The Rational Jew

Former Orthodox Jew turned rational thinker. Reality FTW.

[jewishatheist]

This is how I lost my faith: Science helped, yes — but finally I accepted the holy texts were written by man

I thought religion and sacred texts held absolute truth handed down from God. I was so powerfully wrong

Good piece by Shulem Deen.

[rationaljew]

This is good stuff.

[rationaljew]

It's sickening to think how many people suffered one of these horrible and grotesque forms of torture (mostly at the hands of Religion).

[rationaljew]

Lately my mom has been looking for subtle, back-door ways to challenge my atheism without confronting me directly. For example, today she posted this link on Facebook. This video is worthy of a good laugh. It's basically one long God of the Gaps argument...and a pretty poor one at that. This video is meant for people like my mom. It's meant to reinforce the beliefs of religious people with little knowledge of the actual science (and its implications). It feels right to them because of the fact it uses science (or at least pretends to). In fact, these videos ONLY work on people who don't understand science, its method, or its purpose, which is why the actual scientists studying these fields come to far different conclusions than does this host. On top of that, even if everything in this video 100% proved there was a God, which God would it prove? It proved deism just as much as theism. Any theist would use this to support their own idea of God.

[rationaljew]

I went here. Probably not how they wanted me to turn out. Glad I did not get completely brainwashed there. I mostly practiced guitar, played basketball, drank, and chilled. Hated most of the rabbis. Made some cool friends, but that was about it. Left for Passover and didn't go back. Anyone else go to Israel after high school?

[rationaljew]

[rationaljew]

Cause, y'know, we're like holly 'n shit.

[rationaljew]

One of the things I despise about Orthodox Judaism (and many other religions) is the practice of making 100% normal behaviors into taboos that make one feel guilty, ashamed, and full of sin. It's a sick thing to teach teenaged boys their souls will be cut off forever if they jerk off.

[rationaljew]

My mom sent me this Aish article...

http://www.aish.com/sp/ph/The-Atheist-Crusade.html?s=app

Don't you love it when your parents try and send you dumb shit that they think will change your mind but really it just makes them look more ignorant. I was going to respond to her with a full critique, but I resisted the temptation for the sake of peace.

My response:

"I read it and I think it’s safe to say that anything on Aish is completely biased and misrepresents the arguments and ideas they think they are quoting. There are dozens of articles/reviews on the other side that dismantle (in detail) the authors and books that Aish references that support their ideas. I actually read some of The God Delusion but I stopped half way through because I thought it was boring and irrelevant as it mostly talks about Christianity - and it’s purpose is clearly to get a rise out of people and does not have a lot of substance. Aish is trying to go after the low hanging fruit on the opposition instead of tackling more detailed, sophisticated, and in-depth critiques on Judaism and religion in general.

I’ll leave it at that :)"

[rationaljew]

Sorry but shidduch dating is just a form of sexual selection. #EvolutionFTW

[rationaljew]

Critical Thinking Academy

I've been listening to the podcast and it's good stuff. 1.5x speed an you'll fly through it: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-critical-thinker-academy/id379190509?mt=2

[rationaljew]

Can science prove the existence of God?

What it means if there’s no life anywhere else in the Universe, and what we know so far.

A GREAT read!

[rationaljew]

Do all algorithms have some level of "intelligence?"

#ThingsIWonderWhenImHigh

[rationaljew]

How on earth do some people post to tumblr so often? It truly makes me feel like I suck at this…

[whats-out-there]

Under the pressure of reality, we become credulous. We seek reassuring certainties…Our critical faculties break down under the onslaught of promises and hopes offered to assuage life’s great anxieties. Wouldn’t it be marvelous if we did not really die? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could speak with our lost loved ones again? Of course it would. Skeptics are no different from believers when it comes to such desires. This is an ancient human drive. In a world where one’s life was as uncertain as the next meal, our ancestors all over the globe developed beliefs in an afterlife and spirit world. So when we are vulnerable and afraid, the provider of hope has only to make the promise of an afterlife and offer the flimsiest of proofs. Human credulity will do the rest.

Michael Shermer (via whats-out-there)

[rationaljew]

Mazal Tov

So my 20 year old Chassidic brother got engaged to a girl he dated three times because that's what the Rebbe told him to do. Two of the dates were on the same day. When my wife asked him how they will support themselves he replied "usually the wife works for 5-10 years while the husband learns, then he gets a fake degree somewhere and finds a job. Whatever, my rebbe said it always works out." It's crazy how many young people are misled (lied to?) by their Rebbeim about the realities of marriage and life, setting up so many for lives of misery and stress. For example, did the rebbe tell my brother that during the 5-10 years the wife works she will also be cranking out babies every 20 months and he will not permit them to use birth control? And how exactly does this "fake degree" thing work? Did he say on average how many people with said degrees find jobs and what the average wage is for Fake Degree holders? He certainly didn't cover the cost of living and cheder, even living at a bare minimum. And the part about it "always working out" is the biggest lie of all. I have a few friends who are mental health professionals in the frum community and see many families in shambles who were also once told it always works out. And those are just the ones who seek help. The rebbe has to know this. One of the biggest problems with any religion, but particularly Judaism is the power and sway religious leaders have over their flock. It's often unjustified and selfishly abused.

[rationaljew]

oh you left orthodoxy??.. can i take your place now :-) love your blog, peace

You have fun with that.