[Avodah] theologically motivated?

[Joseph Kaplan]

RnTK:
> As a sociological matter I note that there are certain Modern
> Orthodox Jews or YU types who suffer from what I have called bifurcated
> minds....
..
> To give specific examples of what I mean, the bifurcated people are
> "personally opposed" to abortion and gay marriage but take it as a point
> of pride to be in favor of legalized abortion throughout nine months of
> pregnancy and in favor of legalized gay marriage.? The bifurcated people
> are opposed to teaching anything in the public schools about the origin
> of life or the origin of the universe that even remotely smacks of a
> Designer or anything other than random chance. They are opposed even
> though in one half of their minds (the Shabbos half) they do believe in
> a Creator. But this must not be even hinted at in public school or in
> the university or any public space, oh no!

As someone from Teaneck (I can't speak for Hollywood FL), my mind may be
bifurcated, but on the issues raised it's not between kodesh and chol;
it's between kodesh and constitution. IOW, I believe that God created
the world. But I recognize that this is a religious belief that is not
shared by many other American citizens. And my understanding of the
first amendment is that religious beliefs should not be taught in public
schools. (I don't wish to discuss that understanding of the constitution
here. If you disagree that's fine, but if you understand constitutional
law you also know that my understanding is a valid (perhaps not the
valid but a valid) understanding of the constitution.)

Thus, as a matter of Jewish belief, I believe in a creator and want
my yeshivot to teach my children and grandkids this religious belief,
which, indeed, was/is the case. But as a matter of constitutional
law, I do not think that religious belief should be taught in public
schools. Or, similarly, that public prayer should be allowed in public
schools. (Similar analyses can be also be made for abortion and gay
marriage.)

BTW, I believe in a creator and prayer even during the week and not only
on Shabbat.

Joseph
Sent from my iPhone