The Atheist Delusion?

Does G-d exist? Does this question make sense? Why do people ask this question?

At a personal level this question seems interesting. It is a wrestle with some thing that cannot be seen and touched. For most people, reality is that which can be easily conceptualized – and touching and seeing do that quickly.

So are you reincarnated after you die? Do you have a mind? Does the universe have edges? Was there a beginning?

There are so many questions a person can ask and can come up with some pretty interesting beliefs. Does that mean they are wrong? How can you prove it? Can you prove or disprove the existence of something you cannot observe?

An atheist does not believe G-d exists. That is fine.

As a matter of belief I cannot argue with that. I know people who believe G-d does not exist and those that believe G-d exists. I also have friends that do not know or sometimes believe and other times do not. That is their frame of reference into the world.

The delusion comes in believing so much on your point of view you project to the rest of the world thinking that they should take it on because it would make the world a better place. Saying that G-d or people who believe in G-d are the cause of all wars and strife is an oversimplification of the problem. Saying that there is no use for G-d or the god concept in the world is also misguided. Saying that believing in G-d is primitive and not logical is presumptuous.

Why am I happy that there is a god concept (regardless of whether I believe that G-d exists)?

  1. the Jewish community
  2. Judaism
  3. fabulous customs and traditions of Jews around the world
  4. Life cycle rituals
  5. the Torah, Talmud and responsa
  6. Jewish ethics and philosophy
  7. Jewish law
  8. Multiple religions and lenses to see the world
  9. Atheists   :>

G-d Concept

What is your concept of G-d?

Is G-d the all-powerful, all-knowing, untouchable of Concept 1 (where you stand on the outside in awe)? Or is G-d everything, everywhere, all encompassing in Concept 2 (where you stand within G-d and G-d within everyone)? Which do you migrate to? Both are Jewish concepts but they tend to frame the way you approach Jewish traditions.

Relationship with G-d

Inspired by a class with Rabbi Gold from something he learned from Rabbi Lawrence Kushner.

Blessings

Whoever derives benefit from this world without saying a blessing is regarded as if he steals from G-d … by Rabbi Chanina bar Pappa

This hurts. It is a very pointed statement. It seems so relevant.

What do you think? Do you say enough blessings? How many blessings do you say? How many are enough?  Do you feel like you are stealing from G-d?

Expectations

What are the expectations of you? Are they mostly internal? Are they external? By your spouse, friends, parents? By your work? By your community? Are they by G-d?

Do these expectations help you live to the best of your abilities?

What is the best you can be? Or are you asked to reach for the stars? What are the expectations put upon you?

Do expectations help you better yourself?

Like Rabbi Zusha asks: What is G-d going to ask you when you get to the gates of heaven? Why weren’t you like Moses or King David? Or why weren’t you more yourself?

Judaism recognizes you as an individual and I believe expects you to do all you can do as individual within the world which we live. Do you recognize what you have to offer? Do you do all that you can with what you have to offer?

- inpired by a Boston CJP adult learning class with Rabbi Samuelson