Philosophy
A twist today on the old chestnut, what is the difference between being religious and being spiritual. Can an atheist be either? I was best man a few years back for a dear friend who got married by an atheist rabbi. He was a working rabbi, conducted services and performed rituals. He considered himself deeply Jewish, he just didn't believe in the existence of God. Could he, or someone like him, be conisdered religious or spiritual?
- Memorializing Jokes
Friends, Memorial Day is upon us and it always makes me think of my grandfather who fought in the 82nd Airborne in world War II. I used to spend a lot of time with him before he passed and the only thing I heard more than his war stories were his favorite...
- The First Amendment And The Ambiguity Of Marriage
Some marriages in Pennsylvania are being annulled. Not because of domestic strife, but because of over-zealous county clerks with political agendas. In 2004, Michelle and Marc planned to marry in Philadelphia and get their license in Bucks County - a...
- You Jews Sure Take Care Of The Help
Leave it to Jews to make the most important day of the year about guilt. The biggest holiday of the year is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. They call it a high holiday, but the point of it is to feel low. With the Jewish year just starting, it is a...
- Today I'm Proud To Be A Jew
So the central body of Conservative Judaism has moved to allow for gay rabbis and same-sex commitment ceremonies. Sure, reform and reconstructionist congregations have been on the morally right side of the line for years, but this bold move by the middle...
- Daniel Dennett - How To Tell If You're An Atheist
The human mind is both beautiful and frustrating. We have minds that can contemplate the meaning of infinity and consciousness, on the one hand, and we can be blind to what's right in front of us, we can lie to ourselves, we can simultaneously embrace...
Philosophy
Atheism, Religiocity, and Spiritualism
A twist today on the old chestnut, what is the difference between being religious and being spiritual. Can an atheist be either? I was best man a few years back for a dear friend who got married by an atheist rabbi. He was a working rabbi, conducted services and performed rituals. He considered himself deeply Jewish, he just didn't believe in the existence of God. Could he, or someone like him, be conisdered religious or spiritual?
- Memorializing Jokes
Friends, Memorial Day is upon us and it always makes me think of my grandfather who fought in the 82nd Airborne in world War II. I used to spend a lot of time with him before he passed and the only thing I heard more than his war stories were his favorite...
- The First Amendment And The Ambiguity Of Marriage
Some marriages in Pennsylvania are being annulled. Not because of domestic strife, but because of over-zealous county clerks with political agendas. In 2004, Michelle and Marc planned to marry in Philadelphia and get their license in Bucks County - a...
- You Jews Sure Take Care Of The Help
Leave it to Jews to make the most important day of the year about guilt. The biggest holiday of the year is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. They call it a high holiday, but the point of it is to feel low. With the Jewish year just starting, it is a...
- Today I'm Proud To Be A Jew
So the central body of Conservative Judaism has moved to allow for gay rabbis and same-sex commitment ceremonies. Sure, reform and reconstructionist congregations have been on the morally right side of the line for years, but this bold move by the middle...
- Daniel Dennett - How To Tell If You're An Atheist
The human mind is both beautiful and frustrating. We have minds that can contemplate the meaning of infinity and consciousness, on the one hand, and we can be blind to what's right in front of us, we can lie to ourselves, we can simultaneously embrace...