Sunday, January 14, 2007

Daily interaction with religion

Recently, and I were discussing religion, and I mentioned that Judaism is constantly in one's life: one has to keep kosher was the example I gave (although there are so many more, the laws of niddah (not touching those who are in an "impure" state), daily Torah study, etc.). I also mentioned that these laws have an effect, intended or not, of keeping Jews separate from non-Jews. He said that Mormonism, on the other hand, doesn't really have anything that would really separate him, or try to separate him from others. After some thinking about this, and recognizing that I am NOT attacking either religion, or saying one is better than the other, does it make sense (to us humans) to have our religion constantly "in the way"? To a point, having laws that cover every situation, and that dictate the correct reaction to all situations, would be very stifling (well, there IS a reason I'm not an Orthodox Jew). But would I want Judaism to be something that I don't think of on a daily basis (OK, there are certainly days when I just chug through the day and so it really doesn't bubble up into my conscious much..)? If I were to take out kashrut (keeping kosher of some form) and all of the other parts of Judaism that are observed daily, and are rather visible, would it matter? Would it still be Judaism? Would it be as good for me (would it benefit me to the same extent, either spiritually or in other ways)? How would having a Mormonism that had more rules, or that was more public, more obvious change things? (Hey, we've already cornered the market on kippot/yarmulkes, but maybe y'all can wear head bands, or the same ring, or dye your hair green, or something. :) Also what was interesting to me is that Mormonism is apparently the only Christian church that is NOT "one-true-way"ish. Of course they think their way is the most direct. But that they don't think that other ways are false (well, i'm sure some are from their POV), but that not all are automatically false, that is kinda cool. Maybe Christianity is maturing (we older religions don't seem to have this problem, but the younger ones generally do, at least that's how I see it). Not to imply that Christianity is immature! Just that it's aging, mellowing, getting to know the neighbors and seeing that we all share more than one might think. Hmm... I definitely see that I'm going to be looking at my own religion more now that I'm interacting with someone from another faith, who has no problem (so far!) discussing religion with me. Which is probably a good thing.

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