Examining The Conversion of the Jews In Philip Roth’s “The Conversion of the Jews”, a short but complex story is told of Ozzie Freedman as he struggles against the established teachings within the Jewish faith (Roth, N.p). Roth used a simple story of a young boy questioning his Rabbi’s teachings to showcase how often people use their religion to as a means to carry out evil deeds. When looking at this work with a modern viewpoint and understanding of current world affairs, finding the true meaning is straightforward and effortless. As is often the case in our current society individuals use their religious beliefs to either dispel the views of others or to carry out despicable acts against their fellow man. Roth’s work covers several common issues that transcend religions worldwide; the first issue to examine is the historical passing of religious beliefs down through the family. These beliefs are often thrust upon children by their parents base on the premise that they had been raised in the church therefore their children shall be raised the same way. Often based on this …show more content…
historical prominence that religion has played in ones life there is a level of reverence placed on their religious leaders. Roth expertly captures this in detailing Ozzie’s latest transgression and his explanation of the issue to his mother (Roth, N.p). Mrs. Freedman’s instantaneous reaction of striking her son highlights the level of importance and unquestioned authority that is often placed with religious leaders. The second key issue that is paraded throughout the text is that to question ones religious beliefs is to defy God and therefore to not believe.
However if one is afforded the chance to truly look at the core issues of ones beliefs then a chance for deeper understanding is then readily available. Ozzie numerous times in the story raises legitimate questions to Rabbi Binder only to be strictly rebuked and ever turn, the most telling rebuke was when Ozzie asked “why couldn’t He let a woman have a baby without having intercourse” and Rabbi Binder then launched into a long explanation of in the historical context of Jesus but never answered Ozzie’s question in a direct way (Roth, N.p). Instead of convincing a believer to stay the course this type of rebuke simply widens the chasm that is growing by attempting to glaze over the over the importance of the raised topic in the questioners
eyes. The pivotal point the Roth brings forth is that religion is often used as an excuse for violence, either physical or emotional. This religious violence is harder to detect and can take many forms, some may appear readily such as suicide bomber while others may appear in the form of a county clerk using emotional violence to deny people their lawful right of marriage. The two examples of physical violence in the writing are clear and easily understandable, but emotional violence is also present throughout in Rabbi Binders dealing with Ozzie (Roth, N.p). Young Ozzie Freedman’s line at the end of the story “[y]ou should never hit anybody about God” is the overriding context pushing forth from the story (Roth, N.p). In closing Roth provides a thoughtful look at how religious ideals are passed on from generation to generation, though family and religious institutions. Highlighting the restrictions that can often be place on free thought that doesn’t fall in line with historical norms within a religion. Roth’s use of vivid dialogue and thought provoking questions can lead individuals to strive for a deeper understanding of their religion all the while understanding the limitations they must place on their own actions in association with their religion.
The short story, The Rabbi in the Attic, written by Eileen Pollack (Curtis, 1998), enlightens the reader to the difficulties experienced by religious congregations as a whole, in a very regimented and legalistic form or religion. Pollack’s story also alluded to the fact of how ordered types of religions can lead to conflicting views and ideals from within the congregation over the same God (Schultz, 2015). The theme of The Rabbi in the Attic is undeniably about the harmful effects on congregations that adhere to ritual, tradition, stringent religious law and the emotional upheaval that follows dogma (Schultz, 2015). The Biblical allusion in The Rabbi in the Attic was highlighted by the characters and mimicked the adversity experienced by Jesus Christ with the Scribes and Pharisees in the New Testament gospels. Rabbi Heckler could be considered representative of the high priest Caiaphas (Pollack, 1998, p. 237) in enforcing the law, and the congregation, as those being oppressed by the law and wandering in darkness (Pollack, 1998, p. 240). After Rabbi Heckler’s ouster enters orthodox Rabbi Marion Bloomgareten, who represented the essence of reform similar to Jesus Christ (Pollack, 1998, p. 255). Like Christ, Rabbi Bloomgarten
Oxtoby, Willard Gurdon. "Jewish Traditions." World religions: western traditions. 1996. Reprint. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2011. 127-157. Print.
Through previously analysing examples of early Christian anti-Judaism, this chapter provides an insight into the connection between early Christian anti-Judaic attitudes and the Nazi understanding of the Jews. As Ruether contends that Christian anti-Semitism originates from the ‘left hand of Christology’, it will become apparent through analysing Nazi ideology and propaganda how early Christian anti-Judaism is repeated in the Nazi depiction of the Jews. Conversely, it is counter argued by Langmuir that Nazi anti-Semitism differed from early Christian anti-Judaism and therefore was not a continuation of anti-Judaism. He contends that despite the medieval church referring to the Jews as blind to the truth and the symbol of disbelief, medieval authorities did not condone the slaughter of the Jews. Therefore, it can be argued that there is not a direct connection between anti-Judaism and the racial anti-Semitism adopted by the Nazis. In response to Langmuir’s argument, the racial hatred for the Jews expressed by the Nazis, as with any hatred, has to have an origin and a trigger point which generates the feelings of contempt. For example, Christian contempt for Jews originates from the idea that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. Taking this into account, Langmuir’s argument is problematic and this chapter will reveal the repetition of early Christian anti-Judaism in Nazi propaganda. Although the Nazis interpreted the Jews from a racial discriminative standpoint, which was distinct to the early Church Fathers portrayal of the Jews, they used Christian anti-Judaic accusations and stereotypes of Jews to contribute to their portrayal of the Jewish race. This leads to the conclusion that the Nazis were influenced by the...
Shaffern, Robert W. "Christianity and the Rise of the Nuclear Family." {America} 7 May 1994.
Religion and morality exist together in parallel according to Alan Keyes. Alan Dershowitz stated that if religion and morality are not separated, it could have negative discourse. James Fowler followed Piaget, Kohlberg, and Erickson when selecting the stages to his development of faith across the life span. These three men all selected different ways to look at religio...
...f society. The second point of view held that Jews were inherently bad and can never be salvaged despite any and all efforts made by Christians to assimilate them. These Christians felt that there was absolutely no possibility of Jews having and holding productive positions in society. All the aforementioned occurrences lead to the transformation of traditional Jewish communities, and paved the way for Jewish existence, as it is known today. It is apparent, even through the examination of recent history that there are reoccurring themes in Jewish history. The most profound and obvious theme is the question of whether Jews can be productive members of their country and at the same time remain loyal to their religion. This question was an issue that once again emerged in Nazi Germany, undoubtedly, and unfortunately, it is not the last time that question will be asked.
In the “American Holocaust” by David Stannard, Stannard points out how the Spaniards, British, and Americans were treating the indigenous people differently. In chapter 1 of the “American Holocaust,” Stannard talks about how the Europeans main goal was to find and acquire gold. When the Europeans began to arrive in America they began to discover a land that contained a variety of gold. Once they discovered that there was gold they began to establish and did not see the indigenous people as part of the land. Indigenous people were required to work in forced labor and take care of the land however they were not part of the land and did not have their own property, towns and villages. In the first chapter of the American Holocaust Stannard
Smart, Ninian. "Blackboard, Religion 100." 6 March 2014. Seven Dimensions of Religion. Electronic Document. 6 March 2014.
In the fifties, it was assumed of American families to be active Church goers in their respective religions; however, the idea of consensus didn’t quiet live up to its expectations. Families could all be the same through being religious, but still remain separate by believing in different religions. While the idea of consensus was certainly playing a role in that all people were religious, the safe conflict of being different still remained. Goodwin discusses in her book that everyone in her neighborhood was religious, and that her neighbors were active in attending Church services as was her family as well being Catholic. In general, religion laid out how people should behave in a black and white fashion in order to achieve salvation; however, the rules didn’t always match up with what a person wanted to do. For exa...
First, religion has often played an important role in people’s lives, however its significance continues to decrease in recent decades. Parents do not pass on faith or beliefs onto their children, because most parents do not have faith or beliefs. These parents believe it would be hypocritical to teach their children about being spiritual, when they are not spiritual themselves. Children often go to their parents with questions regarding matters such as death, life, and God, but "Western culture is so secularized that parents can evade or dismiss 'religious' questions without feeling that they’re merely getting themselves off the hook" (Brandt 193). In contrast wit...
The growth of religious ideas is environed with such intrinsic difficulties that it may never receive a perfectly satisfactory exposition. Religion deals so largely with the imaginative and emotional nature, and consequently with such an certain elements of knowledge, the all primitive religions are grotesque to some extent unintelligible. (1877:5)
In his short story, “Conversion of the Jews,” Philip Roth illustrates a conflict between faith and reason through a young boy’s endeavors to find the truth. A thirteen-year old Jewish boy, Ozzie, habitually questions Rabbi Binder, since Ozzie’s logical reasoning frequently disagrees with Rabbi Binder’s religious faith. Consequently, Ozzie often finds himself in trouble. One day, he claims that Rabbi Binder “[doesn’t] know anything about God” and runs to the roof, refusing Rabbi Binder and the firemen’s orders to come down. Instead, before jumping down onto the firemen’s yellow net, Ozzie forces the Rabbi, the custodian, his mother, and his classmates to say that they believe in Jesus. Through Ozzie’s refusal
Religion is an organized collection of beliefs and cultural systems that entail the worship of a supernatural and metaphysical being. “Religion just like other belief systems, when held onto so much, can stop one from making significant progress in life”. Together with religion come traditions that provide the people with ways to tackle life’s complexities. A subscription to the school of thought of great scholars
Eastman, Roger. The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions. Third Edition. Oxford University Press. N.Y. 1999
America is a melting pot of culture and race. Thus, bringing many different types of religious faiths to today’s society. Whether the beliefs are ancient, new, reconstructed or if people have no faith at all, it is all in America. It is difficult to scrutinize one religion without it concerning another. All religions have diverse beliefs ranging from; the belief of...