Explaining Jews, Part II: Why Are Most Jews Secular?

Front Page Magazine ^ | 24 January 2006 | Dennis Prager

[unionblue83]

To understand Jews, one must understand that most Jews are not religious. This is true even if our definition of "religious" is minimal, i.e., observant of any specifically Jewish religious laws, attends synagogue once a month or even declares a belief in God.

According to a 2003 Harris Poll, "Only 16 percent of Jews go to synagogue once a month or more often"; and regarding belief in God: "Protestants (90 percent) are more likely than Roman Catholics (79 percent) and much more likely than Jews (48 percent) to believe in God. Religious affiliation here includes many people raised as members of a religion or religious group, regardless of what they practice or believe now."

Why most contemporary Jews are irreligious, given that the Jews gave the world the Bible and introduced humanity to the God of monotheism, is a fascinating subject. It is also a vital subject given the role that secular Jews -- such as Marx, Freud, and Einstein -- have played in forming the modern world.

[kindred]

[According to a 2003 Harris Poll, "Only 16 percent of Jews go to synagogue once a month or more often"; and regarding belief in God: "Protestants (90 percent) are more likely than Roman Catholics (79 percent) and much more likely than Jews (48 percent) to believe in God. Religious affiliation here includes many people raised as members of a religion or religious group, regardless of what they practice or believe now."]

Unfortunate facts, yet proof that their are always unbelievers (atheists)in any religion. Secular Jews identify with the secular left which generally supports the enemies of Christ's Israel.
It is an enigma.

[billorites]

Milton Himmelfarb's famous quote comes to mind that, "Jews earn like Episcopalians and vote like Puerto Ricans."

[sergeantdave]

The answer is that communists have infiltrated religion - Judiasm, Catholicism, etc. Anyone remember "liberation theology"? The marxists have lured millions of useful idiots to aid in the destruction of religion. And enthusiastic communists have now started their own religion called environmentalism.

[SampleMan]

Protestants (90 percent) are more likely than Roman Catholics (79 percent) and much more likely than Jews (48 percent) to believe in God.

100% of Protestants and Catholics believe in God. To not believe in God disqualifies you from be termed either. As being Jewish is a tribal as well as religious term, atheist Jews continue to call themselves and be called Jews.

The religious Jews I know tend conservative.

[SampleMan]

Protestants (90 percent) are more likely than Roman Catholics (79 percent) and much more likely than Jews (48 percent) to believe in God.

100% of Protestants and Catholics believe in God. To not believe in God disqualifies you from be termed either. As being Jewish is a tribal as well as religious term, atheist Jews continue to call themselves and be called Jews.

The religious Jews I know tend conservative.

[OldFriend]

Given recent history it's not hard to understand why many jewish people have decided there is no G-D.

[SJackson]

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[MarkL]

Given recent history it's not hard to understand why many jewish people have decided there is no G-D.

My cousin's husband's parents both survived Auschwitz, although his father is now dead. The odd thing is that his mother and her sister both survived as well, but both came out with totally opposite beliefs. His mother is an extremely devout Jew, keeping Kosher, and going to synagogue as often as her health will allow (she's in her 90s now). The experience strengthened her faith. On the other hand, her sister, in her late 80s, came out of the camps as an atheist, and she constantly bickers with, and berates her sister for "wasting her time on a G-d that doesn't exist."

Mark

[OldFriend]

One relative finds comfort in the rituals of her religion and the other is angry no doubt that the holocaust was allowed to happen.

I, too, find myself doubting at certain times.

But at the bottom of my heart, I still believe.

Not as Ann Frank believed, in the goodness of man, but that somehow there is a G-D.

[conservative physics]

It's news that over 50% of Jews don't believe in God?

I was under the impression that the majority of Jews had a long history of not believing in God, at least that's the impression I get from reading the old testament.

[MajorityOfOne]

In sum, maybe Judaism is just another religion.

[kitkat]

***100% of Protestants and Catholics believe in God.***

I like your answer.

Many people identify themselves by their parents' religion, but never received instructions in it. The poll does not take that into consideration.

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Given recent history it's not hard to understand why many jewish people have decided there is no G-D.

Given Biblical accounts of atrocities committed against God's people, it is hard to understand why so many of them believe that This Time Is Different, and that the events of the 20th century somehow disprove God's existence.

[Alouette]

"In each and every generation, our enemies rise up to destroy us, but the Holy One, Blessed Be He, saves us from their hands."--Haggadah of Passover

In site of there being non-believers among us, there has always been a core of believers that has prevailed from generation to generation.

[Alouette]

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[Recon Dad]

Love the quote!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zionist Conspirator]

Given Biblical accounts of atrocities committed against God's people, it is hard to understand why so many of them believe that This Time Is Different, and that the events of the 20th century somehow disprove God's existence.

Beautifully put!

[Zionist Conspirator]

Given recent history it's not hard to understand why many jewish people have decided there is no G-D.

Not really. Once G-d is removed from the picture objective morality becomes impossible and nothing, not even mass murder of Jews, can be said to be objectively immoral.

[fooman]

must read jewish ping. I didn't know that marx and freud were jews. What about neitsche?