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Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Reform Judaism (10/12)
Previous Document: Question 18.4.5: Fallacy: Intermarried couples have exactly the same rights as non-intermarried couples in Reform Congregations
Next Document: Question 18.4.7: Fallacy: There are no 3rd or 4th generation Reform Jews
Question 18.4.6: Fallacy: Reform Judaism has Rabbis and congregations that don't believe in G-d
Answer:
Individual beliefs of Rabbis and congregations are personal, and not
subject to scrutiny by the movement. However, there has been a case
where a congregation was refused membership in UAHC because they
removed all references to G-d from their liturgy, and refused to allow
prayers mentioning G-d to be said in their santuary.
Note that there are rabbis and laypeople in all of the Jewish
denominations who go through a crisis of faith, have uncertainties
about the nature of G-d, or who are agnostic or atheist. Faith can not
be forced. An atheist or agnostic is not someone who thinks "There
really is a G-d, but I shall not admit it". Rather an atheist or
agnostic is someone who thinks "I see no evidence for G-d's existence,
and am certain (or fairly sure) that G-d does not exist." By
definition, one can never force someone to change their beliefs; that
can only come about from something internal to that person.
Does Judaism demand that such a person be considered as if they are in
contempt of Judaism? No. They are only held accountable for their
actions, for while beliefs are not a matter of choice, actions are.
The Talmud of the Land of Israel (Talmud Yerushalmi) posits that G-d
says about them "Would they were to forsake Me, providing that they
keep My law, for as a result of occupying themselves with it, its
light will bring them back to the right path" (Tractate Hagigah 1:7,
76c).
Top Document: soc.culture.jewish FAQ: Reform Judaism (10/12)
Previous Document: Question 18.4.5: Fallacy: Intermarried couples have exactly the same rights as non-intermarried couples in Reform Congregations
Next Document: Question 18.4.7: Fallacy: There are no 3rd or 4th generation Reform Jews
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