Seperating history and religion

[C~Q]

This is quite jumbled up in my head atm and I apologise if I upset anyone with this post.

I'm Jewish but I don't know if I believe in god. I'm Jewish because my parents are and Jews are a race of people (as in, you can't just "decide" to become Jewish without converting). I struggle with any religion really, I struggle with there being one god and him making people live by certain rules which I personally find irrelavent (sp) to what I think faith should be about. For example - circumcision, not eating pig etc (again please don't think i'm belittling these things if you believe them, I would love to have that kind of faith).

But...I am proud of being a Jew and what they, as a race of people, have been through and achieved and I want my children to feel that too...but when they ask me about the religious side of things I don't know what to tell them.

I know that the things I am mostly proud of, the history is all part of the religion and I feel like I don't have the right be proud because I don't have that faith (does that make sense?). I mean, around 6million Jews were killed during WW2 - a lot of them because they refused to deny there beliefs and here's me saying 'i'm proud to be Jewish but I don't believe in god"

Is any of what i'm saying making sense? I'm just not sure how to pass on my childrens heritage to them without being a hypocrite...

Thanks for listening to my second rambly post of the evening

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Which parts of Jewishness are you proud of? Just a general "yup, that's my genetics"? Or in various achievements? Can you tell your children of the achievements attained by individuals, rather than with the help of God? (BTW, I'd say if it's in the holy texts, it's with the help of God.)

Is it the culture you like? Can you find the bagel bars or something like that? (Sorry if I sound a bit trite, not intended.) Can your children get to know the people, culture and music without the temple?

Good luck with whatever it is you want your children to learn about!

[Inanna]

Mmmm that's a loaded one & I want to answer but I haven't got the neurons working properly to do it!
I will BB tomorrow..

[C~Q]

Thanks Ryn, I think it's the history, the epic story that spans thousands of years, David, the Pyramids, Moses, having the holy land, not having the holy land...this enormous past that we are all part of...(and yes the food esp fish balls Mmmmm).

But even then thats all tied to the spiritual side, I mean i'd love to believe that Moses parted the Red Sea but erm...common sense tells me he didn't! Can I tell the kids the stories and let them make up their own minds? I just hate it when they ask me what I believe and I say I don't know...i'd like to give them guidence. I'm supposed to be the strong one they look to for answers

Thanks Innana, i'll look forward to your thoughts!!!

[Heaven]

Hmm.......difficult because as you said the history and stories all revolve around God.

Can I tell the kids the stories and let them make up their own minds?

Yep, I think that's a good idea.

[Inanna]

Mmm CQ just to throw it out there... I am not a Christian - however, do you really think that the sea couldn't be parted? That magic can't happen? That miracles that are unexplicable don't happen?

Just a thought....

[Bathsheba]

I think I know what you mean...

I'm a Christian but I agree that Jewish heritage has much to be proud of. For years i lived in Melbourne's Jewish 'heart-land' and my DD grew up surrounded by Orthodox Jews walking beside her in at the local shops etc. I was a bit in awe of them as a culture...and always wanted to know more about their traditions. My boss was a Jew too and she made lots of traditional foods... infact recently i tried to replicate a chicken ball soup that she once brought in one winter... it was delish! Maybe you know the name of this soup??? Anyhow.... totally off topic.... but (and I hope I don't offend)... I maybe would just try to relax into the issue a bit. You don't really have to have all the answers immediately... maybe live as you would like your children to live; open-minded to the possibilities. I don't think, and this is JUST my opinion... I don't think you have to say that you don't believe in God. However, if i was in your position I would alternatively convey that you are open to the idea of God (if this is in line with your thoughts). Kids don't need black and white answers... even older ones.... and I find that they can relate to uncertainty quite well. I think more adults could learn from the child-like flexibility... in my faith it is encouraged for adults to maintain this quality.

My DH isn't a firm believer in God... but he manages to convey a strong curiosity with our children. He also finds the historical context of Christianity fascinating... but when it comes to feeling comfortable in church THAT is another thing. His parents wanted nothing to do with religion so kept him right away from churches... he didn't enter one until he was 21... and that was Saint Pauls Cathedral in London!!! He finds this upsetting... his discomfort. When his mother passed away he wanted to celebrate her life in the chapel during the service but all he felt was uncomfortable... hoping that he wouldn't embarrass himself by not knowing when to sit, stand, sing and pray... what do you do when you pray? Where do you look? Do you bow your head and close your eyes? or what? Now he is able to talk about his feelings... but for years the discomfort closed his mind to religion completely. It's for this reason... even though he doesn't completely believe in God... that he totally supports and encourages me taking our kids to church. He simply wants them to grow up knowing what to do. He can't prove whether God exists or not... but one thing he can do is allow them to make up their own minds by knowing the ropes enough to have a balanced perspective. You can't really dismiss something until you know what you are dismissing.

Anyhow this is just how we are dealing with the issue... I'm not prescribing it for you hope I haven't said anything to annoy or offend.