[Avodah] Question about the Six Constant Mitzvos

[Richard Wolpoe]

On Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:30 AM, Cantor Wolberg <cantorwolberg at cox.net>wrote:

> Of the 613 Mitzvos, there are Six Constant Mitzvos.
> Rather than requiring the performance of a certain action,
> these mitzvos are a state of being, of living with the reality
> of God's existence. The Six Constant Mitzvos are:
>
> * Know there is a God.
> * Don't believe in other gods.
> * God is one.
> * Love God.
> * Fear God.
> * Don't be misled by your heart and eyes.
>
> Here's my question: The first, third, fourth and fifth of the above
> constant mitzvos obviously all deal with God.  I know people who
> are decent, philanthropic, kind, considerate, and observe every law
> of the state, who are "convinced" there is no God. And I'm not speaking
> about a MLT.
> Though many will consider it an oxymoron, there are very ethical atheists
> with impeccable integrity.
>
>
> Can they be punished for not believing in God or what we perceive as an
> apikorus?
>
> As Spiritual Leader, I've been asked this question. I'm not happy with any
> of my responses, but I've answered some using the "tinuk shenishba"
> defense.
> Also, Avos 2:14 was not helpful.
> Any insights?
>
> ri
>


I don't believe that these people really do not accept God.  I have listened
to well-known Atheist Ron Kuby wax positively mystical and rhpasodic in
describing Yankee Stadium and its history and tradition.

My karate instructor Chaim Sober claimed HIS teacher denied the denial of
God. to paraphrase "not deny God but ANGRY at God"  So Atheists are Angry at
God is HIS way of phrasing it.

IMHO most contemporary Atheists don't really deny God. They deny religion,
any religion and any religiously based dcefinition of God.  But deep down,
I'll bet that 99% of them are more akin to the 18th Century Deists than they
are really positive atheists.


Anyone who listens to thei "consience" is in asense listening to God

Yet still there whispers the small voice within, Heard through Gain's
> silence, and o'er Glory's din; Whatever creed be taught or land be trod,
> Man's conscience is the oracle of God.
> Author: Lord Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron)<http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/Lord-Byron-%28George-Gordon-Noel-Byron%29/1/index.html>
> Source: *The Island (canto I, st. 6)*


http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/Conscience/index.html


Of course Atheists might DENY that their consience is from God, but some
people are in Denial of their obesity, aclohlism, gambling problems etc.  So
I would venture to say that anyone  who does the "right thing" becuase they
have an active consience are realyl Listening to the  voice of God within in
even if their conscience is unconsious of the connexion.

Only a psychopath could deny God and REALLY mean it.


That said, I don't deny that denying God is undeniably heresy!  I jsut deny
that the deniars are denying God so much as that the yare in denial of their
"goodness" of their "Godness"


In New Age Terms, those Atheists who are moral/ethical and listening to
thier inner voice are in touch with thier HIGHER SELF.  This is AIUI a
manifestation of HKBH within us, perhaps part of our soul structure, akin to
he Super-Ego or simply the yetzer tov but it is more than JUST a yetzer tov
it is something spiritual rather than merely an advisor..


-- 
Kol Tuv / Best Regards,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
see: http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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