The Divine Purpose of Atheism

[Jrosemary]

My rabbi told this story in synagogue yesterday:

A yeshiva student was troubled by the notion that everyone and everything had a divine purpose. He went to his rabbi and said, "Rebbe, I understand how so much of creation works to its divine purpose--but how can atheists be a part of that?"

The rabbi answered, "Atheists constantly remind us that when you hear someone crying out for help, you must become as an atheist--you must behave as if there is no G-d to help him. You must go to his rescue."

My rabbi, who is a deeply devout theist, added that repairing the world is our duty, whether there's a G-d or not. He also said that, in a sense, the closer you get to true religion, the closer you get to atheism.

[Goat]

My rabbi told this story in synagogue yesterday:

A yeshiva student was troubled by the notion that everyone and everything had a divine purpose. He went to his rabbi and said, "Rebbe, I understand how so much of creation works to its divine purpose--but how can atheists be a part of that?"

The rabbi answered, "Atheists constantly remind us that when you hear someone crying out for help, you must become as an atheist--you must behave as if there is no G-d to help him. You must go to his rescue."

My rabbi, who is a deeply devout theist, added that repairing the world is our duty, whether there's a G-d or not. He also said that, in a sense, the closer you get to true religion, the closer you get to atheism.

It may seem extremely odd to refer to Christian scripture in the Judaism forum, but since the reference will be to Matthew, the most recognizably Jewish of the Gospel writers who has Jesus insist on the continuing validity of the Law, perhaps it can be forgiven.

In The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats those who performed charitable works for those in need without even awareness of religious motivation are also deemed righteous and given a place in the world to come…oops…I mean “eternal life�. Those who failed to perform charitable works are condemned.

Some ideas are good no matter who says them.

Out of the whole new Testament, that is the only item that truly resonates with me..... except for the 'else go to hell' part at the end.