Jewish thought without the implied commitment to deity or dogma....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Transcendence
Rather than excluding the possibility of God (although no one should present ideas that cannot be called into question here) I thought it might be interesting to try and understand what forms the "Divine" and/or the "Transcendent" might take.
I oftentimes will describe myself as an atheist. A Jewish atheist, but an atheist nonetheless. I know that by using this specific word I am still defining myself in terms of the divine: a + theist = without + god(s).
However, in my reading of Martin Buber (particularly 'I and Thou') I have come to recognize a transcendent possibility in the world. The relationship of I and Thou can be transcendent in nature. I am wondering if this belief in transcendence can take the place of deity in the defining of myself as a 'spiritual person.' I don't feel that is the case but I know that most scientific materialists (who are not the only atheists out there) would toss me out of the club for such a belief.
I'm just interested to know what other conceptions of divinity exist for people.
1 comment:
I oftentimes will describe myself as an atheist. A Jewish atheist, but an atheist nonetheless. I know that by using this specific word I am still defining myself in terms of the divine: a + theist = without + god(s).
However, in my reading of Martin Buber (particularly 'I and Thou') I have come to recognize a transcendent possibility in the world. The relationship of I and Thou can be transcendent in nature. I am wondering if this belief in transcendence can take the place of deity in the defining of myself as a 'spiritual person.' I don't feel that is the case but I know that most scientific materialists (who are not the only atheists out there) would toss me out of the club for such a belief.
I'm just interested to know what other conceptions of divinity exist for people.
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