As usual, nicely said, Stu. In a way it's going to be a pity when the strike is settled and you get back to overwork and aren't able to post as much here. But we'll have new episodes of PD to comfort us. :-)
--- In [email protected], "Stu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > There is an irony to this discussion. Judaism and Hindism have > similarity in that they are ethnic religions. Both emphasis the passing > of the religion from generation to generation. The caste system and the > 10 tribes both support a mechanism for priestly continuation. And they > both suppress conversion into the religion. Interestingly, it was the > reform of Buddhism and xtianity that liberated the caste/tribal limits > and promoted conversion from these two ethnic religions. Judaism and > Hinduism share characteristics of ethnocentrism. > > MMY as a charismatic leader knew this when he traveled West. He > understood he would not convert new Hindus into a new world religion, > this would go against edicts of Hinduism. He was very careful to couch > his rhetoric about yoga as a practice devoid of Hinduism. He was > equally careful to avoid discussions of god as well, preferring to use > neutral scientific terms to describe the effects of TM. > > In the 50's MMY talked about Hindu concepts to largely Hindu audiences. > Later, when MMY did discuss a specific Hindu basis for TM it was in > response to western followers who were looking for a deeper spiritual > understanding to the experiences they were having with TM. > > As a Jew, we have choices. We can take a very fundamental approach to > the religion. In that case it is a closed club. No eating at the > neighbors house lest we are exposed to a dangerous cheese burger. Like > other fundamental religions any gander outside the faith is met with > disapproval. To me this tunnel vision medieval approach to one's > religion is outmoded. Its a clinging to a regressive social model long > out of style with the world of Kings and Priests running the village. > > Or you may want to reformulate Judaism for the modern era. Maybe even > start with the Jewish philosopher Spinoza who interpreted g-d more like > the concept of Brahman rather than the patriarchal old man in the sky. > It may even be possible to reconcile the wonderful benefits of adding a > meditation practice to your life and going to services on Saturday > without inciting a theological meltdown. > > It would be impossible to follow all the nutty laws as required by the > OT. When a women has her period are you careful not sit where she has > sat? I don't think even the compulsive obsessives fundamentalists > living illegally in the West Bank today can follow these arcane and > random rules. > > Fred, why are you obsessing on this short phrase from the OT and the > remote possibility that a fantasy creature is going to respond to your > calling its name silently? Isn't it time to wake up? Isn't waking up > the goal? > > s. >
