tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post115143789992165545..comments2024-01-24T04:59:45.518-05:00Comments on Jewish Atheist: For Shame, Gil StudentJewish Atheisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-56718371499365191412007-07-23T18:14:00.000-04:002007-07-23T18:14:00.000-04:00Gil banned me years ago. Why? Because I quoted Tal...Gil banned me years ago. Why? Because I quoted Talmud Yerushalmi Shabbat 1:4 verbatim.<BR/><BR/>In brief, it says beit shammai took over the academy by force, killed members of beit hillel and held the rest of beit hillel hostage. Then it forced the academy to vote in 18 gezerot (mostly against interactions with non-Jews). The Yerushalmi calls this the darkest day in the history of the Jewish people since the making of the golden calf.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, Gil deleted the comment and banned me for leaving it.<BR/><BR/>Gil is an apologist. He can't win if he allows free and open debate. So he censors, often without telling his readers.<BR/><BR/>Nothing new there. Too bad he deleted your comments, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1152297147898195792006-07-07T14:32:00.000-04:002006-07-07T14:32:00.000-04:00It is hunorous to see all of the skeptics that cla...It is hunorous to see all of the skeptics that claim the believers run from debate slinging ad hominym attacks and name calling. <BR/><BR/>Kettle? Por? Looks like the same thing to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151997674971505272006-07-04T03:21:00.000-04:002006-07-04T03:21:00.000-04:00I came, I argued, I left. Nothing to see there JP...I came, I argued, I left. Nothing to see there JP.Juggling Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711012401065605739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151932757346424492006-07-03T09:19:00.000-04:002006-07-03T09:19:00.000-04:00My arguments are unassailable.My arguments are unassailable.jewish philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987540457195983665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151841140079650272006-07-02T07:52:00.000-04:002006-07-02T07:52:00.000-04:00B.E.A.J. - thankyou for your personal explanation ...B.E.A.J. - thankyou for your personal explanation on how you interpret the meaning of the word jew. <BR/><BR/>I am looking forward to a time when the science of genetics will reach the level where human genes can be studied outside of the context of cultural or religious identity. <BR/><BR/>I am well aware that the contemplation of eugenics brings with it particular risks but none greater than the risks human groups have been exposed to so far historically.<BR/><BR/>The "Jewish" gene pool, without a doubt will supply the future humanity with a wealth of beneficial genetic material. <BR/><BR/>The harvest though will only be realised when humankind break free of the bondage of economics. That is, when people cease to be attracted to each other and consequently procreate due to the influence of economic factors. With economics driving the primary motive, biological aethsetics take a secondary consideration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151761912321060262006-07-01T09:51:00.000-04:002006-07-01T09:51:00.000-04:00JP, you are a farce. I've never seen a blogger wh...JP, you are a farce. I've never seen a blogger who constantly gets trounced so much in the blogosphere as you do.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure if you are bright enough to know how badly your thoughts and musings have been slaughtered.Baconeaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11134934827966299989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151695634565980132006-06-30T15:27:00.000-04:002006-06-30T15:27:00.000-04:00juggling,No one will care what you have to say unl...juggling,<BR/><BR/>No one will care what you have to say unless you have a provactive moniker/title or you live in NYC. I have gotten used to that. You will, too. <BR/><BR/>If you change the name of your blog to anything that offends people, you will be guaranteed a huge following. That was my mistake when I began blogging. <BR/><BR/>Kol TuvShlomo Leib Aronovitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10407211641091145197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151681717146886732006-06-30T11:35:00.000-04:002006-06-30T11:35:00.000-04:00I'll jump in here to muddy the waters a bit more f...I'll jump in here to muddy the waters a bit more for Anon, if thats ok.<BR/><BR/>The definition of a "jew" is a personal one. Often it is based around a belief system, but there are many many people who call themselves Jewish atheists. I personally feel that a Christian in a similar position would proably call themselves a "fallen" christian.<BR/><BR/>I wrote a piece about my lack of jewishness a couple of weeks ago. However I don't get the readers that JA does, so nobody cared:-)<BR/><BR/>BTW, in the beginning Hitler was quite happy to allow jews to covert to Christianity, get themselves baptised & join a church. I know a number of people who did so, then promptly scarpered out of Germany. <BR/><BR/>JP - the reason so few skeptics post on your blog is probably they don't come looking. personally rarely visit religious blogs because what's the point? If they are discussing the various points of their religion or the bible what right or interest have I got in commentating? <BR/><BR/>I do visit a number of blogs written by religious people. They don't exclusively write about religion though:-) I shall be sure to check out your blog 7 leave some skeptical coments asap tho;-)Juggling Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02711012401065605739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151674628678025052006-06-30T09:37:00.000-04:002006-06-30T09:37:00.000-04:00I’m also not anonymous. Can it so few bacon eaters...I’m also not anonymous. Can it so few bacon eaters and other infidels post on my blog because they know I’ll make them look like fools? Just wondering. ;-)jewish philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987540457195983665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151592418140003822006-06-29T10:46:00.000-04:002006-06-29T10:46:00.000-04:00Ben Avuyah:But one word in his defense...he is not...Ben Avuyah:<BR/><BR/><I>But one word in his defense...he is not an anonymous blogger, that's his real name, he doesn't have the luxury other skeptics living in the orthodox community have, of making their arguments with the certainty of lack of any real life reprecussions. I don't know if he is a pulpit Rabbi or not, but I imagine he would have what to lose if his blog became a succesful forum for skeptical viewpoints.</I><BR/><BR/>That's a good point.Jewish Atheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151592100296945082006-06-29T10:41:00.000-04:002006-06-29T10:41:00.000-04:00Serendipity,Judaism wasn't always so particular. B...Serendipity,<BR/><BR/>Judaism wasn't always so particular. Before the Rabbis showed up circa 400 BC, Jewish men married whom they pleased and almost anyone was welcome to join the club. Now, even lifetime members have to 'prove' themselves. <BR/><BR/>Growing up in Brooklyn amongst Chasidim really shows you how bad it has become. The Lubavitchers, for example, would say that the Satmar weren't even Jews at all. I would ask them how they knew that to be true and the answer would never come. It makes me sick. <BR/><BR/>To illustrate the previous point is easy enough. Consider the rate of assimiliation and intermarriage, even back in Europe, and how many people who thought themselves gentiles discover a Jewish grandmother or great-grandmother among their maternal ancestors. Suddenly, they enter a yahoo chatroom, share that meaningless information, and someone says "Hey. That means you're Jewish!" <BR/><BR/>What is really implied is that WE think you are Jewish, not that you have even had such a thought yourself beforehand.Shlomo Leib Aronovitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10407211641091145197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151585462421929552006-06-29T08:51:00.000-04:002006-06-29T08:51:00.000-04:00I also find it cowardly that the Good Rabbi stops ...I also find it cowardly that the Good Rabbi stops his comments section as soon as the skeptics agruments build momentum and reach a pitch that threatens his ideals. <BR/><BR/>But one word in his defense...he is not an anonymous blogger, that's his real name, he doesn't have the luxury other skeptics living in the orthodox community have, of making their arguments with the certainty of lack of any real life reprecussions. I don't know if he is a pulpit Rabbi or not, but I imagine he would have what to lose if his blog became a succesful forum for skeptical viewpoints.Ben Avuyahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08814145983874592449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151582359815086272006-06-29T07:59:00.000-04:002006-06-29T07:59:00.000-04:00Anon, it is accepted that most of the world consid...Anon, it is accepted that most of the world considers me to be a Jew, much like I would consider a person who was brought up by two Catholic parents an ethnic Catholic, even though that is not exactly right.<BR/>The reason I bring up Hitler is that if it wasn't for anti-semitism I probably wouldn't acknowledge myself as being a Jew so much.<BR/>The reason to me Israel exists is as a final refuge for Jews like me in case anti-semitism gets really ugly anywhere in the world at anytime.<BR/>Last year, Israel's existence was justified when a couple of thousand Jews from France said "I don't need this anti-semitism crap, I'm going to Israel"<BR/>Nobody questioned how many of the French Jews believed in God, or to what degree. All that matters is that their mothers were Jews.<BR/>A few months back I remember seeing a story about a soccer player who got anti-semitic taunts because he has a Jewish sounding last name.....he was not even an ethnic Jew. Anti-semites don't care if a Jew believes or not.Baconeaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11134934827966299989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151574498435288332006-06-29T05:48:00.000-04:002006-06-29T05:48:00.000-04:00SL Aronovitz said... I don't think that's all ther...SL Aronovitz said... <BR/><BR/>I don't think that's all there is to it. Apparently, you have to look either European or Middle Eastern or you have to have papers in triplecate to be believed as Jew. After you've shown papers, you've probably have to endure several enterrogation on how you exactly became a Jew since OMG, you're from Asia!Serendipityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04768099143490888666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151552296397025322006-06-28T23:38:00.000-04:002006-06-28T23:38:00.000-04:00Anonymous:I'll answer you. All definitions depend...Anonymous:<BR/><BR/>I'll answer you. All definitions depend on the definers. I define myself as Jewish because I had two Jewish parents and I see it as being something other than just a religious affiliation. It's not a race in the standard sense, in part because there are several genetically distinct groups of Jews as well as because of the issue you mention. (Although this is probably true of most "races" as well. "Race" isn't a well-defined term, either. Are Filipinos the same race as Chinese? How about Ethiopians and African-Americans of West-African descent?) <BR/><BR/>There's no single Jewish culture, either, but for whatever reason, I continue to feel Jewish. Orthodox Jews tend to define a Jew as a person who had a Jewish mother, while Reform Jews allow those who had just a Jewish father as well.<BR/><BR/>As I said, it depends who you ask. Since I'm asking myself, I say I'm Jewish. And I'm an atheist simply because I don't believe in God.Jewish Atheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151547666894793852006-06-28T22:21:00.000-04:002006-06-28T22:21:00.000-04:00Anon, A Jew is someone whose parents tell him that...Anon, <BR/><BR/>A Jew is someone whose parents tell him that he is Jewish. If he wasn't told, he'd never know.Shlomo Leib Aronovitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10407211641091145197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151542496960246242006-06-28T20:54:00.000-04:002006-06-28T20:54:00.000-04:00Thankyou "bacon-eating athiest jew"I asked:"I am c...Thankyou "bacon-eating athiest jew"<BR/>I asked:<BR/>"I am confused. How can one be Jewish and an aethiest? Does being Jewish refer to race or religion?"<BR/>you answered:<BR/> "Anon, a Jew is a Jew by birth (ethnicity) and/or religion. When Hitler murdered Jews, he didn't ask if they believed in God or not, or how religious they were."<BR/><BR/>I did not ask you how Adolph Hitler interpreted the facticity of Jewishness. I want to know in the factual sense. If I ask what an apple is and you tell me that Newton thought they don't defy gravity, it doesn't help me much.<BR/><BR/>Also regarding the "Jewish question" why does the name Hitler always have to be introduced as a way of concluding inquiry or debate?<BR/>I simply want you to explain what a Jew is! Religious or Racial. If as you say it can be either, then is not the correct classifier "Semite" which includes Arabs?<BR/>You also wrote:"Back to your post. I've stopped commenting on religious blogs, because they just can't handle it."<BR/>Huh?? Don't understand. What religious blogs? Who can't handle it? I just want to understand what a Jew is. Surely one is afraid of and hates what one doesn't know or is able to identify. If every time one tries to focus upon the entity known as "Jew" to look upon its form and examine it, we are hit with "Hitler...Hitler...boo!..people like YOU...blah blah blah" how are we able to know the fact?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151530742019872252006-06-28T17:39:00.000-04:002006-06-28T17:39:00.000-04:00I went to JP's blog again. Shoot me.I refuse to d...I went to JP's blog again. Shoot me.<BR/><BR/>I refuse to dumb myself down anymore.Baconeaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11134934827966299989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151523124074667252006-06-28T15:32:00.000-04:002006-06-28T15:32:00.000-04:00I agree. When you reach a point at which you canno...I agree. When you reach a point at which you cannot support your beliefs you have a few options. You can opt for saying that your belief stems from faith, you can limit the discussion to those who agree with you or you can change your mind.<BR/><BR/>It is healthy to challenge yourself.Jack Steinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16625864271071630940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151522443411249972006-06-28T15:20:00.000-04:002006-06-28T15:20:00.000-04:00Very interesting, aronovitz. Obviously can't answe...Very interesting, aronovitz. Obviously can't answer my arguments and you feel very threatened by them. Good.jewish philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987540457195983665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151521870980317492006-06-28T15:11:00.000-04:002006-06-28T15:11:00.000-04:00As far as religious retards go, the Jewish 'Philos...As far as religious retards go, the Jewish 'Philosopher' is king amongst them. It's almost like the city of Chelm started their own Kiruv movement and Smicha program.Shlomo Leib Aronovitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10407211641091145197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151516962630802312006-06-28T13:49:00.000-04:002006-06-28T13:49:00.000-04:00And I also once had to delete a bunch of comments ...And I also once had to delete a bunch of comments from a muscle-bound dominatrix from Las Vegas who claimed (probably falsely) that former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett was one of her "subs."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151516831392575792006-06-28T13:47:00.000-04:002006-06-28T13:47:00.000-04:00I only delete comments if one commenter has person...I only delete comments if one commenter has personally insulted another or myself.<BR/><BR/>And of course spams.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151512246424549672006-06-28T12:30:00.000-04:002006-06-28T12:30:00.000-04:00Random:Sorry JA - although I quoted that paragraph...Random:<BR/><BR/><I>Sorry JA - although I quoted that paragraph, I at least as much had in mind the following one (the "religious ideas flourish primarily in forums where dissent is limited" one).</I><BR/><BR/>Then I will admit I overstepped with "primarily." :-)Jewish Atheisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-1151501844001655672006-06-28T09:37:00.000-04:002006-06-28T09:37:00.000-04:00I stopped reading R'Gil's blog when I noticed that...I stopped reading R'Gil's blog when I noticed that he does this. In that case, he actually deleted a short list of references that someone had posted to support their argument. Sheesh. It's like he's running his own little Inquisition there. Anyway, now I read R'Harry instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com