A rabbi once told me, it is an American idea that all people are born with equal opportunity, is this true?

Question

Is it possible that people can be defined by the way they are born, that all people do not have equal potential. From a religious perspective the rabbi was suggesting that people inherit characteristics from thier parents.

This does not mean that there is no longer a responsibility to treat others in a righteous manner. It is simply a question if we make a mistake in thinking that all people are born with the same spiritual potential. Do animals have the same spiritual essense as humans? most people would say no....so should we assume all people do just because they look and think like us.

I would like to hear from all religious perspectives out there.....I want to know what eveyone from all walks of life think about this idea

Answer 1

It is in the United States Constitution That we are created Equal .
Most religious doctrines have classism ,and Separation of the sexes .If you are looking at a religious standpoint then what your Rabbi told you was true Women were always thought to be below the man .

Answer 2

I wouldn't call it an American idea, but America was the first country to expand that idea. Also, the word "opportunity" is wrong. All people are not born with equal "opportunity". Everyone is born in a different environment and neighborhood; not everyone can have the same opportunities due to some circumstances. Also, people only inherit physical characteristics from their parents. When people are raised by their parents, of course, they will pick up some characteristics like personality. As for animals, I consider all life to be precious, but as you know this going to lead to a vegetarian / non-vegetarian arguement. This is why some religions thank/worship what they are about to eat. Even vegans kill insects and bugs sometimes, so you cannot always protect all life, b/c it's not ideal, but you thank for what you have and try to preserve as much animal life as you can.

Answer 3

So let me get this straight dancingdoctor85. You're comparing people with what you believe to be "lower spiritual potential" to animals because you think animals don't have "spiritual potential" either. You make it sounds as if they are subhuman!

Let me turn the question around on you. Why should you assume that every human does *not* have the same spiritual potential? What's your proof or evidence for that?

As I see no way of empirically proving anything you just said, why, then, is someone's "sprititual potential" relevant at all? By the way, the fact that we do acquire characteristics from our parents is not the rabbi's "religious" perspective, but infact a biological one.

Answer 4

You're really asking too many questions for a coherent response. I'm sure the idea of "equal opportunity" originated before the Declaration of Independence, but it probably has never been carried out to the extreme as it has in the US. Of course everyone has different abilities, and much of this is inherited; however that's completely separate from the concept that everyone should have a reasonable opportunity to succeed. I don't really understand your use of the phrases "spiritual potential" or "spiritual essence." All I can say is that it's been my experience that people are more similar than you think.

Answer 5

The American concept was "all men are created equal". What happens after birth is a different matter, and has nothing to do with any religious dogma. Environment plays a factor, so someone born in one situation might have a better chance than someone born in a more unfavorable situation. Take the same two infants and switch them at birth and you would see how environment and opportunity affects them. But at the moment they pop out they have the same potential, barring some physical disability which renders them dysfunctional.

Answer 6

There's a huge difference between "Equal opportunity" and "equal potential," and equal opportunity is a matter of law in US. One is not permitted to discriminate against a person based on race, creed, color, gender, or national origin when considering the person for governmental benefits or for an employment opportunity.

Equal potential, now that's another thing all together. Every man is born with the potential to accept God's truth. This is a concept of God, not he US Government (and, indeed, many in the US Government would deny it). Animals do no display, nor have they ever in human recording, any indication of an awareness of God, nor any ability to make a moral choice. This seems to be a thing limited to man alone, and I believe is evidence against evolution as the source of life on this planet.

Answer 7

Some people have a "need" for spirituality more than others...but then spirituality can take many forms and mean many things. That is a hard question.


All people being born equal is an Idea held close to all americans hearts, although it doesn't always happen. Circumstance has a lot to do with each person's situation

Answer 8

Opportunity and potential are two different things. We are certainly not all born with the same opportunities, and like it or not we are not all born with the same potential either...otherwise no one would be a garbage man. Spiritually I'd also say we're different. Each of us has different gifts. Keep in mind however, that none of this means that anyone is better or worse than anyone else, it just means we're different.

Answer 9

Of course we are not all born equal. Otherwise would all be clones of the same being. But opportunity and potential are different things.

The 'American' idea is that everyone is equal under the law. When it comes to legal, government and civil matters, employment, housing, and public accommodation, there is no birthright to privilege.

This does not imply all people have the same potential, but all have (or should have) equal opportunity to exploit their potential.

Answer 10

I think everyone have the same spiritual potential because God can change anyone in the manner of seconds. But not everyone comes from the same background (obviously). So there's more baggage you have to get through in order for them to come to God. As for animals i think they have the sense to recognize when something spiritual is nearby but they do not comprehend it.