creators.com web

Comments

1 Comments | Post Comment
Why are the majority of American Jews non-religious, and why do so many even doubt God's existence? Rejection of nationalism is only a small part of the answer. Jews have traditionally placed a high value on learning and literacy. In an age of scientific rationalism, surrounded by a secular culture, the well-educated are naturally more likely to see religion -- ALL religion -- for what it is: a set of myths and superstitions invented thousands of years ago by people who were trying to make sense of nature without the benefit of science.

As for embracing Jewish "group identity," collective identities, whether national, racial, ethnic, religious or otherwise, only foster divisiveness and an "us-vs.-them" mentality. And I'm not spouting platitudes about being a "world citizen" or "a member of the human race" either -- those are just other forms of collective identity. An accident of birth and geography made me an American citizen; an accident of genetics made me a white or Caucasian person; an accident of genealogy made me a Jew. None of those have anything to do with my identity. I have but one identity: I am ME, an individual, a self-directed conscious being, existing in voluntary association with other such beings. If all people saw themselves that way, the world would be an infinitely better place.
Comment: #1
Posted by: Scot Penslar
Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:56 PM
Already have an account? Log in.
New Account  
Your Name:
Your E-mail:
Your Password:
Confirm Your Password:

Please allow a few minutes for your comment to be posted.

Enter the numbers to the right:  
Creators.com comments policy