I understand that, but if someone says they are “Jewish by birth and nonbeliever by belief,” I would think they would be in the ethnic group but not the religion, as opposed to someone who does also practice the religion.
That makes sense, personally I would consider nonbeliever to be only people who don’t follow any religion, but I can see how it is more up to interpretation.
It wasn’t until my late 20s that I learned how “relaxed” Judaism could be. I hadn’t thought you could be part of a religion yet a nonbeliever at the same time.
It’s worth noting that one can be Jewish and a nonbeliever at the same time.
How is that possible?
You are jewish by birth and a believer by faith.
Wouldn’t that be an ethnicity then, and not a religious identity?
It’s both.
I understand that, but if someone says they are “Jewish by birth and nonbeliever by belief,” I would think they would be in the ethnic group but not the religion, as opposed to someone who does also practice the religion.
The confusing part is, being part of the religion doesn’t necessarily mean you believe in God. Especially in the liberal denominations.
That makes sense, personally I would consider nonbeliever to be only people who don’t follow any religion, but I can see how it is more up to interpretation.
It wasn’t until my late 20s that I learned how “relaxed” Judaism could be. I hadn’t thought you could be part of a religion yet a nonbeliever at the same time.
There are atheists and theists at my temple. Many people come just to be part of the culture.
That’s pretty cool tbh