if Yes , then what about Atheism. or unbelief.
First we have to ask the question: Was the person Jewish or non-Jewish? The reason for this is that Jews are judged differently to non-Jews. A Jew that converted to a polytheistic religion and died while still following the polytheistic relgion, would be punished with Kares (spiritual excission)- the worst possible punishment for the soul. With a non-Jew the first question would have to be: Were they ever given the opportunity and knowledge to abandon polytheism? The Noachide laws forbid polytheism to non-Jews but there is a general assumption in Judaism- if you do not know about a law, you cannot be found guilty of breaking that law. thus a non-Jew that never learnt differently would not suffer Kares from this sin- but their soul would receive a lesser reward to account for this sin.
In the case of atheism/unbelief the same analysis as that above could apply- but there is an additional factor. There is a concept called "Tinok she lo b'nishma" "a baby without understanding". What this principle means that there are times that we do not hold a person liable for a transgression since they do not have the understanding/education/background necessary to not commit that particular sin. In the modern era, the vast majority of atheists within Judaism fall into this category. The same thing would apply to non-Jews as above- did they ever have the chance to do other than what they did?
Why the more lenient approach to atheists and non-belief? Here we need to look at the implications- in the case of believing in polytheism we are denying G-d but accepting other divinites, in the second instance we are denying all divinities! The first case is far worse- it claims that divine power does not exist and then abrogates G-d in taking up polytheistic beliefs; on the other hand, atheists deny all divinity and thus do not promote some other divintiy over G-d
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March 24th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Nothing is really unforgivable in Judaism you can always make Tikun, or fix something. Even upon death, many streams of Judaism hold that you either A. Become reincarnated and fix your soul in a new life. or B. In an unchristian version of hell, everyone goes in order to 'clean their soul' so to speak. Things are handled differently in different types of Jewish philosophy.
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March 24th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
To clarify: Judaism does not claim to be the 'only' path to G-d. It is merely one path.
So we don't tell others, non Jews, not to be Polytheistic, or Hindu, or Catholic, etc. We simply state, logically, that no Jew can follow another faith AND remain Jewish.
Judaism says that ALL humans are EQUALLY the children of G-d.
Also, a person who is born Jewish can be an Atheist, as they are not violating the commandment against worshipping 'other gods'. They remain part of the Jewish family. A person is an EX member of the Jewish family ONLY IF they adopt ANY OTHER FAITH.
Hope this helps to answer
References :
March 26th, 2009 at 1:53 am
First we have to ask the question: Was the person Jewish or non-Jewish? The reason for this is that Jews are judged differently to non-Jews. A Jew that converted to a polytheistic religion and died while still following the polytheistic relgion, would be punished with Kares (spiritual excission)- the worst possible punishment for the soul. With a non-Jew the first question would have to be: Were they ever given the opportunity and knowledge to abandon polytheism? The Noachide laws forbid polytheism to non-Jews but there is a general assumption in Judaism- if you do not know about a law, you cannot be found guilty of breaking that law. thus a non-Jew that never learnt differently would not suffer Kares from this sin- but their soul would receive a lesser reward to account for this sin.
In the case of atheism/unbelief the same analysis as that above could apply- but there is an additional factor. There is a concept called "Tinok she lo b'nishma" "a baby without understanding". What this principle means that there are times that we do not hold a person liable for a transgression since they do not have the understanding/education/background necessary to not commit that particular sin. In the modern era, the vast majority of atheists within Judaism fall into this category. The same thing would apply to non-Jews as above- did they ever have the chance to do other than what they did?
Why the more lenient approach to atheists and non-belief? Here we need to look at the implications- in the case of believing in polytheism we are denying G-d but accepting other divinites, in the second instance we are denying all divinities! The first case is far worse- it claims that divine power does not exist and then abrogates G-d in taking up polytheistic beliefs; on the other hand, atheists deny all divinity and thus do not promote some other divintiy over G-d
References :
Orthodox Jew; Iggeros Moshe