Your email address is safe with us. View our Privacy policy.
Author Bio:
Rabbi Marc Gellman began his studies in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin, and went on to attend the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ...
Read more about By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services.
Like It Or Not, Our Understanding of God Comes From Organized Religion
By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services
In this column, I once told the story of a girl named Jennifer, who
was being raised in an interfaith home. She asked The God Squad: "My
daddy is Jewish and my mommy is Catholic and they did not raise me up
to be anything. Do you know how I could get raised up to be
something?"
In response, a reader wrote: "Dear Rabbi Gellman: Can't we use the one common denominator, God, to answer Jennifer's question? Why can't she be taught to only know a loving God, without the attachment of a religion? Why can't we separate religion from God? God and religion are not one. Religion is our downfall. God is above all that human stuff. - G., via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: Your question is important and commonly asked by spiritual seekers who want to find God but not through organized religion. They often call themselves "spiritual but not religious."
Let's begin by thinking about spirituality and strictly "spiritual" people. Does their position make sense? Yes and no. I have no professional need to defend organized religion, even though I've given my life to organized Judaism (which is actually a contradiction in terms).
I like spiritual seekers because they're independent and motivated to ask the big questions about the meaning of God and life and morality and salvation. The fact that they're trying to find their way to God along a path less traveled is terrific. They may teach me something, and they may ask me to teach them.
My belief, and the belief of Judaism, is that all righteous people will go to heaven (we call it The World to Come). Therefore, those who want to do good things in our broken world with their lives, I'm all for them, whether they follow their own way to God, are atheists, agnostics, or some flavor in between. Just keep doing good things and God will be happy.
However, there are a few points I'd like to make for those who think they can throw out the bath water and not throw out the baby. Our understanding of God comes from organized religions. I prefer to call them the great wisdom traditions of the world. The oldest religions, and here I'm talking mainly about Judaism, Christianity and Islam, teach us about a God who created the world and created all people in God's image so we might learn that human life is sacred and the creation must be protected and nurtured.
Our moral codes were first written in the sacred texts of organized religions, and those moral codes, like not murdering and not stealing, have been reaffirmed by philosophers using reason alone. To accept these teachings without acknowledging their source is like pretending an apple didn't come from an apple tree. The tree carried the fruit into the world, just as organized religion carried the universal moral truths into the world. Out of fairness, let's hear it for the tree before we go munching on its fruit and pretending it came from the air.
The other great gift of organized religion is the gift of sacred community. Life is not meant to be lived alone or even in the small confines of family. We need community, and religion gives us community where we can help others need; pray together when we are week and gain strength from those who are strong; educate our children in the moral law and the traditions of our ancestors; and nurture the spirit of generosity and forgiveness, charity and benevolence that can so often elude us when we try to make life's journey alone.
Find the nearest soup kitchen or shelter in your community and my bet is it's run by some organized religious group. My favorite local example is the Interfaith Nutrition Network, run by my saintly friends Jean Kelly and Rob Kamerer. Without the help of organized churches, synagogues and mosques, their work to feed the hungry and cloth the naked would be impossible. (My pitch: Call them to volunteer your time and money: 516-486-8506. If you're not in the New York area, call the local interfaith coalition where you live.)
In the end, does the good done by organized religion overcome the perversions and distortions of organized religion that are also real? That question, dear friends, is above my pay grade. Just keep asking the big questions and doing good things.
Q: I respect everyone with different beliefs from mine and try not to discuss religion or politics with friends. However, I did talk about religion recently with a friend I see occasionally. To my surprise, she said she didn't believe in God or the Bible, knowing that I'm a Christian. She added that in this day and age, intelligent people think the Bible is just a collection of stories written by people without the knowledge we have today. I ended the conversation but felt hurt that she would say this. How would you have handled this situation?
A: Have her read my answer to the question No. 1. If that doesn't work, this person is not your friend since she doesn't respect your beliefs -- a basic duty of friendship. Let her go. I will be your friend. That way, your total number of friends will stay the same.
(Send QUESTIONS ONLY to The God Squad, c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or email them to godsquadquestion@aol.com.
(c) 2009 THE GOD SQUAD DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 09/03/2009
Printer Friendly Version | Send this page to a friend | Post Comment
Rate This Story:
Great - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Bad
Posted Comments:
10-06-2009 14:16
james wrote:
Dear Kathy
Not knowing the Dr who told you that it's not right to praise the Lord [PTL]. I really can't comment on what s/he said. I could only guess. He might think that God gave you a raw deal by allowing you to have your epilepsy and that's why you shouldn't PTL, or s/he might be athiest/agnostic.
You have the right to PTL whenever you wish. The Dr. was, IMO, acting rather unprofessionally when s/he said that.
You asked "Do hospitals have something against God?" I don't think so. I have been around hospitals for many years, and haven't run across one who was blatantly anti God. Many are affiliated with religious organizations. Most all of even the "secular" hospitals have chaplains on staff and allow and encourage clergypersons to visit their members who are hospital inpatients
I and my wife both have medical challenges also and empathize with your medical challenge. We ask God's blessings and joy be yours as you continue to PTL.
James
You have the right to PTL whenever you wish. The Dr. was, IMO, acting rather unprofessionally when s/he said that.
You asked "Do hospitals have something against God?" I don't think so. I have been around hospitals for many years, and haven't run across one who was blatantly anti God. Many are affiliated with religious organizations. Most all of even the "secular" hospitals have chaplains on staff and allow and encourage clergypersons to visit their members who are hospital inpatients
I and my wife both have medical challenges also and empathize with your medical challenge. We ask God's blessings and joy be yours as you continue to PTL.
James
10-05-2009 15:51
Kathy Donohue wrote:
I have epilpsy, Dr. says it's not right to Praise The Lord ?& I ...
Since I was a baby, music has been in both sides of the family. My Great-Aunt was in the Ziefield Follies. She sang and danced. Also she tolded me about wanting to see John McCormack. Back then she gave me music lessions. As a 1st suprano. Also I love John McCormack, what a fantastic voice. He sang for a Pope I'm not sure who. He's before my time and just looking at you two, you both look to young.
When I was in Junion High I became epletic. My Dr.had me taking different medications. No luck. I had my first operation. I was a bit better, I wtrked for the Department of Defence. Shoftly after a friend and I took our first trip. To Ireland. We were on a tour when Athlone they stopped for tea. Thank God I knew where we were. Where John McCornack was born. I ran to his home. A tear of happiness left my eye as I stepped into his home. A relative of his sold me an envelope signed by McCormack, his wife, and family. It only cost a tad. I hugged him and said God Bless.
At the flea market by us. I collect music insturments. I play 6 & 12 string grings. Also I sing and write music.
Do hospitals have something against God? Hope cause I love the Lord!
Kathy Donohue
When I was in Junion High I became epletic. My Dr.had me taking different medications. No luck. I had my first operation. I was a bit better, I wtrked for the Department of Defence. Shoftly after a friend and I took our first trip. To Ireland. We were on a tour when Athlone they stopped for tea. Thank God I knew where we were. Where John McCornack was born. I ran to his home. A tear of happiness left my eye as I stepped into his home. A relative of his sold me an envelope signed by McCormack, his wife, and family. It only cost a tad. I hugged him and said God Bless.
At the flea market by us. I collect music insturments. I play 6 & 12 string grings. Also I sing and write music.
Do hospitals have something against God? Hope cause I love the Lord!
Kathy Donohue
09-22-2009 22:17
hey Dominik wrote:
To NOYB
Like P I was saddened to hear your story about your dad and what he did to you and your brother with his end of the world predictions. I have my own father issues too, but not quite like yours.
I regret that I feel compelled to call Dominik on his distortions of the Bible.
I had bought into that end of the world belief like your father’s for a while, but further deep reading and study of the Bible gradually changed my mind and heart about that subject.
Since the time I started questioning Dominik’s postings I have done a lot of research on the group to which he belongs, and from what I have learned there, and from what you shared about your past, I really don’t think you would like it there.
They are EXTREMELY authoritarian and the ONLY interpreter of the Bible is their presiding minister Eliseo Soriano.
If you haven’t already, look up the Wikdpedia Article on “Members Church of God International” to learn more about them. There are a couple of links in the Wikipedia article which take you to critical articles about MCGI.
I pray that you will find emotional and spiritual peace in your journey.
I regret that I feel compelled to call Dominik on his distortions of the Bible.
I had bought into that end of the world belief like your father’s for a while, but further deep reading and study of the Bible gradually changed my mind and heart about that subject.
Since the time I started questioning Dominik’s postings I have done a lot of research on the group to which he belongs, and from what I have learned there, and from what you shared about your past, I really don’t think you would like it there.
They are EXTREMELY authoritarian and the ONLY interpreter of the Bible is their presiding minister Eliseo Soriano.
If you haven’t already, look up the Wikdpedia Article on “Members Church of God International” to learn more about them. There are a couple of links in the Wikipedia article which take you to critical articles about MCGI.
I pray that you will find emotional and spiritual peace in your journey.
09-22-2009 21:45
hey Dominik wrote:
answers to your ? of P continued from previous post
On another topic, you wrote on 09-22-2009 03:36 : “ I don't have our own Bible... we can use any Bible and will come with the same answers”
My advice to you Dominik is think VERY CAREFULLY before you post something like that. Her “Bible” is the Jewish Bible. The Jewish Bible is JUST the Old Testament, so if you were to try to answer a question from the OT alone about Jesus Christ, you would find passages about the pre-incarnate Christ, but none specifically naming the name Jesus Christ. [By the way, Matthew 23 is not in the OT either. ]
Dominik, I continue to pray to God by your name for your deliverance from your mental and spiritual bondage in the group you call your church.
May God bless all who read this
My advice to you Dominik is think VERY CAREFULLY before you post something like that. Her “Bible” is the Jewish Bible. The Jewish Bible is JUST the Old Testament, so if you were to try to answer a question from the OT alone about Jesus Christ, you would find passages about the pre-incarnate Christ, but none specifically naming the name Jesus Christ. [By the way, Matthew 23 is not in the OT either. ]
Dominik, I continue to pray to God by your name for your deliverance from your mental and spiritual bondage in the group you call your church.
May God bless all who read this
09-22-2009 21:42
hey Dominik wrote:
answers to your ? of P
You addressed your post on 09-22-2009 03:36 to NOYB but most of your discussion were to points P raised or questions addressed to her [? until further clarification].
I will answer your question to “P” re: Matt 23:8 because she is Jewish and I believe not accustomed to interpreting our New Testament. I’ve read her discomfort with dealing with our book [the NT] in other places.
The Matthew 23:8 passage is MISAPPLIED by you in this case, and is not merely out of context. As I have explained to you ad nauseum, this scripture is an instruction of Jesus to His disciples and followers.
Rabbi Gellman and “P” are by their own admission, not followers of Christ therefore are not bound by His instruction. As a Christian I would like them to follow Christ, but that has not yet been their choice and God does not force them to believe in Christ. Not all of the Jewish people of Jesus’ visible sojourn on earth converted to become Christians.
You also said “the Church we should join is the CHURCH OF GOD IN THE BIBLE... I REPEAT... IN THE BIBLE.”
Well, your MEMBERS church of God INTERNATIONAL is NOT FOUND [I REPEAT NOT FOUND] in the Bible ANYWHERE! It is your right to believe that you have found the true church, but don’t try to try to TRICK people with names that sound similar. Under one of the Billy Graham columns on 09-07-2009 19:57 You wrote: “I am consistent that I am a member of the CHURCH OF GOD... and we are now international...”
That is an obfuscation! All ANYONE needs do is go to the websites you promote and your group’s name is clear and emblazoned on most web pages for your group: “ MEMBERS church of God INTERNATIONAL”. I myself am consistent in calling your tricky manipulation for what it is.
Maybe YOU fell for it, but that does not mean I should stand by and not say something when you utter a blatant falsehood and suggest people should join your group because the name sounds similar.
More to come
I will answer your question to “P” re: Matt 23:8 because she is Jewish and I believe not accustomed to interpreting our New Testament. I’ve read her discomfort with dealing with our book [the NT] in other places.
The Matthew 23:8 passage is MISAPPLIED by you in this case, and is not merely out of context. As I have explained to you ad nauseum, this scripture is an instruction of Jesus to His disciples and followers.
Rabbi Gellman and “P” are by their own admission, not followers of Christ therefore are not bound by His instruction. As a Christian I would like them to follow Christ, but that has not yet been their choice and God does not force them to believe in Christ. Not all of the Jewish people of Jesus’ visible sojourn on earth converted to become Christians.
You also said “the Church we should join is the CHURCH OF GOD IN THE BIBLE... I REPEAT... IN THE BIBLE.”
Well, your MEMBERS church of God INTERNATIONAL is NOT FOUND [I REPEAT NOT FOUND] in the Bible ANYWHERE! It is your right to believe that you have found the true church, but don’t try to try to TRICK people with names that sound similar. Under one of the Billy Graham columns on 09-07-2009 19:57 You wrote: “I am consistent that I am a member of the CHURCH OF GOD... and we are now international...”
That is an obfuscation! All ANYONE needs do is go to the websites you promote and your group’s name is clear and emblazoned on most web pages for your group: “ MEMBERS church of God INTERNATIONAL”. I myself am consistent in calling your tricky manipulation for what it is.
Maybe YOU fell for it, but that does not mean I should stand by and not say something when you utter a blatant falsehood and suggest people should join your group because the name sounds similar.
More to come
Comment archive | Comment FAQ's
 |
 |
View God Squad ezine stories by date or visit the complete archive |
The ArcaMax Politics channel is one of 70 content categories offered by ArcaMax Publishing on this ... |
VideoSquares.com
