Question to Jews: Why is Judaism so tolerant of others' beliefs, unlike Christianity & Islam?

Question

I grew up Christian and am trying to find Jesus and am praying for guidance. The bible is positive, but somehow Christian theology seems wrong on many biblical issues. So many Christians & Muslims talk like bigoted robots ("accept my belief or die/be forsaken by God!"). Somehow all roads are pointing me to Judaism. So to learn more:

1) Why does Judaism not condemn others to eternal torture for the 'unforgiveable' sin of refusing to submit to your beliefs? Christianity & Islam do.
2) Are several incarnations of the same God, like God as man, really polytheism?
3) Why does the Talmud respect conflicting views of biblical versus? In Christianity & Islam you're just condemned as a heretic or a "not true" believer.
4) If Jews are God's chosen people, why are you less than 1% of the world population? Doesn't God want everyone to know Him? Relates to the Q of why does God allow you to keep getting persecuted?
5) Are images of God- not worshipped, just for reverence- idolatry?

Thanks for the thoughtful posts so far. That's why I specifically stated my question "to Jews" and surprisingly it kept a lot of the crazies out.

I've done and continue to do a lot of reading into Judaism. I wish I had a knowledgeable Jewish person to speak to in Singapore since I have so many more questions.

Answer 1

1) The covenant G-d made with the Jews is not the "path to salvation." We don't believe in original sin (so there's nothing to be saved from.) I was always raised in the belief that we believe that such and such happened, and it doesn't matter what other people believe. Besides, we could be wrong. We think we're not, and that's why we believe this way, but there is no irrefutable proof that we're not...the Torah says not to place a stumbling block before the blind...why give them an extra 606 rules when they don't need them? These ideas all combine into one: we don't proselytize. Also, we don't believe in eternal torture/hell like others do...what's important is THIS life anyway...
2) Yes
3) Who gave the Pope/Martin Luther/leader-it-doesn't-matter-the-religion-you-get-my-point the ability to make all the decisions regarding a religion? Religion is something for everybody, and everyone has to find their own ground to stand on in it or it doesn't hold any meaning for them, which means that the religion HAS to allow for different viewpoints because they couldn't possibly all be the same interpretation. THAT just doesn't make sense. It's like going to the funeral of your best friend's goldfish. To them, the goldfish holds a lot of meaning (the first responsibility their parents gave them, for instance.) To you, it's just something that means something to your friend. You can find meaning in it by yourself out of respect for your friend, but it's just not the same...probably not the best example, but I hope you can understand what I mean anyway.
4) The G-d's "Chosen" thing is something (In Judaism) completely different than what Xianity makes it out to be. In Judaism, we're "chosen" only because we chose to accept the Torah, we chose to accept the covenant with G-d--we're not more special than anyone else, and we're going to the same place as everyone else when we die. We just have more rules to follow to get there. Why does G-d let us keep getting persecuted? That's another question for another time, methinks. We've been wondering that for centuries, it would be hard to explain in this little box.
5) We don't make images of G-d. Period.

Peace

Sincere-Advisor
The Talmud does not say that at all
Maya
That's also not true, you just like to make up excuses to hate us :-)

Messianic Judaism is NOT Judaism. It is a Xian sect that likes to dress up in Jewish garb in order to present falsehoods to try to convert Jews to Xianity. No Jewish branch accepts these people as Jewish.

Answer 2

Some good questions :)

I think the answer to a few of your queries is that Judaism has a long tradition of enjoying and encouraging debate and discussion. There is an old joke: When you have two Jews together, you will get three opinions! I think this leads to tolerance because, while of course the basic tenets of the religion remain the same, and fixed, Jewish scholars over the years have debated and argued over them; Judaism is very much about being practical and rational.

To address some of your specific queries:

We don't have a concept of hell and eternal torture because Judaism teaches that so long as someone leads a 'righteous' life here on earth, then whatever their faith, they will reach heaven.

Yes - several incarnations of G-d are polytheism in our view. More crucially, I think, to understand Judaism you need to appreciate that the Christian idea that G-d can become flesh in any way, is utterly rejected. Judaism is very clear on this point: G-d is G-d, and man is man.

Yes - images of G-d are idolatry in the Jewish view. Remember that historically, we don't even say aloud the true name of G-d. We refer to him as 'Adonai' (Lord) or 'Hashem' ('the name')

The Talmud: this is a collection of numerous volumes, commentaries on all aspects of life. It covers an astonishing range of topics!

I think some websites that you would find really interesting are: http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/

and http://www.jewsforjudaism.org

One key thing: I admire you a lot for investigating other faiths. But please be aware that a person cannot be both Christian and Jewish at the same time, or indeed any religion AND Jewish. You will read many posts from so-called 'messianic jews' and they will tell you that yes, you can be Jewish and still embrace Jesus as messiah. They are wrong. Jewish law alone determines who is Jewish. 'messianic jews' are Christian, and should be proud enough of their religion to say so. No Jew believes in Jesus as messiah.

I wish you all the best, and please post any other queries you may have on Judaism :)

EDIT TO ASKER

Please, please ignore Maya; she is currently popping up all over this site and posting the most vile untruths about Judaism and Jews. And those who claim that the Talmud says negative things abouto non Jews are mistaken. Anyone who knows even the basics about Judaism knows that we respect ALL other religions.

Answer 3

Islam. I think Mama gave a very detailed answer; I've no more to add, but do want to make a minor correction to another poster: Halal is a bit less strict than Kashrut. Those that follow Islamic dietary laws can eat Kosher, but those that follow Jewish dietary laws may have a problem with some Halal foods or preparation.

Answer 4

You have many excellent answers -- I'd hate to have to make the choice of "best!" Have you considered adding the best answerers to your contact list in order to learn from more of their answers, as well as from their contacts' answers?

Jews live all over the world. I'm sure you can find knowledgeable Jews in Singapore! In any case, here are some books you could order:

"Judaism for Everyone"
by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism"
by Rabbi Benjamin Blech

"This is My God"
by Herman Wouk

"The Book of Jewish Belief"
by Louis Jacobs

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism"
by Michael Levin

http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/
http://www.aish.com/
http://beliefnet.com/index/index_10005.html
http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.htm
http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/
www.chabad.org
http://becomingajew.org/
http://www.asknoah.org/
http://www.askmoses.com/
http://judaism.about.com/
http://www.beingjewish.com/
http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/?wcw=google
http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/c.ekLSK5MLIrG/b.1722327/k.2835/Conversion.htm

.
Messiah:
http://www.judaismsanswer.com,%20www.messiahtruth.com/response.html
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/jewsandjesus.htm
http://www.aish.com/spirituality/philosophy/Why_Dont_Jews_Believe_In_Jesus$.asp

"Messianic Judaism",
http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/web/personalstories/julius.html

Blood sacrifice:
http://whatjewsbelieve.org/explanation02.html

Reform Judaism – “Statement of Principles”
http://ccarnet.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=44&pge_prg_id=3032&pge_id=1656
.

Answer 5

http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/ has answers to many of these questions

I hope you realize that Maya has given you compltely false information. She often appears on questions about Jews or Judaism for this purpose. I think she is obsessed with spreading hate and lies about Jews..

Lady Suri gave you the correct answers from a Jewish perspective.

Unfortunately, if you start asking questions about Judaism in Y/A..there are ALWAYS two things that happen.
1) Jew haters come out from under their rocks to make insult and spread lies, often using bogus Talmud quotes or twisting them for an agenda
2) Missionaries answer as authority to explain Jewish belief and get it topsy turvy
3) Christians posing as Jews give Christian dogma and present it as from a Jewish perspective of Jewish belief.

And once in a while you have all of those fallacies in one single post!

If you want to learn about any faith tradition, it's always best to ask adherents of that faith. And a good rule of thumb is..there is NO branch of Judaism on the planet that worships to or through Jesus.

The righrteous of all nations merit a place in the world to come is what we are taught. Treat the stranger as you treat yourself..Do not do unto another that which you find distasteful to yourself..Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God.

Shalom :)

Answer 6

I believe that one of the most fundamental reasons that Judaism is open and tolerant is that we are taught to think, question and learn. To live one's life as a righteous person NOW, not to be absolved of one's wrong doing by some superstitious nonsense, not to wait for some mythical heaven or paradise. Xtianity and Islam teach to follow and obey.

Answer 7

Judaism is more tolerant than other religions because it teaches us that ALL moral people merit heaven, regardless of their religious beliefs, affiliations, or lack thereof.
As for being chosen, that concept does not imply superiority.
It does imply a special uniqueness.
Historically, it goes back to Abraham. Abraham lived in a world steeped in idolatry, which he concluded was contradicted by the reality of design in nature.
So Abraham came to a belief in God, and took upon himself the mission of teaching others of the monotheistic ideal. Abraham was even willing to suffer persecution for his beliefs. After years of enormous effort, dedication and a willingness to accept the responsibility to be God's representative in this world, God chose Abraham and his descendents to be the teachers of this monotheistic message.
In other words it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God.

Answer 8

Although your question specifically addresses Jewish but allow me to correct your point of view regarding MUSLIMS.

I am pleased to notice that your inner self is in search of One God, the Lord of all beings. Remember Abraham was an idol-breaker & firmly believed in One Unseen God. It was his rational that made him stand against the entire idol worshiping community!

I wish you all success in search of Truth in Judaism but at the same time would like to put the records straight regarding your confusing Muslims practices with that of Christians.

1- CONDEMNATION in Koran is found for those who are either IDOL WORSHIPERS in one form or another, those who do not believe in RESURRECTION, or for those who make COMPEERS to God, and for those believers who are HYPOCRITES.

Koran addresses Jewish & Christians with esteem and address them by calling PEOPLE OF THE BOOK, however, Koran is critical for the severed practices or beliefs that were developed over time like trinity by Christians, and disbelieving in no life after death by SOME of the Jewish.

2- INCARNATION is an exclusive belief by Christianity!

Koran addresses Jesus of Nazareth as ‘Jesus, son of Mary’ clarifying it repeatedly that IT BEHOVES NOT TO GOD All-Sufficient TO BEGET SON!

3- Who gave you such an impression about Islam? Either you have not discussed it with a Scholar in Islamic or you are merely conjecturing!
God forsakes Idolaters & Unbelievers in Hereafter in the Koran but still the doors to them are open wide through repenting & coming to God’s religion with pure heart.

4- House of Israel (Jacob) are of course the chosen ones & the CHOICE RESTS WITH GOD ALONE so Jewish must be thankful to God that HE CHOSE THEM, it is not the other way round!
God has been GRACIOUS TO JEWISH but EQUALLY PERSECUTED THEM when they DIGRESSED FROM God’s Commandments. A bird’s eye view on Jewish history will be sufficient a proof.
It is only God All-wise who knows the good reason for keeping His chosen ones in such a limited numbers …
Nonetheless, In Order To Have Faith in God you need to be bestowed with God’s mercy on you – you do not find God in the Jewish race or religion; GOD ALL-SUFFICIENT IS KNOWN BY HIS SIGNS!

5- Any form of reverence is STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN ISLAM.

I am still BAFFLED how you got Islam mixed up with Christianity.
A bit astonishing it is!

Answer 9

It doesn't try to recruit more members. Jews are of all races. And most people that become Jewish marry Jews.

Jews don't believe Jesus because he didn't take them back to heaven like the Christians are now waiting.

Answer 10

Two thousand years of pogroms!

Answer to 1): Talmud does say that those who do not believe in Judaism will have to suffer in a cauldron of boiling excrement in Hell.

Answer to 2): Associating partners in the divinity of God is a form of polytheism.

Answer to 3): Your assertion is false. There are many variant interpretations in Islam and Christianity, all considered acceptable by the orthodoxy.

Answer to 4): According to one Rabbi, Jews were "Chosen" to spread God's message. But after hundreds of years of pogroms, Jews agreed to stop proselytizing in Europe.

Answer to 5): Human history has shown that undue reverence does lead to idolatry.