Five Questions About Religion

Q. If religion is the way, does every path end correctly?

A. Of course not every path ends correctly. Paths are blazed and trod by humans, and humans are imperfect. Some things humans do will end well, while others will end rather poorly.

Q. Islam and Christianity were two religions that were influenced by Judaism and each of them showed their results – Islam with terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and Christianity by causing the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, etc. Isn't the root of all extremism in the beliefs of these religions?

A. I don't believe that the root of all extremism lies in any religion, or in religion generally. I believe it lies in the human heart. If humans weren't fighting over religion, they'd be fighting over something else, like race or nationality. Humans have even gone to war over the economic ideologies of capitalism vs. communism. A difference in ideologies isn't limited to the realm of theology.

Q. Does religion fail to care for its followers?

A. Don't confuse "religion" and "religious people." Religion is a concept; the best it can do is tell its adherents to care for others. It’s up to the people who belong to a religion to follow its dictates. If they fail to do so, that's a flaw in the people, not in the religion.

Q. Is introspection useful?

A. Yes, of course. We call it cheshbon hanefesh ("an accounting of the soul") and it's an integral part of the self-improvement process.

Q. Are reforms good or not?

A. Asking if reform is good or not is a forced choice. It's like asking if Constitutional amendments are good or not. The 13th amendment abolished slavery – that was a good thing. The 18th amendment instituted prohibition – they figured out pretty quickly that was a mistake. Welfare reform, prison reform – these are potentially good things. Other types of reform can be bad. But there's no One True Answer.

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Rabbi Jack's book Ask Rabbi Jack is available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.