Jews disagree on an afterlife Most of Judaism not concerned with afterlife

The Times-Picayune ^ | 11/24/01 | Bruce Nolan

[chemicalman]

Q. Do Jews believe in an afterlife?

A. "As many Jews as there are, there are that many opinions," said Rabbi David Goldstein of Touro Synagogue.

However monolithic Judaism might look from a distance, it contains a good deal of diversity of thought even on a question one might think as basic as whether anything lies beyond the grave -- which, incidentally, is not a question of great concern in most of Judaism, he said.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

Whoops! Apparently, JohnRob's automatic tag closing feature doesn't work for tags.

Does the above mean that you were using "irony" or Pascal was?

BTW... I peeked at your profile so I would know to whom I am speaking.... and I must say, "CONGRATULATIONS" are in order on the birth of your precious son! If he isn't proof of the existance of God, then nothing is.

[sirchtruth]

A person of your intellect can not understand that ppl would not go to be martyred for something they knew be a lie? These men claimed to have witnessed the acts...Would you die for a lie?

[Jhoffa_]

Indeed salvation and progress is only attainable through analytical look at the situation using available data and information. This is equivalent to repent.

I thought to repent meant to not only regret an action, but to turn from it and to encourage others who might ask to do the same.

If you're merely analyzing, you can still be completely wrong in your analysis.. right? (and people have this incredibly, almost limitless capacity for rationalizing things anyway.)

[veronica]

And maybe you should not be so huffy:: Pope Offers Apology For Sexual Abuse, 23 countries report incidents by priests

[veronica]

I think he wasa referring to a set of people that spend there lives worshipping and prostrating themselves to God with no belief that there is any more after this. What would be the point of worshiping to have sins forgiven if there are no penalties in the next life?

How much better to be a good person, NOW, here, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do.

Do you need to be bribed with goodies for later, to behave now?

Don't the Islamists become martyrs to ensure a happy afterlife?

I can just imagine what this thread will turn into. Carrying on just because some other folks have a different set of beliefs.

[SauronOfMordor]

"When the Jews questioned Christ concerning the afterlife, he pointed to the old testament (their scripture) and asked them why the prophets would speak of the God of Abraham and others if Abraham did not STILL exist (paraprhase)."

Where can I find that?

The Gospel According to Saint Matthew:

2:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

[sirchtruth]

Right. But I am referring specifically to the one's that claimed to have witnesses Christ's acts. I don't know of many ppl who would make something up and then go die for it.

Joan of Arc never witnessed, but believed... Oh, the insanity of it all!

[AsYouAre]

The Hebrew Scriptures are completely silent on the idea of an afterlife... Old Testament Scripture supporting the afterlife: Daniel 12:1-2 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. BTW, this OT passage also supports the resurrection of the dead.

[William Terrell]

'J-sus'

Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

[AsYouAre]

The Hebrew Scriptures are completely silent on the idea of an afterlife...

Old Testament Scripture supporting the afterlife:

Daniel 12:1-2
1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

BTW, this OT passage also supports the resurrection of the dead.

[MadIvan]

It may be a good thing that Judiaism (and Christianity for that matter) is not so focused on the afterlife. Islam talks endlessly about it and look at the results - it has created a culture of death, in which kids blow themselves up with abandon.

Regards, Ivan

FreeBritannia.co.uk

[elfman2]

"I think he was referring to a set of people that spend there lives worshipping and prostrating themselves to God with no belief that there is any more after this "

The article's regarding Jews. I think that most of them is what he was referring to.

I'm glad that your beliefs give your life meaning. So do mine. Personally, I think that we live on in the events that we set in place and in the hearts and minds of the lives that we've touched and all that they touch and so on…. That motivates me to do what's right.

[Patria One]

Of course, by tradition, training and observance.

[veronica]

It may be a good thing that Judiaism (and Christianity for that matter) is not so focused on the afterlife. Islam talks endlessly about it and look at the results.

Exactly my point.

[Patria One]

Thanks.

[veronica]

A sense of inner morality and goodness does not depend on the belief that you will be rewarded for it in the sense of the afterlife. It should be sought for it's own sake, while listening and heeding God's word and understanding what is expected.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

I can just imagine what this thread will turn into. Carrying on just because some other folks have a different set of beliefs.

Veronica, dear, keep in mind that all "arguement" is not mean-spirited. We can, as fellow freepers discuss our differences just for the sake of discussion. No need to declare winnners or loosers in the end or harbor hard feelings.

Personally I believe with all my heart and soul in the living God and in Salvation (afterlife) through Jesus Christ. But at the same time, I do enjoy hearing what others believe and why.

[gaspar]

In the Old Testament the existence of heaven is noted in Genesis, Exodus, Dueteronomy, Kings, Chronicles, Isaiah, Psalms, Ezra, Job, etc. Check a good Concordance to verify.

[gaspar]

In the Old Testament the existence of heaven is noted in Genesis, Exodus, Dueteronomy, Kings, Chronicles, Isaiah, Psalms, Ezra, Job, etc. Check a good Concordance to verify.

[Physicist]

Does the above mean that you were using "irony" or Pascal was?

I was using irony. The claims a religion makes about heaven or hell are totally irrelevant to whether it should be believed or not. Pascal's Wager is one of the most foolish arguments ever presented.