The bible

[Lenticular_J]

All the really COOL gospels and apocalyptic literature didn't make it into the canon. Whenever people talk about 'the Bible' as if it's something that actually exists I have to kind of stifle a laugh. That's what textual scholarship and historical acuity will do to you.

 

You disregard one of the most-read texts in the history of literature due to it not being cool enough for you?

 

 

 

I once respected you as a debatist. :|

 

 

 

What? You totally didn't read my post for what it was...

 

And what was it? Because it seems like you're bashing something for no reason, something you've been doing a good bit of recently.

 

 

 

Oh yeah, I disregard it because it isn't "cool enough", I mean, are you for real?

 

 

 

Read the post again; it's obvious that I said I disregarded it because the Bible, while looking at it from a historical and scholarly angle, doesn't exist in the terms that you're proposing because of the editing and rejections of other books.

 

Mmm, alright then. I apologize, I lost my head a bit. However, I don't understand what terms you mean. Of course certain parts were rejected for the modern Bible. How does that make it laughable?

[The Dark Lord]

He's saying the Council of Nicea basically put what they wanted in the Bible. Anything they didn't like they threw out of the window. In history, Jesus was basically a reformer. He tried to reform Judaism, but instead his followers broke ties and started their own religion. I guess he also is thinking of the atrocities of the Roman Catholic church. They murdered the Templar Knights, started the Inquisition, burned "witches," slaughtered thousands of Muslims during the Crusades, etc. There were also groups during the Plague Years (1300s) that would self-mutilate themselves in hopes of preventing infection from the Bubonic plague. Not only that, but Opus Dei was a Catholic movement that believed in self-mortification, which was basically getting a whip and beating yourself on the back when you sinned or had bad thoughts or whatever. Not only that, but the Protestants and Catholics fought a 30 year war against each other. Also currently you have a cult called Westboro Baptist Church that goes around with signs saying "GOD HATES [bleep]S" and they protest funerals.

 

 

 

Basically there were tons of stupid things committed in the name of Christianity is what he's saying.

[folmer_veeman]

yes, it's that christianity is bad, but the people who 'preach' it are, look at the history, adolf hitler 'believed' in god, though he has murdered thousands of people...

[Lenticular_J]

Ah, okay. I understand it now, I guess. It would have been better if they'd kept it all, but it is the Holy Christian Bible. (Note -I believe my version is officially Catholic. Mormons, Jehova's Witnesses, and the like all have their own version of the Bible as well

 

 

 

Adolf Hitler was insane. Not to mention his mother was Jewish, thus his idea of Jews being a race would have made him genetically imperfect in his own eyes. Perhaps that's what led him to commit suicide. And it isn't preachers that are bad in Christiandom. It is the nutjobs, as with every religion or nonreligion. Also, he killed millions.

 

 

 

The history of near everything is bad. People will kill in the name of killing. Those people are dead. You can't blame things that happened centuries ago on a group existing now.

 

 

 

Christianity is not one big glob. There are so many groups and offshoots that you nearly have to treat each one as a separate religion. You can't blame a massive religion for one tiny group's [wagon]ery, just as I can't blame, say, Liberals because of those groups that try to spit on soldiers returning from Iraq (not trying to bring politics into this, merely an example).

 

 

 

To use Islam and the Koran as an example - not everything shows the good side or the bad side. People will interpret it how they will, and some interpret it as "strap a bomb to your child's chest, it's a great thing!". However, you can't blame Islam in general for those things - it is one of the most demanding religions out there, and nearly all people who practice it are extremely devout.

 

 

 

I hope that was a bit of a counterpoint to whatever point we're making here. I need a nap.

[folmer_veeman]

lenticular, i didn't mean the preachers in the church i did mean the nutjobs who use it for their own ends, doing wrong but telling people they do it for christianity and in the name of god..

[Morah]

Actually the bible was put together by the early church.

 

Cam.org is saying that the revelation of Jesus Christ through John, was written in cerca 90 A.D. Though the early church did not include the Gnostic gospel because they are said to be heresy books.

 

 

 

How about this. If the Christian religion is false, which aparently majority of ya'll think it is, then let it die down buy itself. Look back at history for this. During the height of the roman empire, Asia minor (modern day Turkey) believed in Artemis,or Diana. Now that religion is no more. Even if it is, it is a minority. Look back at the anciet Egyptians. They Believed in Horus, god of the sun. And many many others. Now that religion does not exist.

 

Well what about Hinduism or Judaism? They have been around for a long time. Well, some religions go out quicker than others.

 

 

 

just wait and see.

 

 

 

I'll put money on that christianity will never die. Things like tha don't just "die out." It's one of the major religions in the world. If it's lasted for 2000+ years, and still going strong, when will it die out, the year 5000?

 

 

 

and various pagan religions used to be the major world religions. look at them now, many of them completely dead.

 

i'm just curious, are there any jews for jesus in this discussion?

[Lenticular_J]

Actually the bible was put together by the early church.

 

Cam.org is saying that the revelation of Jesus Christ through John, was written in cerca 90 A.D. Though the early church did not include the Gnostic gospel because they are said to be heresy books.

 

 

 

How about this. If the Christian religion is false, which aparently majority of ya'll think it is, then let it die down buy itself. Look back at history for this. During the height of the roman empire, Asia minor (modern day Turkey) believed in Artemis,or Diana. Now that religion is no more. Even if it is, it is a minority. Look back at the anciet Egyptians. They Believed in Horus, god of the sun. And many many others. Now that religion does not exist.

 

Well what about Hinduism or Judaism? They have been around for a long time. Well, some religions go out quicker than others.

 

 

 

just wait and see.

 

 

 

I'll put money on that christianity will never die. Things like tha don't just "die out." It's one of the major religions in the world. If it's lasted for 2000+ years, and still going strong, when will it die out, the year 5000?

 

 

 

and various pagan religions used to be the major world religions. look at them now, many of them completely dead.

 

i'm just curious, are there any jews for jesus in this discussion?

 

Those pagan religions aren't dead (for the most part). They just evolved into what we have them now. Christianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism, which was the first major monotheistic religion and came from Egyptian sun worship.

[Morah]

Actually the bible was put together by the early church.

 

Cam.org is saying that the revelation of Jesus Christ through John, was written in cerca 90 A.D. Though the early church did not include the Gnostic gospel because they are said to be heresy books.

 

 

 

How about this. If the Christian religion is false, which aparently majority of ya'll think it is, then let it die down buy itself. Look back at history for this. During the height of the roman empire, Asia minor (modern day Turkey) believed in Artemis,or Diana. Now that religion is no more. Even if it is, it is a minority. Look back at the anciet Egyptians. They Believed in Horus, god of the sun. And many many others. Now that religion does not exist.

 

Well what about Hinduism or Judaism? They have been around for a long time. Well, some religions go out quicker than others.

 

 

 

just wait and see.

 

 

 

I'll put money on that christianity will never die. Things like tha don't just "die out." It's one of the major religions in the world. If it's lasted for 2000+ years, and still going strong, when will it die out, the year 5000?

 

 

 

and various pagan religions used to be the major world religions. look at them now, many of them completely dead.

 

i'm just curious, are there any jews for jesus in this discussion?

 

Those pagan religions aren't dead (for the most part). They just evolved into what we have them now. Christianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism, which was the first major monotheistic religion and came from Egyptian sun worship.

 

 

 

being jewish (and i mean a real jew--not a jew for jesus),i can tell u right now that it did not come from egyptian sunworship. judaism follows the lunar calendar.

 

and also, many of the pagan religions are dead. there are some that are still alive, but many are dead.

[The Dark Lord]

I believe paganism now-a-days is generally referred to as neo-paganism. Wicca is an example of this. It's an earth-centered religion with the belief in a god and a goddess. Usually God is referred to as the Horned God or the Great God (resembling Pan from Greek mythology) and Goddess is a triune divine being. Most Wiccans focus their worship on Goddess.

 

 

 

Their trinity is as follows:

 

The Mother

 

The Maiden

 

The Crone

 

 

 

They also practice witchcraft. They are strong advocates of religious tolerance, as long as it abided by 'harm none.' (See Witch's Rede) They believe that "Whatever you send into this world will return unto you times three." Basically it's a karma system and they believe in reincarnation until you have enough karma to enter the Summer Lands, which is the witch's heaven.

 

 

 

I find it coincidental that I put a link to a major pagan website in my signature. Check out www.wicca.com for some neat facts about them. I'm not pagan, but I did date a girl a few months ago that was a Wiccan.

 

 

 

I think paganism just comes from traditional Celtic worship, before the Christians assimilated them into Christian faith.

[rushrock]

Serephurus, if I'm not mistaken, some Wiccans don't even practice witchcraft. I'm pretty sure that some don't even believe in reincarnation at all. A lot of what you're saying all Wiccans practice varies, I think.

[The Dark Lord]

Maybe, but on their site, they say that they practice witchcraft. Actually the German word wic means 'to bend the natural order of things.'

 

 

 

I can see that some might not believe in reincarnation, but from what I understood they could only be a true Wiccan if they practiced witchcraft. Although I do know that some Wiccans might also affiliate with other religions. My ex-girlfriend's mother was also a Wiccan and she told me that she also practiced Christianity.

[rushrock]

Yeah, in today's modern times, I think it varies a lot more. There are probably still many people who follow Wiccan very traditionally.

[Lenticular_J]

Actually the bible was put together by the early church.

 

Cam.org is saying that the revelation of Jesus Christ through John, was written in cerca 90 A.D. Though the early church did not include the Gnostic gospel because they are said to be heresy books.

 

 

 

How about this. If the Christian religion is false, which aparently majority of ya'll think it is, then let it die down buy itself. Look back at history for this. During the height of the roman empire, Asia minor (modern day Turkey) believed in Artemis,or Diana. Now that religion is no more. Even if it is, it is a minority. Look back at the anciet Egyptians. They Believed in Horus, god of the sun. And many many others. Now that religion does not exist.

 

Well what about Hinduism or Judaism? They have been around for a long time. Well, some religions go out quicker than others.

 

 

 

just wait and see.

 

 

 

I'll put money on that christianity will never die. Things like tha don't just "die out." It's one of the major religions in the world. If it's lasted for 2000+ years, and still going strong, when will it die out, the year 5000?

 

 

 

and various pagan religions used to be the major world religions. look at them now, many of them completely dead.

 

i'm just curious, are there any jews for jesus in this discussion?

 

Those pagan religions aren't dead (for the most part). They just evolved into what we have them now. Christianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism, which was the first major monotheistic religion and came from Egyptian sun worship.

 

 

 

being jewish (and i mean a real jew--not a jew for jesus),i can tell u right now that it did not come from egyptian sunworship. judaism follows the lunar calendar.

 

and also, many of the pagan religions are dead. there are some that are still alive, but many are dead.

 

Yes, most of them are dead or assimilated into other religions. Egyptian worship of Ra led to many passages of the Torah, or Old Testament. The Israelites, when led out of Egypt by Moses, traveled for forty years - a sacred number to the Egyptians. If a pharaoh was buried with forty cats in his tomb, he was guaranteed entrance into Ra's sacred lands. A relatively coincidental example, but it is true. All modern-day monotheistic religions began as worshiping the Sun - hence, Heaven being in the sky. Judaism began in the lands of the Israelites, with Abraham - I believe he is known in the Torah as Avraham Avinu.

 

Following the lunar calendar has nothing to do with it.

 

 

 

Also, I try to steer clear of Wicca in general. Such an odd religion.

[Morah]

Actually the bible was put together by the early church.

 

Cam.org is saying that the revelation of Jesus Christ through John, was written in cerca 90 A.D. Though the early church did not include the Gnostic gospel because they are said to be heresy books.

 

 

 

How about this. If the Christian religion is false, which aparently majority of ya'll think it is, then let it die down buy itself. Look back at history for this. During the height of the roman empire, Asia minor (modern day Turkey) believed in Artemis,or Diana. Now that religion is no more. Even if it is, it is a minority. Look back at the anciet Egyptians. They Believed in Horus, god of the sun. And many many others. Now that religion does not exist.

 

Well what about Hinduism or Judaism? They have been around for a long time. Well, some religions go out quicker than others.

 

 

 

just wait and see.

 

 

 

I'll put money on that christianity will never die. Things like tha don't just "die out." It's one of the major religions in the world. If it's lasted for 2000+ years, and still going strong, when will it die out, the year 5000?

 

 

 

and various pagan religions used to be the major world religions. look at them now, many of them completely dead.

 

i'm just curious, are there any jews for jesus in this discussion?

 

Those pagan religions aren't dead (for the most part). They just evolved into what we have them now. Christianity and Islam are offshoots of Judaism, which was the first major monotheistic religion and came from Egyptian sun worship.

 

 

 

being jewish (and i mean a real jew--not a jew for jesus),i can tell u right now that it did not come from egyptian sunworship. judaism follows the lunar calendar.

 

and also, many of the pagan religions are dead. there are some that are still alive, but many are dead.

 

Yes, most of them are dead or assimilated into other religions. Egyptian worship of Ra led to many passages of the Torah, or Old Testament. The Israelites, when led out of Egypt by Moses, traveled for forty years - a sacred number to the Egyptians. If a pharaoh was buried with forty cats in his tomb, he was guaranteed entrance into Ra's sacred lands. A relatively coincidental example, but it is true. All modern-day monotheistic religions began as worshiping the Sun - hence, Heaven being in the sky. Judaism began in the lands of the Israelites, with Abraham - I believe he is known in the Torah as Avraham Avinu.

 

Following the lunar calendar has nothing to do with it.

 

 

 

Also, I try to steer clear of Wicca in general. Such an odd religion.

 

 

 

i'd like to know where u get ur information from. considering my grandfather was a rabbi and i've received every kind of jewish education from venues that count women in a minion, i find it odd that i've never heard any of what ur saying b4.

 

if u can show me a credible source, i'll be more than happy to listen.

 

 

 

also, for what it's worth, judaism doesn't see heaven (or any part of the afterlife) as being above or below where we are on this earth, but more as on a different plane of existance.

[Lenticular_J]

It isn't a part of Judaism; it isn't part of any religion. All monotheistic religions have just been derived from Sun worship, primarily Egyptian. It's hardly well-known knowledge, you'd be surprised at how many people don't even know Abraham was practically the founder of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

[The Dark Lord]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

[Lenticular_J]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

 

It's in the book "A Thinker's Guide to God", I believe. Although I can't say I'm sure, it was a long time ago.

 

 

 

Makes sense though, eh? Hebrews came out of Egypt, and now the three primary monotheistic religions worship a God that lives above us, or in Heaven (which is referenced as "up" in both the Bible and the Torah, and probably the Koran).

[Morah]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

 

It's in the book "A Thinker's Guide to God", I believe. Although I can't say I'm sure, it was a long time ago.

 

 

 

Makes sense though, eh? Hebrews came out of Egypt, and now the three primary monotheistic religions worship a God that lives above us, or in Heaven (which is referenced as "up" in both the Bible and the Torah, and probably the Koran).

 

 

 

u do realize that judaism was created generations before any jew went to egypt?

 

let's count...abraham,issac,jacob, and then joseph was the 1st one to enter egypt. abraham and issac were dead by the time. and jacob went when he was near death to visit joseph, who had become a higher up in egypt's gov. eventually, pharoh saw how the jews were multiplying and became worried that if egypt were to be attacked, that they would side with the attacker, hence making them slaves. judaism does not believe G-d resides in the heavens, that's christianity. we believe G-d is incorporal (without body or shape).

[Fedorca99]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

 

It's in the book "A Thinker's Guide to God", I believe. Although I can't say I'm sure, it was a long time ago.

 

 

 

Makes sense though, eh? Hebrews came out of Egypt, and now the three primary monotheistic religions worship a God that lives above us, or in Heaven (which is referenced as "up" in both the Bible and the Torah, and probably the Koran).

 

 

 

u do realize that judaism was created generations before any jew went to egypt?

 

let's count...abraham,issac,jacob, and then joseph was the 1st one to enter egypt. abraham and issac were dead by the time. and jacob went when he was near death to visit joseph, who had become a higher up in egypt's gov. eventually, pharoh saw how the jews were multiplying and became worried that if egypt were to be attacked, that they would side with the attacker, hence making them slaves. judaism does not believe G-d resides in the heavens, that's christianity. we believe G-d is incorporal (without body or shape).

 

Well said. I however, as a baptist, believe that God lives in heaven, and that his son Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died as the only way for us to get reconcilliation with a perfect God.

 

 

 

I see you are reluctant to use God's name in vain, which I have no problem with. I however define "in vain" as "not talking to, or about God".

[Lenticular_J]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

 

It's in the book "A Thinker's Guide to God", I believe. Although I can't say I'm sure, it was a long time ago.

 

 

 

Makes sense though, eh? Hebrews came out of Egypt, and now the three primary monotheistic religions worship a God that lives above us, or in Heaven (which is referenced as "up" in both the Bible and the Torah, and probably the Koran).

 

 

 

u do realize that judaism was created generations before any jew went to egypt?

 

let's count...abraham,issac,jacob, and then joseph was the 1st one to enter egypt. abraham and issac were dead by the time. and jacob went when he was near death to visit joseph, who had become a higher up in egypt's gov. eventually, pharoh saw how the jews were multiplying and became worried that if egypt were to be attacked, that they would side with the attacker, hence making them slaves. judaism does not believe G-d resides in the heavens, that's christianity. we believe G-d is incorporal (without body or shape).

 

My apologies, I forgot that. And the Judaistic belief that speaking His name in vain is, well, bad. I wasn't trying to start anything by it, it's just a fact. Being led out of Egypt by Moses, Judaism was much more spread than when the first few Israelites entered Egypt, according to the Old Testament. Plus, geographically, Israel and Egypt would have been obvious trade partners.

 

 

 

On another note, what is the Judaistic belief on Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac? I know my personal belief wasn't that God was testing Abraham, yet that Abraham was testing God, to see if this God was truly worth worship. Abraham lived in a time of many false gods and goddesses, and he couldn't have just any for his lineage.

[Morah]

They're called Abrahamic religions for a reason.

 

 

 

Anyway from what I understood, at least from the Biblical perspective and all that I've been taught, the Hebrews were slaves of Egypt, yet they weren't originally from Egypt. A family that was Hebrew and followed the god of their forefathers (Abraham, Issac and Jacob) moved there because a relative was made equal to Pharoah at that time. Then eventually they became slaves as a means to control the growing population of Hebrews. Then allegedly Moses led them out of Egypt.

 

 

 

I seriously haven't heard that all monotheistic religions branched off of Egyptian sun-worship though. Who taught you that?

 

It's in the book "A Thinker's Guide to God", I believe. Although I can't say I'm sure, it was a long time ago.

 

 

 

Makes sense though, eh? Hebrews came out of Egypt, and now the three primary monotheistic religions worship a God that lives above us, or in Heaven (which is referenced as "up" in both the Bible and the Torah, and probably the Koran).

 

 

 

u do realize that judaism was created generations before any jew went to egypt?

 

let's count...abraham,issac,jacob, and then joseph was the 1st one to enter egypt. abraham and issac were dead by the time. and jacob went when he was near death to visit joseph, who had become a higher up in egypt's gov. eventually, pharoh saw how the jews were multiplying and became worried that if egypt were to be attacked, that they would side with the attacker, hence making them slaves. judaism does not believe G-d resides in the heavens, that's christianity. we believe G-d is incorporal (without body or shape).

 

My apologies, I forgot that. And the Judaistic belief that speaking His name in vain is, well, bad. I wasn't trying to start anything by it, it's just a fact. Being led out of Egypt by Moses, Judaism was much more spread than when the first few Israelites entered Egypt, according to the Old Testament. Plus, geographically, Israel and Egypt would have been obvious trade partners.

 

 

 

On another note, what is the Judaistic belief on Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac? I know my personal belief wasn't that God was testing Abraham, yet that Abraham was testing God, to see if this God was truly worth worship. Abraham lived in a time of many false gods and goddesses, and he couldn't have just any for his lineage.

 

 

 

The reason i spell G-d's name the way i do, is to show respect. in judaism, if anything has G-d's name spelled out on it, and then it needs to be gotten rid of, it can only be done so by being burried or burned.

 

it cannot be thrown in the trash.

 

rabbi's have said that typing G-d's name out fully on something u don't intend to print out is OK, however i'm just staying on the safe side.

 

 

 

now to answer ur question: being a reconstructionist jew, i believe that while G-d did command that he sacrifice issac, that abraham also ignored some of G-d's more subtle hints that he has gone far enough and can go back home. G-d sent Natas (the jewish version of satan) to not only test abraham, but to also give abraham hints that he didn't need to do this.

 

if u try to look up the jewish answer to this question though, u'll find many different opinions. 2 jews=5 opinions!

[The Dark Lord]

Do Jews believe in hell? Do they believe that God would send someone to hell?

 

 

 

Just a question I decided to raise since pretty much the whole "Egyptian sun-worship" debate is over.

[Kenshinjapan]

Do Jews believe in hell? Do they believe that God would send someone to hell?

 

 

 

Just a question I decided to raise since pretty much the whole "Egyptian sun-worship" debate is over.

 

 

 

Why wouldn't they?

[Morah]

Do Jews believe in hell? Do they believe that God would send someone to hell?

 

 

 

Just a question I decided to raise since pretty much the whole "Egyptian sun-worship" debate is over.

 

 

 

the closest thing jews have to hell is a place that is like limbo. basically, u get sent there for what we aproximate to be a time equal to about a year (based on scriptures and codes). while there, ur soul gets cleansed and ready for heaven.

 

unlike many other religions, judaism believes that you do not need to be jewish in ordered to be admitted into heaven.

[The Dark Lord]

So Jews have more of the "How can an all-loving G-d send anyone to an infinite amount of time in hell for only committing a finite amount of sin on Earth" mentality, right?

 

 

 

EDIT: By the way, I'm an unofficial member of a UU congregation. When I get to go back to the church again, I get to celebrate Jewish holidays with them. I honestly think it's going to be a very fun and enriching experience to celebrate Jewish and Christian and possibly other religious holidays instead of only the Christian holidays my family celebrates. (My family = bunch of orthodox Christians. I'm kind of the black sheep of the family because I'm a Unitarian Universalist. =\ Just thought to throw in that interesting fact about that I'm going to start celebrating all Jewish holidays soon. Anyway my dad took me to a Jewish synagogue when I was little, I enjoyed the worship, but didn't understand any of the symbolism at the time. They passed around some apple juice during the middle of the service. What did the drinking of the juice represent?)