Controversial General Religion Thread
- Thread starter Luffy bin Dragon
- Start date
@Monkey D Theories I have a question for you - what made you wanna convert to Judaism? Having been born and raised in it, I’m always curious as to what inspires someone to join such a maligned and misaligned religion/culture…
At first it was something really dumb. Some of my best friends since high school are Jewish. One in particular was this woman who at the time I was deeply infatuated with. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get into the religion to grow closer to her.
But that was like 3 years ago. Ultimately I realized that the fixation I had on that woman was quite superficial and that I only cared so much about her because I was trying to find some way to give my life meaning. And that the meaning I get from my relationship to God is actually far greater than anything I gain or could gain from any one person.
Which is why nowadays I think I’m probably much more religious than the Jews I grew up with. I think the aspect of subjecting yourself to rules and a common identity with other people is deeply beneficial. Kashrut helps you be mindful of what you eat, Shabbat helps you be mindful of how you spend your time. Together this and the other mitzvah help forge a common identity that connects you with others in your community and perhaps even to God(however you define that).
I remember the first time I spent a night in an eruv and walked to Shul in the morning. Never in my life have I experienced that level of community before. it’s awesome to be able to walk down a street and say good shabbos to a bunch of different people doing the same thing as you. People nowadays just aren’t as connected. Same with kashrut, it forces Jews to all buy from the same places.
antisemitism is a thing that does scare me though. I’m kind of a paranoid person, so I don’t really like wearing a kippah in public if I’m not doing anything Jewish. But I do like wearing it at home. It helps you know “this is who I choose to be”, and I find that important.
But that was like 3 years ago. Ultimately I realized that the fixation I had on that woman was quite superficial and that I only cared so much about her because I was trying to find some way to give my life meaning. And that the meaning I get from my relationship to God is actually far greater than anything I gain or could gain from any one person.
Which is why nowadays I think I’m probably much more religious than the Jews I grew up with. I think the aspect of subjecting yourself to rules and a common identity with other people is deeply beneficial. Kashrut helps you be mindful of what you eat, Shabbat helps you be mindful of how you spend your time. Together this and the other mitzvah help forge a common identity that connects you with others in your community and perhaps even to God(however you define that).
I remember the first time I spent a night in an eruv and walked to Shul in the morning. Never in my life have I experienced that level of community before. it’s awesome to be able to walk down a street and say good shabbos to a bunch of different people doing the same thing as you. People nowadays just aren’t as connected. Same with kashrut, it forces Jews to all buy from the same places.
antisemitism is a thing that does scare me though. I’m kind of a paranoid person, so I don’t really like wearing a kippah in public if I’m not doing anything Jewish. But I do like wearing it at home. It helps you know “this is who I choose to be”, and I find that important.
Ahh, I should have known a woman was involved…but if it led you to this major revelation, fixating on her worked out for you! I have definitely noticed that converts are often much more zealous and dedicated to their adopted beliefs than those of us who have been Jewish our entire lives; I’m guessing that’s because y’all study it from the outside and are actively choosing to be part of it, whereas I’ve had it for my entire time on this planet so I feel it’s less pertinent for me to keep observing. Another thing I’ve seen a bunch is Jews (and Catholics who are spiritually similar) losing the faith after a while, probably related to the perceived fatigue I just mentioned…there’s absolutely merit in adhering to the laws and tenets of Kashrut/Shabbat/High Holidays etc. but a lot of people chafe under religious obligations and would rather give them up entirely. Still, like you said, the community really does support and protect their own (almost to a fault or their own detriment), so I’m glad you found your (my) people and are feeling more enlightened than before 