Joshua Berkowitz

Ex-rabbi and professor; has abandoned #god and #religion. His daily insights will appeal to #secular, #humanist, and #atheists on a similar spiritual journey.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Some turn from religion to atheism as rapidly as the brain liquefies after the heart stops beating. Many generations of traditions and decades of learning wasted. For others, the transition may take decades.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Something for religious people to consider: Would an omnibenevolent God (morally perfect) have created a Hell?

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Some see God’s goodness in all: before God banishes Adam and Eve, He gives them clothing made of fig leaves. Others, ask, “That’s all?”

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Some swear that horoscopes are real and organize their lives around them; the same for those who have a god. Are such delusions harmless?

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Some theists tell us why God would send COVID-19 (as a punishment or as a warning), while others tell us to lament - to simply ask why without demanding or expecting a response. But what good is religion if it doesn’t provide an answer?

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Some theists stress man’s search for god; others, highlight god’s search for man. No wonder faith is a type of “lost and found” enterprise.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Sorcery, witchcraft, the vengeance of dead people, and magic spells are often associated with God’s punishment of sin. The mills of God’s grinding are infinite, complex, and creative.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Heaven and Hell are the elephants in the room, so the two topics (mostly Hell) are banished. Those caught in the web of actively engaging or covering up the sex scandals don’t seem to believe in it either.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

History has shown that the practice of denying science because it contradicts one’s beliefs is common. Religious beliefs (especially those that permit deists to wallow in a comforting bubble bath) are often the root of such denials.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Holy books psychoanalyze the god we invent, and the revered commentators “translate” the word of god to fit that image.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Historically, religion has declared that women have poor leadership qualities, are unequal in the eyes of the Law, restricted their reproductive rights, and has stricter clothing requirements for modesty.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

History has repeatedly shown that if god does exist, then He/She/It is deaf to human petitions.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Homer Simpson: “Suppose we’ve chosen the wrong god. Every time we go to church we’re just making him madder and madder.”

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Homosexuality is an example of religion inventing a problem where none existed.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

How many humans have been butchered in conflicts just to assert a specific version of god? If it’s more than one, it is more than enough.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

How much of everyone’s religious beliefs are just expressions of their attitudes?

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

How many more bombings do we have to endure before we recognize the callousness of a god-centric culture?

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

How many of us rebel against our preassigned religious status? Not enough people, I’m afraid.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

How many theists depend on God (by praying) to promote human happiness or social reform (such as gender equality) but look to secular government, free markets, and activism to effect change? Secularists have known these agents all along.

[Joshua Berkowitz @JoshuaBerkowitz]

Human suffering is mostly the result of religiously inspired conflict and religion-based oppression. Yet our focus remains to correct violence, disease and other non-religious evil factors. Why not eliminate the main source of pain?