really weird to people on the outside looking in. I've got no room to judge whatsoever.
I suppose everyone's faith looks weird to someone. And thanks for letting me know about your being Jewish; if it's okay I might ask you questions about the faith in the future for the sake of personal reference. Yes, I can get it from books too, but there's something to be said for speaking to someone who can pass along more personal knowledge, the "how it feels to me" part.
Best!
And really, that book... among other "freaks" they listed NASCAR fans and railfans (basically fans of trains). Now are they freaks?!
We're not supposed to follow blindly. We have free will. Humans are higher creatures than angels. Angels have no free will, and all they do is carry out orders. They have no control over what they do
( ... )
I was raised Baptist and I've talked to several ministers of the Catholic and Protestant denominations. Every one of them was adamant on how people were supposed to worship God. That's one of the reasons I stopped going to church.
That's the way it goes! I once went to a three hour class on one of the finer points of Jewish law. The rabbi who was leading the class brought in many different opinions, all of them well respected throughout history, accepted in their communities, and completely at odds. At the end of the class, all we wanted to know was "Who was right?"
The rabbi says, "Well, it depends on who you go by..."
*headdesk* A three hour class for THAT?
Sometimes, this "thinking for yourself" thing is a lot of work.
I've known some bad preacher and priests myself, but some good ones too. It's the man and not the denomination.
That said clergy does have a nasty tendency to draw authoritarian types. And the ones who are decent all too often get run down by their congregations.
But you know what? I'm totally cool with that, because I'm Orthodox Jewish, and anything we do looks really weird to people on the outside looking in. I've got no room to judge whatsoever.
I mean, what kind of a G-d commands you to go outside and build a tent without a roof (even if it rains) and then makes you eat all of your meals in this tent for the next week? (The holiday is called Succot if you want to look it up.)
Oy vey, don't even get me started on the stuff we do getting ready for Passover. Not to mention the prohibition against Wendy's double bacon cheeseburgers. (I've had them before I became observant, and those things are DAMN tasty!) Why, G-d, WHY?????
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That's okay, sometimes those of us inside the fandom wonder what's going on and why we're still here ourselves.
But you know what? I'm totally cool with that, because I'm Orthodox Jewish, and anything we do looks really weird to people on the outside looking in. I've got no room to judge whatsoever.
I suppose everyone's faith looks weird to someone. And thanks for letting me know about your being Jewish; if it's okay I might ask you questions about the faith in the future for the sake of personal reference. Yes, I can get it from books too, but there's something to be said for speaking to someone who can pass along more personal knowledge, the "how it feels to me" part.
Best!
And really, that book... among other "freaks" they listed NASCAR fans and railfans (basically fans of trains). Now are they freaks?!
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Guess I should have talked with a Rabbi. :)
Thanks for your words.
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I once went to a three hour class on one of the finer points of Jewish law. The rabbi who was leading the class brought in many different opinions, all of them well respected throughout history, accepted in their communities, and completely at odds. At the end of the class, all we wanted to know was "Who was right?"
The rabbi says, "Well, it depends on who you go by..."
*headdesk* A three hour class for THAT?
Sometimes, this "thinking for yourself" thing is a lot of work.
Reply
That said clergy does have a nasty tendency to draw authoritarian types. And the ones who are decent all too often get run down by their congregations.
Reply
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