DGS49
Diamond Member
While I have read the Torah and some commentaries, I have only a passing understanding of jewish beliefs. I also have the distinct impression that there is a very broad range of beliefs within judaism about very basic issues. Hell, some jews admit to being atheists and agnostics.
But it is my distinct understanding that judaism has no formalized or universal belief in an afterlife, and individual jews have beliefs that are "all over the lot," on that subject. Some believe that dead is dead...done and gone. Others have varying different beliefs about conditions in the hereafter, who will end up there, and so on. Dennis Prager bases his belief on a belief that God is "just." If that is the case, the a virtuous life will be rewarded in the afterlife and an evil life will be punished - if only with oblivion. Indeed, if God is just, then there MUST be a "balancing" in the afterlife because many virtuous people die penniless and wretched, and any evil people die in the lap of luxury, so to speak.
But the more important question is how the lack of a "pie in the sky" impacts the day to day decisions of jews in how to conduct their affairs. If there is no accountability, then the Torah can speak of moral and ethical behavior, and emphasize it, but there are (obviously) no ramifications for most people. This is clearly observable in life.
Christians are encouraged to "love" everyone, especially their "enemies," and Christian charities thrive all over the world, educating, feeding, housing, and providing medical care to people who may or may not believe anything that Christianity teaches. Most Christians believe that these good works will impact how they live out "eternity," so to speak.
Jewish charities tend to benefit exclusively jews (correct me if I'm wrong). Are there any avowedly Muslim charities. Bhuddist charities, etc.? I don't know.
There is a perception abroad - maybe it's just bigotry - that jews tend to (a) be entrepreneurial - which is understandable, and (b) they tend to lean toward businesses that exploit the exploitable...pawn shops, check cashing businesses, jewelry stores, slum apartment buildings, flashy clothing stores in "urban" neighborhoods, and so on. These are things that "Christians" tend to shy away from, as they are unseemly.
So again, how does the lack of a Pie in the Sky affect the everyday decision making of "good jews"? Or does it? I have never seen any study that explored the moral or ethical behavior of different religious groups. Does such a study exist?
But it is my distinct understanding that judaism has no formalized or universal belief in an afterlife, and individual jews have beliefs that are "all over the lot," on that subject. Some believe that dead is dead...done and gone. Others have varying different beliefs about conditions in the hereafter, who will end up there, and so on. Dennis Prager bases his belief on a belief that God is "just." If that is the case, the a virtuous life will be rewarded in the afterlife and an evil life will be punished - if only with oblivion. Indeed, if God is just, then there MUST be a "balancing" in the afterlife because many virtuous people die penniless and wretched, and any evil people die in the lap of luxury, so to speak.
But the more important question is how the lack of a "pie in the sky" impacts the day to day decisions of jews in how to conduct their affairs. If there is no accountability, then the Torah can speak of moral and ethical behavior, and emphasize it, but there are (obviously) no ramifications for most people. This is clearly observable in life.
Christians are encouraged to "love" everyone, especially their "enemies," and Christian charities thrive all over the world, educating, feeding, housing, and providing medical care to people who may or may not believe anything that Christianity teaches. Most Christians believe that these good works will impact how they live out "eternity," so to speak.
Jewish charities tend to benefit exclusively jews (correct me if I'm wrong). Are there any avowedly Muslim charities. Bhuddist charities, etc.? I don't know.
There is a perception abroad - maybe it's just bigotry - that jews tend to (a) be entrepreneurial - which is understandable, and (b) they tend to lean toward businesses that exploit the exploitable...pawn shops, check cashing businesses, jewelry stores, slum apartment buildings, flashy clothing stores in "urban" neighborhoods, and so on. These are things that "Christians" tend to shy away from, as they are unseemly.
So again, how does the lack of a Pie in the Sky affect the everyday decision making of "good jews"? Or does it? I have never seen any study that explored the moral or ethical behavior of different religious groups. Does such a study exist?