I’m thinking about converting. I have been a christian for most of my life. But the bible has lots of holes in it and itsn’t an infallible book, turns out that Jesus wasn’t half as divine as the romans made him out to be. Still a cool guy.
I reallly like Islam, especially Sufi,
then again, Judaism is what sparked both of them
Mohomad made Islam because both Judaism and Christianity stunk. I can see that he didn’t approve of christianity because they made christ God, but what did he find faulty in Judaism? Why is he the Prophet of God? Because he had a vision? So did lots of people. So did John on Patmos, he had the very “Black Elk” vision.
So All you Jew…Do you still do animal sacrifice? If so, I’m in. I like the Christ of Christianity, the “God only” center of Islam, and I don’t know much about Judaism. I have read “basic judaism” I like God, no I love God. In my personal endevors I read the Taoist classics religiously, but I think both are appropriate.
Can someone help me out?
I’m not Ethnically Jewish, I’m part Caucasion and Part Asian. Does this matter? Are gentiles filthy? If I convert will I be one of “god’s people” or will I still be a gentile? I don’t want god to like me less. I know it sounds childish, but thats from the heart.
You know Stacey, I’m not too sure you’re serious with this post.
Sacrfices? Gentiles filthy? Come on.. :rolleyes:
If you are serious, I’ll say this.
Christianity, like any other religion, needs to be lived and studied in a way that is mindful, intelligent, and humble.
There is nothing wrong with Christianity, but in order to be “faithful” in anything you have to be willing to take action, and depend on yourself as a “temple” that such religious strength flows through.
If you want to study other religions, and possibly go to another, than that is okay too. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses whether it be Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, or Taoism. All of them too have the potential and power to empower people and make things happen if one is willing to take action for himself. The biggest part of religion that I feel is the best benefit is the inner peace and happiness it can impart.
You want ot become Jewish? Do you realize how much more you’re gonna have to do? I don’t think you should, ismply becuase all of the new things you will have to do/not do will most likely overhwelm you unless wither youre rea ldedicated or you grew up doing them. Trust me on this one.
I apologize to those who hate it when I bring up my jewishness, but in this case it is necessary that I do in this case. Sorry again.
Stacey… did they kick youu out of the christian church because they found out you’re a He/She? Well… I don’t think the jews will be any easier on you. Have you read any thing about toaism?
Try reading a book on the Kabalah. It’s a Jewish view on Jesus. These guys (Rabbis) looked at both old and new Testament and merged them (sort of). I found it very interesting. But I also found books on Buddism, Judaism, Islam and Taoism, interesting as well.
Try it, you might like it. Or you may come to the conclusion that all religions are just stories written to explain the unexplainable. Every culture needs to have faith of some kind. Look around a pick your poison. They all lead to the same place.
I’ve never found a religious book that answered the question ‘What is the meaning of life?” better than the words from a James Taylor song.
“ The meaning of life is enjoying the passage of time.”
Um, Godzilla, hate to correct you, but Kaballah has NOTHING to do with Jesus. And it is not some kind of congolmeration of ANY new testament and old testament. Not that at all. Its EXTREMELY in-depth bible study and actually, you arentsupposed to learn it until you are at least 40.
Hope I clarified something…
and by the way, once you convert to judaism, there is no backing out.
You must begin by playing basketball.
You just also tell everyone that the world will end on Dec 22, 2012.
You must believe death is just like the skin of the serpent.
In prana’s defence, what he described pretty much applies to the Aztec race as far as is known. He took a bit of poetic licence with the basketball thing, but all that is right.
This is hard to explain so you’ll have to forgive me for that one, but its something like once a jew always a jew. Just ask Hitler, may his name be obliterated for all time, he knew that and most jews know that as well.
prana is our meditation/religion guy here on the forum, he is cool.
He is part of the KFO exclusive feature, hes one with the forum, man, part of the collective KFO mind…
I don’t know how serious anyone is? Here is my 2 cents (and more).
Religion…well
The Jews believe that Jesus was a prophet. Bahai believes that Jesus, Mohamad, and many others were all fractions of the right story or had all of it right but their followers got it wrong or partly wrong. What I’ve learned through my studies is that a religion is started and then fractures off into many subsets. One may or may not take dominance over the other. Some “leaders” may decide what is best for all othe sects/subsets and declare things. This happens/happened in Buddihism, Christianity (wow did it), Islam, etc. Everyone has their own ideas. Sometimes the subsequent religion doesn’t even resemble the founder’s ideas. Do you work deligently (do your duty, darma)? Do you feel religion? Do you do the ritualistic thing? Do you follow strict codes of conduct? Do you preach/minister/etc.? What do you want out of religion? If you want ritualistic you can find that in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox ______(Jewish faith, Buddism, Hindu Religion …sorry forgot the various names, Christianity, Muslim/Isamic. etc). Do you want to feel/mystic faith (kinda wierd to say…go with it) then you can find that in _______(the same as above).
If you want to find a church/temple/sigh…go visit them and talk to the head religious person or group facilitator. Then attend a service or two and see what you like or don’t like.
Believe it or not, there are still pagens, druids, witches (wiccah…wicken, sorry I’m not to good with spelling and I’m not trying to put the faith down) still practicing today. Can you find them? I know for a fact there a few of the above in Ohio. I’ve met them, they seem nice and everything and are sometimes more dedicated than a good number of Catholics I’ve met.
Well, at least I hope I have given some food for thought and haven’t ticked too many people off.
I’m only ethnically Jewish, not practicing, but I’ve attended a few services and had some long talks with a few Rabbis.
There is no animal sacrifice in modern Judaism. Gentiles are not considered filthy, although certain foods (pork, shellfish, improperly prepared meat of any kind, some others) are considered ‘treyf’ which means unfit.
There are many different kinds of modern Judaism, roughly broken down as Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed. They are basically more or less stringent about clinging to tradition and the literal word of the Torah and Talmud (Rabbinical commentary and interpretation of the Torah.)
The philisophical underpinnings of Judaism depend on who is speaking, as with all religion. A good place to start to understand Jewish spiritual practice is with their holidays. The most important holidays in the Jewish Calendar take place at the New Year, and are called the High Holy Days. The first of these is Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgement, when G_d (the Jews belief it would be profane to speak or write the name of the deity) makes His plans for who lives and dies in the next year. Later comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On this day, you must reflect on the wrongs you have committed in the previous year and pray for forgiveness from G_d. Lest you think it’s all dour aceticism, let me tell you about another holiday, Purim. Purim is the Feast of Esther, and without going into too much detail, after the Rabbi reads the story of Esther to the congregants, you are supposed to get so drunk you cant tell the hero of the story from the villain. No, seriously!
The link above is to a Reform Judaism home page, with much more information. I am sure that if you can find a Temple or Synogogue nearby the Rabbi would be happy to discuss the possibility of conversion with you and give you a much better sense of what it will require.
