The conflicting beliefs of the fanatically religious

[perdita_dream]

Atheists don't need or want the judgment of religious fundamentalists. It is disturbing how much they hate us, especially when they frequently don't understand their own beliefs.

Comments

[fellmama]

Fun anecdote: there's a long-standing myth that having a tattoo prevents you from being buried in a Jewish cemetery (no doubt inspired by Leviticus 19:28). My friend Kerry, an adult convert, asked her rabbi if this was true. He responded that it is absolutely not, but that if she wanted to tell her kids that it was, he'd back her 100%.

[perdita_dream]

What if they found out he didn't believe what he was saying? It would jeopardize their trust in anything and everything else that he tells them.

Imagine them thinking: "Well, the rabbi said having lots of random unprotected sex is dangerous and unwise, but he probably doesn't really believe that either."

What did she do? Maybe it sounds harsh, but I think I'd look for another rabbi. I really really dislike dishonesty.

[fatpie42]

What if they found out he didn't believe what he was saying? It would jeopardize their trust in anything and everything else that he tells them.

Weren't you ever told any fibs when you were younger?

Never told that Father Christmas exists?
Never told about the tooth fairy?
Never told that carrots help you see in the dark?
No?

All they'd need to do was explain WHY they told the fib.

[perdita_dream]

Those things are not the same at all. What if the mom died suddenly? The child might think mom can't go to heaven because of her tattoo. And it isn't like a child would want a tattoo, presumably the children would be in their early teens or older when they are told this. Being dishonest with them at that age about the fate of their souls is more likely to add fuel to their naturally rebellious fire

[fellmama]

I think your response here is very much colored by your Christian filter. Disputation, argument with authority, and differing opinions are foundational in Judaism; the Talmud (the collection of rabbinical opinions that forms the second canonical text of the faith) is based on people arguing

[perdita_dream]

I see. That is interesting, I didn't know that. I assumed rabbis were more like priests. And I approve of arguing (obviously). It makes things interesting ;-)

This post is actually public so yes SQ can read it and I would indeed be interested to hear her thoughts. I assumed that the location of the burial was a reflection of the destination of the soul (although I am under the impression Jews do not believe in hell, at least not the Christian version.)

Also my reply to fatpie42 may have been somewhat harsh since I generally get defensive when strangers wander onto my personal LJ to argue. But I do get annoyed with authority figures being dishonest.