Okay, just got out of a chat with a National Socialist. I must admit, a rather interesting worldview there....
I think if the day came that a National Socialist party came to power in America, I would do my best to leave the country, for it would be destroyed by itself...
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Quoting from BeliefNet:
davidhoward
1/29/04 3:17 PM 9 out of 10
Why convert?
Why not just be Jewish and forget about the conversion racket?
Most Jews will take your assertion that you are Jewish at face value. There are no Jewish police checking passports or circumcisions. Rabbis have no magical status as "converters." Their conversion rules are mutually contradictory among the different denominations, and in the worst cases, they make up the rules as they go along.
Save yourself a lot of aggravation. Find fellow-Jews who are welcoming and inclusive. There are plenty of them. The rabbinical validation is a sham and often a scam.
David
------------------
Indeed, from what I've read they (the Rabbis) don't have any authority to accept/deny converts. Exodus 12:61 (I *think*, I'd look it up but I'm on my lunch break and my chumash is at home) allows strangers who observe the passover to be with the Jews, and ruth certainly didn't ask 3 rabbis to join, she didn't even ask!
But it is kinda difficult, to just say starting today "I'm jewish now." Maybe I should see about making some ritual to help mark the changing point... Dunno. Guess I hafta think about it. No one really goes around checking that jews really are jews, and certainly I'd be put in a camp if I lived in germany around WW II.
davidhoward
1/29/04 3:17 PM 9 out of 10
Why convert?
Why not just be Jewish and forget about the conversion racket?
Most Jews will take your assertion that you are Jewish at face value. There are no Jewish police checking passports or circumcisions. Rabbis have no magical status as "converters." Their conversion rules are mutually contradictory among the different denominations, and in the worst cases, they make up the rules as they go along.
Save yourself a lot of aggravation. Find fellow-Jews who are welcoming and inclusive. There are plenty of them. The rabbinical validation is a sham and often a scam.
David
------------------
Indeed, from what I've read they (the Rabbis) don't have any authority to accept/deny converts. Exodus 12:61 (I *think*, I'd look it up but I'm on my lunch break and my chumash is at home) allows strangers who observe the passover to be with the Jews, and ruth certainly didn't ask 3 rabbis to join, she didn't even ask!
But it is kinda difficult, to just say starting today "I'm jewish now." Maybe I should see about making some ritual to help mark the changing point... Dunno. Guess I hafta think about it. No one really goes around checking that jews really are jews, and certainly I'd be put in a camp if I lived in germany around WW II.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Friday, January 23, 2004
Okay, here's something: my wife asked me, "Why would any sane person want to join a persecuted minority?" I might be missing a few words...
So, I've been thinking. I still can't come up with a great answer. Things like "because Jews have a good (religious) path, a sensible culture, have beliefs that don't require I drop all sensibility or common sense, and aren't a cult" resonate, but one could be a Muslim or Catholic and have much of that... So, I must ask myself, "What makes Judaism so important that I would be willing to be persecuted for it, or am I just interested in it while it's not really persecuted?" I live in America, and although I don't live in New York, still, no one goes around making anti-semetic jokes, at least, not in my presense... So, for me, the persecution thing isn't something I worry about too much, although I will admit when I wear a yarmulke I'm pretty constantly aware that I am broadcasting "here I am, shoot me now" (okay, okay, bad joke, mercedes lackey's fans will get it).
So, would I be willing to be jewish even if people were anti-semetic here? Hmmmmm.... I probably would have to do things privately, but in the end, I can't really answer it without actually being there, experiencing it. I also think that after my (hopefully eventual) conversion it wouldn't be a question, the answer would just be "of course".
So, even in this environment, why be jewish? One can do good works without being Jewish (although I don't see other religions, Islam, Catholicism, Wicca, requiring doing good works or having many detailed ways to make it "holy" or elevating it beyond just doing it because it's expected of you). One can eat special diets without being Jewish - Islam has restrictions that are very similar with Judaism here...
For me, I think it's a combination, of a culture that disdains materialism (which I see a being kin to idolatry), specifies many details of ways to do things but still allowing flexibility to "do things your way" while allowing beginners to "just do it" (by following the steps). It doesn't believe it's the "one true way", just a way. When I took the beliefnet quiz on which religion one should be, reform judaism and orthodox judaism were 100% and 98%, respectively. And I think I agree with that. It fits, at least pretty well. I'm still asocial, so it's hard for me to "reach out" to other people.
But just because the religion makes sense doesn't mean that I should join a persecuted people. Maybe I'll get inspiration from a Higher Source (if you're listening up there, could ya send that down soon? thanks!).
So, I've been thinking. I still can't come up with a great answer. Things like "because Jews have a good (religious) path, a sensible culture, have beliefs that don't require I drop all sensibility or common sense, and aren't a cult" resonate, but one could be a Muslim or Catholic and have much of that... So, I must ask myself, "What makes Judaism so important that I would be willing to be persecuted for it, or am I just interested in it while it's not really persecuted?" I live in America, and although I don't live in New York, still, no one goes around making anti-semetic jokes, at least, not in my presense... So, for me, the persecution thing isn't something I worry about too much, although I will admit when I wear a yarmulke I'm pretty constantly aware that I am broadcasting "here I am, shoot me now" (okay, okay, bad joke, mercedes lackey's fans will get it).
So, would I be willing to be jewish even if people were anti-semetic here? Hmmmmm.... I probably would have to do things privately, but in the end, I can't really answer it without actually being there, experiencing it. I also think that after my (hopefully eventual) conversion it wouldn't be a question, the answer would just be "of course".
So, even in this environment, why be jewish? One can do good works without being Jewish (although I don't see other religions, Islam, Catholicism, Wicca, requiring doing good works or having many detailed ways to make it "holy" or elevating it beyond just doing it because it's expected of you). One can eat special diets without being Jewish - Islam has restrictions that are very similar with Judaism here...
For me, I think it's a combination, of a culture that disdains materialism (which I see a being kin to idolatry), specifies many details of ways to do things but still allowing flexibility to "do things your way" while allowing beginners to "just do it" (by following the steps). It doesn't believe it's the "one true way", just a way. When I took the beliefnet quiz on which religion one should be, reform judaism and orthodox judaism were 100% and 98%, respectively. And I think I agree with that. It fits, at least pretty well. I'm still asocial, so it's hard for me to "reach out" to other people.
But just because the religion makes sense doesn't mean that I should join a persecuted people. Maybe I'll get inspiration from a Higher Source (if you're listening up there, could ya send that down soon? thanks!).
Well, I like Soy "Silk Milk" if it's chocolate.
What else? Busy at work, found out that the billing system needs to work by Thursday or the CEO will be pissed, boss hadn't told me that...
Liking chees-its. Bought a small plant for work, it was cheap and I decided to see if my thumb is still black.
Gonna go to Congregation Emanuel's Shabbat Unplugged. I like it. Alot. I really wish they'd come out with a CD of those songs - I'd have to get two - one for permanent backup in case of loss, and one for daily use (which would probably stay at work until I get a car with a CD player builtin).
Speaking of cars, looks like we may postpone getting a new car, wants to look at getting a condo/townhome/house, at which point I'd have to save up gobs of money so no new car. But I still love her.
What else? Busy at work, found out that the billing system needs to work by Thursday or the CEO will be pissed, boss hadn't told me that...
Liking chees-its. Bought a small plant for work, it was cheap and I decided to see if my thumb is still black.
Gonna go to Congregation Emanuel's Shabbat Unplugged. I like it. Alot. I really wish they'd come out with a CD of those songs - I'd have to get two - one for permanent backup in case of loss, and one for daily use (which would probably stay at work until I get a car with a CD player builtin).
Speaking of cars, looks like we may postpone getting a new car,
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
The car worked today. Finally. Oy, but I really hate this car. No, it's not the car, per se, since it's not (to my knowledge) sentient, but the emotional rollercoaster my reliance on it causes...
Got paid livejournal status today for 6 months, gave it to as well (wife person). I think I'll like it, although I prefer the old S1 theme style that I'm using right now (something to do with paper). The new S2 theme style engine seems altogether too complex, but we'll see.
It's cold outside (snowed today), my car's working again (seems it didn't like my tank of gas so the Service Engine Soon light was on continously - man I hate this car), and I get to go to the dentist Thursday. Man I'm happy!
Got paid livejournal status today for 6 months, gave it to
It's cold outside (snowed today), my car's working again (seems it didn't like my tank of gas so the Service Engine Soon light was on continously - man I hate this car), and I get to go to the dentist Thursday. Man I'm happy!
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Monday, January 12, 2004
So, we're moving. Gotta talk to the management tomorrow morning about the contract, we'll probably pay for next month to keep a good rental history and get the security deposit back (which will offset most of the rent next month at least).
In so many way I can't wait to be out of here. I'm willing to live with the inlaws just to get rid of this place. Hopefully the wife will stop having bad headaches - I think it might just be this place (and she has voiced this too).
I can close out the bills, save some money, and then we'll probably get an apartment. I'll look into getting a condo or a town home, but I'm not particularly optimistic. From what I've been reading, anywhere in Colorado is pretty expensive, even the boonies...
Hopefully Mandy moves back at the end of the year like she said she might. That would help the wife deal with stuff.
In so many way I can't wait to be out of here. I'm willing to live with the inlaws just to get rid of this place. Hopefully the wife will stop having bad headaches - I think it might just be this place (and she has voiced this too).
I can close out the bills, save some money, and then we'll probably get an apartment. I'll look into getting a condo or a town home, but I'm not particularly optimistic. From what I've been reading, anywhere in Colorado is pretty expensive, even the boonies...
Hopefully Mandy moves back at the end of the year like she said she might. That would help the wife deal with stuff.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Got a buzz cut! I think it looks good, but it definitely feels good. Got some work done today. Called comcast and xcel to close the accounts, except for the internet - we might "park" that account at mom's house while we're moved in with the inlaws...
I get my car back tomorrow, grandma's paying for it to be fixed (radiator's leaking, and I'm not taking my car back to Snow's automotive again, they just worked on it because of leaking and it got worse after leaving!).I hope I get the car so I can go to shul tomorrow night, maybe saturday.
This weekend we'll be packing our last boxes after I help mom's work move desks around.
I get my car back tomorrow, grandma's paying for it to be fixed (radiator's leaking, and I'm not taking my car back to Snow's automotive again, they just worked on it because of leaking and it got worse after leaving!).I hope I get the car so I can go to shul tomorrow night, maybe saturday.
This weekend we'll be packing our last boxes after I help mom's work move desks around.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Girl is tired. I love Girl. Girl is nice, she lets me sleep.
Okay, ok day today. My car barely started (it was, oh, 10 F or so). The car decided to behave, though, so for now I'll keep it. Mom thinks I should keep the car, but it's just a sinkhole. We'll see. Work was ok, not terribly productive although Dmitriy now gets to do some of the work that was assigned to me.
I think I'm going to finally start work on this idea I've been having: using Perl, Apache, and mod_perl to create an HTTP Mail protocol SERVER. Doing the protocol should be pretty easy - it's XML over WebDAV (why, I don't know). I don't know what kind of backend I want for the Information Store, though... or how I want to talk to that store. Maybe just some perl code to talk mbox and Maildir formats, and maybe I'll eventually throw in a POP3 -> HTTP Mail gateway and IMAP4-> HTTP Mail Gateway too. Maybe not.
Well, I'm off to bed, and sleep thereafter.
Okay, ok day today. My car barely started (it was, oh, 10 F or so). The car decided to behave, though, so for now I'll keep it. Mom thinks I should keep the car, but it's just a sinkhole. We'll see. Work was ok, not terribly productive although Dmitriy now gets to do some of the work that was assigned to me.
I think I'm going to finally start work on this idea I've been having: using Perl, Apache, and mod_perl to create an HTTP Mail protocol SERVER. Doing the protocol should be pretty easy - it's XML over WebDAV (why, I don't know). I don't know what kind of backend I want for the Information Store, though... or how I want to talk to that store. Maybe just some perl code to talk mbox and Maildir formats, and maybe I'll eventually throw in a POP3 -> HTTP Mail gateway and IMAP4-> HTTP Mail Gateway too. Maybe not.
Well, I'm off to bed, and sleep thereafter.
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