Gabriela's Final Presentation

Gabriela’s blog taught me many things that I had never known before. For example, I had never heard of a “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy.” Gabriela stated that this means, “It forbids homosexuals in the military from revealing their sexual orientation and others from "asking" about it while in the military.” I had assumed that our country was much more accepting of gays today. They are part of mainstream America’s TV shows, accepted much more within both politics and social life. However, this policy made me realize that America still has a long way to go. Would someone actually respect a solider risking his life for his country less because he is gay? That sounds ridiculous to me. And according to Gabriela’s statistics, 7 out of 10 America’s would agree with me. Another thing I found very interesting was the pros and cons of legalizing same sex marriage. Many people argued that same sex marriage is a civil right issue. However, those against it have reasons such as religion, and compromising tradition. Church and state are supposed to be separate within America, therefore religious beliefs should not be a determining factor as to whether gays and lesbians should legally be banned from being married. It is also interesting that many people are against it because it compromises traditions such as the union of men and women and children’s happiness. America is a country that grows from change. For example, technology is a change that goes against many traditions, yet we accept it. If you had gone back 60 years and asked someone if blacks should be allowed in the same schools as whites, they would have rejected the idea because it was not the way things worked. Yet look at the country today, that tradition is broken. Therefore, I think that lesbians and gays have hope in the future of being accepted.

Alyssa's Final Presentation

I had always known that Child Labor existed throughout the world. However, I never knew how severe the issue actually was. For example, there are 246,000,000 kids who are working 77 hour a week jobs. In America, children rarely work and the average person’s work week is around 44 hours. Children ¼ the age of an average working person are working double the amount of time, and for much less money. The videos within this showed a lot of poverty, injury, and over hardships. It really made me consider my life. Thinking about it, I don’t think that there is any way that I could possibly live, let alone live happily, on only $2 an hour. I earn around $60 dollars babysitting in one night, which is how much these children would make a week. However, child labor has not been as common within the United States. The blog talks about how there was child labor during the great depression, working in sweat shops. Even these children were earning more than child labors do today. Therefore, I never thought that the United States could truly do anything to help. However, the blog stated that many popular companies employ and promote child labors overseas. For example, Nike and Gap are two stores that I have shopped at in my past, and two stores who I learned employ child labors. This is truly sad and makes me re-think even shopping there again. It almost says something about America; material things are more valuable than human life. These children make a choice that people in Deerfield would never have to think twice about, work or food. America is in need of jobs, and therefore a possible solution is to bring jobs back to the United States and to stop employing children. At the same time, the blog also points out the possibilities that could happen if child labor is completely eliminated. It could leave more children homeless, and increase poverty. Basically, child labor is a lose- lose situation: you go hungry or you work.

Jill's Final Presentation

I have always looked at music as a way for people to express emotions, ideas, and stories. However, I never thought of music as a way for people to come together. One of the biggest ways that this blog portrayed this idea was through the video, “We Are the World.” This song was sung as a fundraiser for Haiti. Different styles of music, and many, many famous people, all came together in order to support a country in need. These styles of music that often separate people came together to make an extremely powerful song that truly touched many people. However, this video also showed that Music does not just unite a Nation, but the world. People were using music as a fundraiser. By singing, people were taking action towards helping, not just saying they wanted to help. This fundraiser allowed America to show its support for Haiti in a time that it was most needed. As the blog said, music allowed American’s to come together for humanity. I also found it very interesting that music was seen as a way to feel free. According to the short story that was mentioned in this presentation, “Sonny’s Blues,” gave the character a chance to feel limitless. No one had any control over his music, and he was truly free to express his own thoughts. The blog said that the character felt that there were not racial boundaries. Music is words that are sung and words that are expressed with true passion. I think it is very unique that a change in the way as idea is expressed, such as through music, could give Sonny the chance to feel true freedom. The blog shows how music has grown over the years, and that different types of music have been created throughout history. One of the most popular and recent genres of music is rap. This blog brings up a big idea as to whether rap influences violence, or whether it is just another form of expression. Rap is one of the most blunt and vivid genres of music. However, I think that it is a form of expression just like any other type of music. I think that Music is one of the most honest ways to express an idea. Rap, like many other genres, is a form of music that expresses true America. Just because there is violence and harsh ideas within Rap does not mean that they are wrong, and more importantly confronts the idea that violence and bad things do happen in America. Music expresses the truth.

CURRENT EVENT ANALYTIC ENTRY

Religion within America is constantly running into new challenges. One of the greatest challenges today is religious tolerance. In today’s society, religious beliefs affect American's acceptance. America’s religious beliefs are more diverse than ever. However, an ironic trend today is out casting Religions that are minorities. In America, the majority vote holds the most influence. With religions such as Christianity leading religion in the country, less popular religions are often looked down upon. “Buddhists and people without a religion are all viewed more warily by Americans." All of these religions are religions that do not have as many followers within America. Since these religions hold ideas that do not necessarily agree with the majorities’ religious ideas, they are looked at as wrong. Though, these actions are supported by the Constitution. Our Constitution guarantees all citizens the rights to practice free religion, but it also entitles American's to freedom of their own thoughts and ideas. Because of their strong beliefs of their own religion, many American’s are unwilling to accept and tolerate other ideas that do not correspond with their beliefs. "Prohibitions against worshipping other gods have led to intolerance, hatred, and even destruction of those who have other religious beliefs." Many choose to justify their beliefs by trying to disprove, or eliminate other religions. An example of this could be extremists. Many extremists use teachings of their religion, and twist them into a belief that their religion promotes violence towards those who do not agree with their ideas. American Religion struggles for tolerance. The constant idea of intolerance causes religious conflict. However, recently, there are more and more people who are not tolerating the idea of religion all together. This group of people is known as Atheists. Atheists have a need for a logical truth. People who chose to generate their own ideas might find that their religious beliefs do not necessarily support their ideas, thus leading them to look at their religion as limiting. Atheists do not find the ideas of faith enough. The idea of science and religion then comes into play. Many people do not agree with scientific teachings such as evolution because those ideas are not supported by the Bible. However, Atheists accept science for the exact same reason. The idea that there is a physical proof to explain something is the evidence they use to create their beliefs causes past to disappear with concepts that science illustrated. They do not see how one could argue that something is false or wrong when it is physically proven. "A person with integrity doesn't claim to know supernatural things that he or she doesn't know. An honest person wants solid evidence to support assertions, and is leery of baseless claims." This supports the idea that Atheists do not believe in faith or religious teachings because there is no backbone of evidence to support it. Thus leading them to believe that one who believes something solely because of faith is ignorant. However, the majority of American society looks down upon Atheists because they believe in faith and the Bible. There is on right idea. Mitt Romney illustrated an understanding and acceptance that different religions exist. "Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance." Romney illustrates here that people must accept that with diversity comes different religions, ideas, and beliefs. America is a country run by the people. These people are made up of every majority and minority. Therefore, Romney’s concept is important. If America wants to continue to thrive, people should not be focusing on what they disagree with about certain religions. Instead, Romney conveys the idea that religion is part of America's diversity, and that diversity will continue to thrive only if different religions or beliefs can learn to accept one another.

BACKGROUND ANALYTIC ENTRY

The Founding fathers came to America motivated by a want for freedom and choice. One of the most sought after freedoms was the freedom of religion. The bill of rights defends religious freedom within the first Amendment. Some of the earliest religious groups within America were the Pilgrims and the Puritans. Although these groups of people were searching for religious freedom, they ironically were very spiteful towards other religions which did not correlate with their beliefs. There was a mass expansion of different religious from the time of the founding fathers to throughout the nineteenth century. Protestants were another early religious group within America who supported the beliefs of Christianity. This religious group influenced Mormonism, who identified with Christianity, yet believed that churches needed a major reform. Immigration was also a large contributing factor to the diversity religions that America has today. Immigration brought new religions to America such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. However, each new religion that arrived into America had a common connection: intolerance. The Pilgrims and Puritans didn’t like other beliefs or religions, The protestants looked down upon the Mormon’s. Jews faced hostility, and even more recent religions such as Islam face intolerance. Religions had to work up a group of people to support them, and uphold the beliefs within those religions. New religions with differing ideas pose a threat to “more established” religions because those established religions feel as if their power and way of life is being threatened. However, it is not only new religious groups that had faced, and still face, religious intolerance. Take for example, the idea of church and state. Throughout history there has been a great debate on how and if religious values should affect a certain society. However, with the many religions within the United States. Therefore, one religion controlling ideas, education, and society, cannot satisfy all people within the United States. However. history shows that the government does not always enforce the ideas of separation of church and state. Fundamentalists argued that Darwin’s theory of evolution did not support the bible, and their religious beliefs. Therefore, teaching the theories of evolution were banned from many schools. This supports the idea that although we live in a country full “freedom,” the “religious majority” still have a more powerful influence. Even today, religious beliefs and conflicts are growing. The pledge of Allegiance includes the controversial words, "Under God." "President Dwight Eisenhower stated, 'Everybody should have religious faith, and I don't care what it is." However, who is one man to say what a whole country should believe in? Even The Declaration of Independence suggests a belief in a God many times. Most if not all who came to the New World shared common beliefs. Since they were the majority, they assumed that everyone in future eras would have the same beliefs. Escaping England was not so much escaping their beliefs but giving themselves the freedom to choose what they want to believe. Religion continues to grow within the country. A majority influences religion, and what are accepted by “our country.” However, as the Founding Fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution suggest, America is a country full of diversity, freedom, and equality, and therefore, no one idea or religion should control a whole country.

LITERARY ANALYTICAL RESPONSE

The character Ozzie, a young 13 year old Jewish boy, helps illuminate many connections between religions that seem very different. Take for example, Jesus. Jews believe that Jesus existed, but they believe he was human just like they were. Christian’s however, believe that Jesus was both human and God. They believe that Jesus was the Messiah, while Jews still believe that the messiah has yet to come. Catholics believe that Jesus is God, and is also the son of God. They believe that Mary was a virgin, and that Jesus was the miracle. However, Jews do not believe that it was possible for Mary to have a baby without intercourse. These stories are so similar, yet so different. The same idea is interpreted two different ways, creating two different religions. This is many ways can explain the tension between Jews and Christians. Jews believe one thing, Christians believe another, and both believe that the others are wrong. The idea of having faith as support for beliefs is often followed within religions. Most people accept a certain religious idea or belief because that is what they are told to, and they trust their faith to bring the right beliefs. The character Ozzie, however, is very different. He is willing to challenge his religious ideas. “"' I asked Binder (the Rabbi) if he could make all that in six days, and he could pick the six days he wanted out of nowhere, why couldn't He let a woman have a baby without intercourse.” Ozzie is very similar to an atheistic way of thinking in such way that he needs a logical answer. If God could create everything on this earth, how is it that his religion could support the belief that God could create a baby without intercourse? When he says this idea to his Rabbi, however, it is instantly rejected. It is not that the rabbi has any kind of proof against what Ozzie suggests, simply that his faith tells him that it is not possible. The rabbi represents a majority of religious followers who are content with faith as evidence. This faith in his religious ideas even causes the Rabbi to slap Ozzie for suggesting terrible things about God. “You don’t know, you don’t know anything about God!... Rabbi Binder’s hand flicked out at Ozzie’s cheek.” Many religions do not support the idea of questing God. They look at God as the most superior being, the almighty power. To question God is not only looked at as immoral, but as ignorant, and insulting. However, it may have been the fact that these ideas were forced upon Ozzie that caused him to rebel. Ozzie like many atheists may have felt that his religion limited his ideas and beliefs. Ozzie, a Jew, felt that he could agree more with Christianity’s teachings about Jesus. In an act of rebellion Ozzie locks himself on a roof top of his synagogue with his peers and Rabbi left watching his every move at the bottom. Ozzie now has a sense of power, and personal influence. Ozzie has control over his own religious beliefs, and can force others to say what he wants them to. He threatens that if they do not, he will jump. Although this was not Ozzie’s immediate idea, he uses the threat of violence, and jumping off the roof, as a way to explain and justify his religious beliefs. More than that, Ozzie is doing the exact thing that he hated most about religion, he is forcing people to admit a belief that they do not truly believe in. “He made them say that they all believed in Jesus Christ- first one at a time, then all together.” To his peers, these Christian beliefs do not make sense to them, just as Ozzie’s Jewish beliefs had not made sense to him. However, Ozzie is forcing those people to admit to certain beliefs because HE believes that they are right. More ironically, Ozzie’s character illustrates the exact opposite ideas of those he had when standing on the roof. He said, “Promise you'll never hit anyone over God" (20). This idea goes far beyond a physical slap. It supports the concept that people should not be punished for believing something, even if other religious ideas to not agree with them. This concept further implies that each person should have their own ideas, and create their own beliefs about God.

CURRENT EVENT: "ATHEISM BENEFITS SOCIETY"

What if one was asked, what is the meaning of life? How would they answer? Author James A. Haught says that an appropriate and acceptable answer would be "I don't know." Within the article, the author describes why he became an Atheist, and why Atheism can be beneficial. He believed that Atheists are among the most honest people. He claims that Atheists do not solely invest their ideas in beliefs that cannot be proven. "Nobody actually knows where beliefs come from." Implying that faith can only prove so much. Like many Atheists, the author relies on physical evidence. Many religious followers base their ideas off of their faith, and the things that their religions have taught them to accept and believe. However, the author helps illustrate the idea that many people do not believe in a certain religion because they need logic. Their ideas only take them so far, and therefore evidence, or some logical understand of how and why things happen cause them to identify as Atheists. Religion ideas do not satisfy their want for proof and logic. "It was a revelation explaining much of existence. Science became an obsession, a portal to understanding reality. Slowly, religion's claims of invisible gods, devils, heavens, hells, angels, demons, miracles and messiahs turned into fairy tales." To the author, this physical proof created his beliefs and ideas. Past faiths in things such as miracles and messiahs disappeared with the concepts that science illustrated. As the author illustrates, many Atheists use religion as an example of why faith could be false. The author uses examples such as earthquakes, wars, suicide bombings, etc., and tries to contradict the ideas of religion by stating things such as, "No compassionate creator would devise killer earthquakes and hurricanes." Furthermore, the author illustrates that the root of his atheism is distrust, and doubt. "Religion offers no proof except writings left by long-dead holy men." These writings are not enough proof in his mind. He doubts their holiness and the ideas they convey because there is no logical evidence that says he should. Faith is not enough to him. "A person with integrity doesn't claim to know supernatural things that he or she doesn't know. An honest person wants solid evidence to support assertions, and is leery of baseless claims." Within his claim he implies that those who believe in religious ideas and faith are actually the wrong ones. There is no logic behind their ideas, and they are passing along an unproven, possibly false message. Therefore, in the author's mind, honesty and integrity come from those who have cold, hard, logical, proof.

James A. Haught. "Atheism Benefits Society." Opposing Viewpoints: Atheism. Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 10 Feb. 2010 .

OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS: "RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE CAN LEAD TO WAR"

This article opens with the irony that people can use religion as an excuse for violence. This exact idea has been brought up many times latley. For example, many extremists use teachings of their religion, and twist them into a belief that their religion promotes violence towards those who do not agree with their ideas. However, the article also states, "American culture has been much improved by its foundation of the bible." It argues that the bible has helped create and shape America's ethics, laws, family, and even religious tolerance. However, again this brings up the idea of has it truly helped improve America for everyone? Not everyone believes in the bible, or its teachings. However, because the majority of society does, the bible is seen as one of the greatest influences upon American culture. The article also argues that the bible promotes peace and well being among different religions. However, it also argues that within today's society, those messages of tolerance are forgotten, and burried under other ideas. "Prohibitions against worshipping other gods have led to intolerance, hatered, and even destruction of those who have other religious beliefs." People believe so strongly in their own religions that they are not willing to tolerate the concept that not everyone believes in those ideas. Therefore, many who do not agree are looked down upon. The article brings up a very interesting point. "If I am really right and you disagree, then YOU must be wrong." This is the root of intolerance. Because one believes their ideas are right, they will support the ideas that everyone else is wrong. One of the most well know forms of religious predjuice is anti-semitism. For centuries Jews have been the targets of religious hatred. This hatred often times creates outrageous presumptions about the Jewish religion. PResumptions like Jews have horns and tails, that they who are doctors want to spread AIDS, that Jews want to take over the world, etc. People are willing to believe about a religion if that religion does not agree with their own. However, the article also clearly points out that the Jews are not complelty innocent either. They too can hate other religions, and can be unwilling to accept others religious beliefs, such as Christanity. They believe in their religion, and therefore religions such as christanity who do not agree are wrong. "Religious intolerance and hatred is not a one- way street." However, there are still many within America who are bostful about their igonrance towards other religions. It gives the example of a profesor teachign at an all catholic school. He told his students he was JEwish, and one of his students replied, "Well, where are your horns and tail?" MAny do not see it as necessarily wrong to act this way. They believe that their religion is somethign that should be respected, honored. Disagreeing with those who do not support that religion is okay because they look at it as doing nothing more then defending, and supporting their own.

Brooks, Roger. "Religious Intolerance Can Lead to War." Opposing Viewpoints: War. Ed. Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 10 Feb. 2010 .

NEWS CURRENT EVENT: "TOLERANCE? WE HAVE WAYS TO GO"

Our Constitution guarantees all citizens the rights to practice free religion, but it also entitles American's to freedom of their own thoughts and ideas. Within this article, Mitt Romney and his presidential campaign can be used as a prime example. The article states that one of the things that impacted Romney's nomination most negatively was the fact that he was a Mormon. He is a key example of American's supporting their own beliefs. Many American's still do not look positively upon Mormon's. Therefore, many American's did not vote for Romney because they did not want the leader of their country to be a Mormon. However, the article also states, "Polls show that Muslims, Buddhists and people without a religion are all viewed more warily by Americans." Again the ironic idea of America being free and diverse comes into play. Because American's have freedom of ideas, they choose what things (in this case religions) they want to be accepted. However, isn't it even more odd that even with equal rights a majority still has an influence. American's will not accept these religions often times because they are minorities. Without a majority supporting such religious beliefs, these religious minorities cannot expect to be completely accepted by "American Societies." A study of tests was done to see how much a religious belief played into the way other American's looked at religious minorities. They used Romney's statements on a survey and asked whether a citizen would vote for that candidate. Some surveys included that Romney was a Mormon, some included that he was a church leader, etc. This affected many people's votes. Many people in America today do not even accept that Mormon's are Christens. Simply, religion beliefs do affect American's acceptance. Although, maybe being part of a minority isn't always a bad thing. Romney stated, "Each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. These are not bases for criticism but rather a test of our tolerance." Romney illustrates within this that he realizes that each religion is different, and that not all beliefs will agree. Each religion has history, and ideas that support the belief's their followers hold today. He also has gained one central, important, idea that American's much accept if we want religion within the country to succeed: Just because certain religions believe certain things does not make those religions wrong. We should not be focusing on what we disagree with about certain religions. Instead, Romeny conveys the idea that religion is part of America's diversity. That diversity will only remain if religions can learn to get along instead of judging people based on those differing beliefs.

Campbell, David E, John C. Green and J. Quin Monson. "Tolerance? We have a ways to go.(NEWS)." USA Today. (Nov 30, 2009): 21A. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 9 Feb. 2010 .

NEWS CURRENT EVENT: "NO RELIGION, NO PROBLEM"

With the number of different religions within America it is quite surprising to find out that 1 in 5 Americans do not believe in any kind of God or religion. USA Today stated that "No religion" is the fastest growing religion within the United States Today. Well, I'd say thats quite ironic. The article stated, "More people are willing to identify themselves as being outside of religion or without belief in a supernatural being." In a country such as America where people have the freedoms to create and follow their own beliefs, this is not surprising. Many people may see religion as something that limits their beliefs. People who chose to generate their own ideas might find that their religious beliefs do not necessarily support their ideas, thus leading them to look at their religion as limiting, and completely disown their religious identities. The article also points to the idea that, "I am hoping that this new survey will help bring much-needed changes in the relations between the faithful and those who are outside of the established faiths." This idea leads back the idea of outcasting or looking down upon people based on their beliefs. If those "atheists" ideas do not agree with the ideas of a certain religion, atheists are often looked down upon as being bad, unfaithful, or outcasted. "Americans rank atheists as the most disliked minority group in the country." Again supporting a "my way or the highway concept." Religious followers look at atheists as random, unsupported, untrue ideas. Many times it seems this way because religious believers may feel threatened by the idea that a new form of society is rising, and it is a society who does not share their belief of the importance of God. However, the article illustrates that atheists are just as civil and normal as anyone else. They have families, jobs, beliefs. Just because they are part of a minority does not make their beliefs any less righteous or wrong then any other religion. America has a bad habit of secluding many minorities because although we live in one of the freest countries in the world, we live in a country full of majorities ideas of a "norm."

Lalli, Nica. "No religion? No problem.(NEWS)(United States' religious groups)." USA Today. (April 6, 2009): 15A. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 9 Feb. 2010 .

THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS - PHILIP ROTH

Although the main character, Ozzie, is only 13 years old, he has a very mature way of thinking about religion and the world. In the beginning of the short story, Ozzie shows both the connections and differences of Judaism and Christanity. When attending Sunday school, his Rabbi explained to Ozzie that the Jews believe that Jesus existed, but they believe he was human just like they were. However, his Rabbi also explained that Catholics believe that Jesus is God, and is also the son of God. They believe that Mary was a virgin , and that Jesus was the miricle. However, the Rabbi says that Jews do not believe that it was possible for Mary to have a baby without intercorse. Ozzie has a want for deeper knowledge. On many occasions he has challenged the things that his Rabbi has said. Ozzie understands what the Rabbi is explaning, but he cannot grasp the concept that God could not create a child without intercorse but could create so many other miricles. Ozzie stated, "' I asked Binder (the Rabbi) if he could make all that in six days, and he could pick the six days he wanted out of nowhere, why couldn't He let a woman have a baby without intercorse?" (pg 5). Ozzie is unique from his peers because he is willing to challenge beliefs. He does not just say he believes something because an authority told him to. Ozzie goes back to a memory where he challenged the Rabbi and his idea of Jews being the Chosen People. Ozzie cannot make sense of the idea that the Decleration of Independence says that all men are created equal, but the Jews call themselves the "Chosen People." He couldnt comprehend that when a plane crashed, his grandmother only mourned for the Jews who died. He shouted in his hebrew school class that he wished all 58 people were Jews. Both of these times, Ozzie's mother needed to come into school. Ozzie is looking for logic, something that will make everything make sense. What Ozzie does not realize is that religion is faith. Not everything necessarily makes sense, but it is a belieg that one follows if they have faith in a certain idea or God. But Ozzie needed to understand God. When the Rabbi tried to answer his questions, he did it based on Jewish ideas. However, in Ozzie;s mind the Rabbi was not understanding god. "Ozzie suspected that he had memorized the prayers and forgotten about God" (7). Ozzie didnt feel that the Rabbi understood God because he could not answer Ozzie's questions. When Ozzie tells the Rabbi he doesnt know God, the Rabbi slaps him accross the face. Ozzie runs out of the building locking himself on the roof. When he is up on the ledge, he is not even thinking about jumping. He needed to be alone and to try and make sense of his beliefs and ideas. While his friends cheer for him to jump, the Rabbi and his mother cry and beg for him to get down. He orders everyone to kneel down and admit that they believe in Jesus. Although he did not realize it, he was acting as if he was God. He was ordering people to do as he wanted. He many times refered to the Rabbi and his ideas as a dictator. However, Ozzie is trying to control peoples ideas and beliefs, in essence acting like a dictator. Even more odd is that Ozzie is a 13 year old Jewish boy trying to convince people that Jesus's birth was possible. Ozzie's belief that God could create earth, light, wind... create Ozzie's belief that Mary was a Virgin, and that Jesus was a God. His last idea that he tells everyone, especially his mother, who had slapped him for questioning the Rabbi at hebrew school, was that "You'll never hit anyone over God" (20). This idea goes far beyond a physical slap. He is saying that people should not be punbished for believing something, and that each person should have the own ideas and create their own beliefs about god. Religion is an influence to beliefs, but it should not limit ones ideas or beliefs.

From The Book :"Modern Jewish Stories" Edited by Gerda Charles
(Short Story: "The Conversion of Jews" by Philip Roth

PRIMARY SOURCE - REFORMED JUDAISM

Freedom of religion not only offered people the right to follow a religion of their choice, but how they chose to believe in a specific religion. A large example of this is Judaism. Originally, the only type of Judaism that was acknowledged was Orthodox Judaism. Reform Judaism was created by a group of Jewish businessmen. They argued, "We wish not to overthrown but to rebuild; we wish not to destroy but to reform and revise the evils complained of; we wish not to abandon the institutions of Moses but to understand and observe them" This idea is so interesting because it directly connects to the idea of modernizing a religion. These business men argued that the idea that prayers were only to be read and preformed in hebrew would eventually cause modern day Jews to stop following the religion. They argued that the most popular language within the United States was English. Most Jews within that time period who were living in America chose English as their first language. Therefore, they argued that if they wanted Judaism to continue to remain a strong and followed religion, they needed to make Judaism more modernized. They argued that their were certain tradidions that were too difficult to practice within American society. Therefore, they needed to keep the most important traditions, and modernize the traditions that would challenge maintaining a Jewish Society.

"The Beginning of Reform Judaism," Annals of American History.

THE GROWTH OF RELIGION

Freedom of religion first began when The Founding fathers came to the New World. In doing so, they created the Bill of Rights, which included an amendment stating that citizens have the right to freedom of religion. One of the first major religious groups were known as the Protestants. American Protestants believed that through conversion to Christianity, past sins would be forgiven, and avoided. This idea is very interesting because it illustrates how Christan's believe in Jesus. Many believe that Jesus died for their sins, and therefore their sins are forgiven. The Protestants illustrated that even if one was not originally Christan, their sins could still be forgiven if they converted to Christianity. Protestant's influenced a new religious group within the 19th Century known as the Mormons. During this time, many Mormon's believed that corrupt churches needed to be reformed. They also believed that the end of the world would come when Jesus Christ appears on earth again, otherwise known as millennialism. Perfectionism, the idea that people could live sinless lives, is was also part of Mormon's beliefs. Religion continued to change drastically during a period of great immigration. Before the 19th century, most immigrants came from English, Scottish, or German backgrounds. However, during the period of the 19th century, many Catholics and Jews immigrate4d into the United States. The number of the Catholics immigrating grew so much that Catholicism was the largest denomination within the country. However, in many ways this large income of new religious influences posed a threat to Protestants. This could be because new religious influences took away some of the power that Protestant's had, and threatened a way of life that they were used to living. Judaism has never been a large part of America's population. Two major groups of Jews came to America. The Sephardic Jews, and the Ashkenazim Jews. Sephardi Jews originally came from Spain, where Ashkenazim Jews originated primarily from Germany. However, the Holocaust caused over 2 million Jews to immigrate to the united states. Again, because Judaism was another religious influence coming to the United States, Jews faced hostility from both Christan's and Protestant's who felt that their power and originally way of life was being threatened. However, during the 19th century, Jews were not the only ones who were being out casted because of their religion. Slaves were often forced and influenced to follow the Bible. They slaves believed that the bible made them equal because they followed the same beliefs, and had the same God as their masters. For example, Nat Turner used the idea of religious equality and freedom as an influence over his actions. However, what is more interesting is the way slave owners looked at influencing Christianity. The believed that "it helped them maintain discipline over their slaves." Included in this struggle for religious reform were the Native Americans. The US government forced Native Americans onto reservations. Native Americans however found a new way to support their religions. They created something called "ghost religions" which included preforming rituals they believed that their lands would be restored, and believed that spiritually their ancestors would come back to earth. Religion again transformed after the theory of evolution was brought to attention. Many religions were uncomfortable with the idea that evolution did not correspond with their beliefs. One of the most well known groups were called the Fundamentalists. They rejected Darwin's theory of evolution, and even went so far as to ban the teaching of evolution in schools. This idea connects to the issues of church and state. By banning the teachings of evolution, church was in many ways influencing the state. After World War II, many Jewish immigrants arrived in America, increasing the Jewish population more then ever before. Islam presented itself in America around the time of the 1960s. The Islamic religion has many different Muslim groups, however, they all believe in the five pillars. Light was truly shined on Islam during Civil Rights. Malcom X was a strong leader of the blacks, and used the religion of Islam to influence many of his beliefs and actions. He believed that Islam provided true freedom and equality. Even today, religious beliefs and conflicts are growing. The pledge of Allegiance includes the controversial words, "Under God." "President Dwight Eisenhower stated, 'Everybody should have religious faith, and I don't care what it is." However, who is one man to say what a whole country should believe in?

"Religion in the United States." American history. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2010.
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FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Ever since the creation of America, the idea of whether religion should be an influence of American culture has been controversial. One intresting idea is when the idea of God is included within legal documents. For example, the Decleration of Independence refers to the idea of God many times. However, within the Constitution, there is no presence God, or an idea of God. To eliminate the possibility of a a National Church, the Bill of Rights was created. One of the most well know Amendments within the Bill of Rights was the First Amendment which clearly states that each American has a freedom of religion. However, a well known clause that helps protect the idea of freedom of religion. There are some people who believe that church and state must remain seperate. However, there are many others who believe that religious benifits do not negetavily impact "the state." The Supreme Court has often had to deal with what is acceptable within the relationship of Church and State. For example, within the court case of Abington vs. Schempp, The court defended the seperation of church and state by banning a school to require daily readings from the bible. However, there were also cases in which the court allowed religion to influence schools. For example, in the court case Wisconsin vs. Yoder, the court allowed Amish children to stop attending school after 8th grade because the Amish believed that education taught in these schools did not agree with their own beliefs. However, it is agreed that even in America today, the freedom of religion is still fully supported by the goverment.

"freedom of religion." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .

SETTLING FOR DETERMINISM

Both the Pilgrams and the Puritans left England so that they could could live by their own religious beliefs. However, the Pilgrims left England as soon as they possibly could because they believed that leaving England would allow them to
successfully obtain "individual righeousness". However, something that was extremly intresting was the idea that although Pilgrims were searching for religious freedom, they were only accepting of those who agreed with their religious beliefs. Those who were trying to practice other religious beliefs were often outcasted. The Puritans, however, went about religious reform in a different way. They wanted to reform the Church of England while remaining withing the Church. They believed that the Church was not the same as it was dureing Christ's era, and wanted to return it to that states of purity. However, like the Pilgrims, once they went to the New World, they too only accepted those who agreed with their beliefs.

"Settling for Determinism, 1605-1760 (Overview)." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .