Jewish Rejuvenation Movement - Recently Updated Pages

World Religions At A Glance

BettyJSimmons — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:06:25 CDT

How Do I Know That G-d Is In My Religious/Spiritual Learning?

When comparing and contrasting popular views on how G-d has communicated "his" will
(no specific gender implication is applied here) to us as an intellectual human family,
critical considerations are:

Negatives:

Does it place my "personal salvation" before the salvation of the community?
Does it emphasize human control over SUPER-natural events which have never been

duplicated again in world history?

Is it founded on impossible and/or UN-natural physical relationships between creatures,

beasts, super-human entities, etc?

Does it emphasize prayer, sacrifice, statuary or any other means of "idolizing" any other

human (living or dead) or in-animate object?

Does it allow for multiple gods?
Does it profess to know with 100% certainty the mind, thinking and physical place or

places where G-d is and is not?

Positives:

Does it place others' needs and desires over my own?
Does it emphasize daily practice that allows for a continuous learning and recall

process that takes place in the bedroom, bathroom, family room, board room, as well as
at the dinner table?

Does it allow for personal growth, purposeful living and meaningful personal, as well as

professional relationships?

Does it encourage and educate me in personal, family and community leadership.
Is all that it speaks to naturally occurring?
Does it allow for unknowns?
Is the characteristic of "respect/reverence" utmost not only for G-d, each other, but also

toward our earthly home?

Religion/Sect/ Belief System	Origins & History	Adherents Worldwide (approx.)	God(s) and Universe 1	Human Situation and Life's Purpose 2	Afterlife 4	Practices 3	Favorable Rating (Higher is Better)
Aladura	Various prophet-healing churches founded since c.1918, West Nigeria.	1 million	Generally monotheistic; a mix of Anglican, Pentecostal and traditional African beliefs.	Strong emphasis on healing and salvation in this life through prayer, fasting and other rituals.	Not emphasized; views vary.	Spiritual healing is central. Mix of Anglican and African rituals; a prophet plays a prominent role.	7
Asatru	Revival of Norse and Germanic paganism, 1970s Scandinavia and USA.	unknown	Polytheistic, Norse gods and goddesses, Norse creation myths.	Salvation or redemption not emphasized. Fatalistic view of universe.	Valhalla (heaven) for death in battle; Hel (peaceful place) for most; Hifhel (hell) for the very evil.	Sacrifice of food or drink, toast to the gods, shamanism (less frequently), celebration of solstice holidays. Nine Noble Virtues is moral code.	0
Atheism	Appears in history, but especially after the Enlightenment (19th cent).	1.1 billion (this figure includes agnostic and non-religious, which tend to be grouped on surveys)	There is no God or divine being. Beliefs about the universe generally based on latest scientific findings.	Only humans can help themselves and each other solve the world's problems.	none	none	0
Baha'i Faith	Founded by Bahá'u'lláh, 1863, Tehran, Iran.	5-7 million	One God, who has revealed himself progressively through major world religions.	The soul is eternal and essentially good. Purpose of life is to develop spiritually and draw closer to God.	Soul separates from the body and begins a journey towards or away from God. Heaven and hell are states of being.	Daily prayer, avoidance of intoxicants, scripture reading, hard work, education, work for social justice and equality.	6
Bön	Indigenous religion of Tibet.	100,000	Nontheistic Buddhism, but meditation on peaceful and wrathful deities.	Purpose is to gain enlightenment.	Reincarnation until gain enlightenment	Meditation on mandalas and Tibetan deities, astrology, monastic life.	2
Buddhism	Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India.	360 million	Varies: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent.	Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit.	Reincarnation (understood differently than in Hinduism, with no surviving soul) until gain enlightenment	Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects), mandalas (Tibetan)	0
Cao Dai	Founded in 1926, Vietnam by Ngo Van Chieu and others based on a séance.	4-6 million	God represented by Divine Eye. Founders of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity venerated, and saints including Victor Hugo.	Goal is peace and harmony in each person and in the world. Salvation by "cultivating self and finding God in self."	Reincarnation. Bad karma can lead to rebirth on a darker planet; good karma to better life on earth. Eventual attainment of nirvana or heaven.	Hierarchy similar to Roman Catholicism. Daily prayer. Meditation. Communication with spirit world (now outlawed in Vietnam).	2
Chinese Religion	Indigenous folk religion of China.	394 million	Dualistic yin and yang; mythological beings and folk deities.	Purpose is a favorable life and peaceful afterlife, attained through rituals and honoring of ancestors.	Judgment, then reincarnation or temporary hell until gain a Buddhist-type paradise.	Ancestor worship, prayer, longevity practices , divination, prophecy and astrology, feng shui.	0
Chopra Center	Founded by Deepak Chopra in 1991, California	unknown	monism - God or Supreme Reality pervades all things; all is unity	Humans have limitless potential, but do not recognize this. Health and success can be had by focusing on whole self (mind, body, spirit).	Reincarnation	Yoga, meditation, massage, nutrition, mindfulness, detox sessions, positive thinking.	4
Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox)	Founded by Jesus Christ in c. 30 AD, Israel.	2 billion	One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit	All have sinned and are thereby separated from God. Salvation is through faith in Christ and, for some, sacraments and good works.	Eternal heaven or hell (or temporary purgatory).	Prayer, Bible study, baptism, Eucharist, church on Sundays, numerous holidays.	3
Christian Science	Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879, Massachusetts.	150,000 - 400,000	One God. No Trinity (in traditional sense). Matter and evil do not exist.	Salvation is "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness and death destroyed."	Heaven is "not a locality, but a divine state of Mind in which all the manifestations of Mind are harmonious and immortal."	Spiritual healing through prayer and knowledge, Sunday services, daily Bible and Science & Health reading.	7
Confucianism	Founded by Confucius (551–479 BC), China	5-6 million	Not addressed	Purpose of life is to fulfill one's role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty.	Not addressed	Honesty, politeness, propriety, humaneness, perform correct role in society, loyalty to family, nation	9
Deism	Especially popularized in the 18th-cent. Enlightenment under Kant, Voltaire, Paine, Jefferson, and others	unknown	One Creator God who is uninterested in the world. Reason is basis for all knowledge.	Not addressed	Not addressed	None prescribed, although some deists practice prayer.	4
Druze	Al-Darazi in 11th century, Cairo, Egypt. Roots in the Isma'iliyya sect of Shia Islam.	500,000	Universal Intelligence (al-Aql al-Kulli) or Divine Essence (akin to Neoplatonism), of which al-Hakim is believed to be an incarnation.	Live a good life for a favorable reincarnation. Await the re-appearance of al-Hakim (a Fatimid caliph who disappeared in 1021), who will usher in a Golden Age for true believers.	Reincarnation. Heaven is a spiritual existence when one has escaped reincarnation. Hell is distance from God in lifetime after lifetime.	Modest lifestyles, fasting before Eid al-Adha. Beliefs and practices are hidden for protection from persecution. Special group of initiates called uqqal.	0
Eckankar	John Paul Twitchell in 1965, Las Vegas.	50-500,000	The Divine Spirit, called "ECK"	"Each of us is Soul, a spark of God sent to this world to gain spiritual experience." Salvation is liberation and God-realization.	Reincarnation. The Soul is eternal by nature and on a spiritual journey. Liberation possible in a single lifetime.	Spiritual Exercises of ECK: mantras, meditation, and dreams. These enable Soul travel and spiritual growth.	5
Epicureanism	Epicurus in c.300 BC, Athens.	unknown	A deistic sort of polytheism: the gods exist, but take no notice of humans.	Materialism: everything is made of atoms, including gods and the soul.	No afterlife. The soul dissolves when the body dies.	Pursue the highest pleasures (friendship and tranquility) and avoid pain.	0
Falun Gong	Li Hongzhi in 1992 in China	10 million	Countless gods and spiritual beings. Demonic aliens.	The Falun (wheel) is an energy source located in the navel. Goal is spritual transcendence, achieved by practicing Falun Gong.	Not addressed	Five exercises to strengthen the Falun. Cultivation of truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance. Meat eating discouraged.	4
Gnosticism	Various teachers including Valentinus, 1st-2nd cents. AD	ancient form extinct; small modern revival groups	The supreme God is unknowable; the creator god is evil and matter is evil.	Humans can return to the spiritual world through secret knowledge of the universe.	Return to the spiritual world.	Asceticism, celibacy	4
Greek Religion	Variety of religions of ancient Greeks	ancient form extinct	Olympic pantheon (Zeus, etc.) mixed with eastern deities like Isis and Cybele	Human life is subject to the whim of the gods and to Fate; these can be controlled through sacrifice and divination.	Beliefs varied from no afterlife to shadowy existence in the underworld to a paradise-like afterlife (mainly in mystery religions).	Animal sacrifice, harvest offerings, festivals, games, processions, dance, plays, in honor of the gods. Secret initiations and rituals in mystery religions.	0
Religion/Sect/ Belief System	Origins & History	Adherents Worldwide (approx.)	God(s) and Universe	Human Situation and Life's Purpose	Afterlife	Practices
Hare Krishna	Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, 1966, USA (with roots in 15th-century Hindu movement)	250,000-1 million	Krishna is the Supreme God.	Salvation from this Age of Kali is by a return to Godhead, accomplished through Krishna-Consciousness.	Reincarnation until unite with the Godhead.	Chanting, dancing, evangelism, vegetarianism, temple worship, monastic-style living.	0
Hinduism	Indigenous religion of India as developed to present day.	900 million	One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses	Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape. Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.	Reincarnation until gain enlightenment.	Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).	3
Islam	Muhammad, 622 AD, Saudi Arabia	1.3 billion (Sunni: 940 million)	One God (Allah in Arabic)	Humans must submit (islam) to the will of God to gain Paradise after death.	Paradise or Hell.	Five Pillars: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Pilgrimage, Fasting. Mosque services on Fridays. Ablutions before prayer. No alcohol or pork. Holidays related to the pilgrimage and fast of Ramadan.	4
Jainism	Mahavira, c. 550 BC, eastern India	4 million	The universe is eternal; many gods exist. Gods, humans and all living things are classified in a complex hierarchy.	The soul is uncreated and eternal and can attain perfect divinity. Purpose is to gain liberation from cycle of rebirth, by avoiding all bad karma, especially by causing no harm to any sentient being.	Reincarnation until liberation.	Monasticism under the Five Great Vows (Non-Violence, Truth, Celibacy, Non-Stealing, Non-Possessiveness); worship at temples and at home. Meditation and mantras.	0
Jehovah's Witnesses	Charles Taze Russell, 1879, Pittsburgh	6.5 million	One God, Jehovah. No Trinity - Christ is the first creation of God; the Holy Spirit is a force.	Salvation is through faith in Christ and obeying Jehovah's laws. The End of the World is soon.	Heaven for 144,000 chosen Witnesses, eternity on new earth for other Witnesses. All others annihilated. No hell.	No blood transfusions, no celebration of holidays, no use of crosses or religious images. Baptism, Sunday service at Kingdom Hall, strong emphasis on evangelism.	0
Religion/Sect/ Belief System	Origins & History	Adherents Worldwide (approx.)	God(s) and Universe	Human Situation and Life's Purpose	Afterlife	Practices
Judaism	The religion of the Hebrews (c. 1300 BC), especially after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.	14 million	One God, Yahweh.	Obey God's commandments, live ethically. Focus is more on this life than the next.	Not historically emphasized. Beliefs vary from no afterlife to shadowy existence to the World to Come (similar to heaven).	Circumcision at birth, bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood. Synagogue services on Saturdays. No pork or other non-kosher foods. Holidays related to historical events.	10
Mayan Religion	c.250 AD (rise of the Mayan civilization)	Historically, up to 2 million. Some survival today.	Many gods, including Itzamná, Kukulcán, Bolon Tzacab, and Chac	Appease and nourish the gods; determine luckiest dates for various activities.	The soul journeys through dark and threatening underworld; but sacrificial victims and women who die in childbirth go to heaven.	Astronomy, divination, human sacrifice, elaborate burial for royalty, worship in stone pyramid-temples	0
Mormonism (LDS)	Joseph Smith, 1830, New York	12.2 million	God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individual beings	Humans existed as spirits before this life, salvation is returning to God. Salvation by faith in Christ, good works, ordinances, and evangelism.	All return to spirit world for period of instruction before resurrection. Mormons to heaven with God and families; others rewarded but not with God; hell for those who reject God after death.	Abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea; baptism for the dead; eternal marriage; temple garments under daily clothes; active evangelism.	0
New Age	Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Annie Besant in the 19th C, Alice A. Bailey (1880-1949), flourished in 1970s and 80s	5 million (very approximate)	The Divine is an impersonal life force that pervades all things	Dawning of a New Age of heightened consciousness and international peace. Individuals can obtain a foretaste of the New Age through spiritual transformation ("Ascension"). More emphasis on the latter now. Evil comes from ignorance.	Reincarnation based on karma	Astrology; mysticism; use of crystals; yoga; tarot readings; holistic medicine; psychic abilities; angelic communications; channeling; amulets; fortune-telling	2
New Thought	Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-66) and others, late 19th century, USA.	160,000	Generally monism (all is One), but members might be theists, pantheists or panentheists. God is immanent; the universe is essentially spiritual.	Man is divine, essentially spirit, and has infinite possibility. Mind can control the body. Sin and sickness caused by incorrect thinking. Man can live in oneness with God in love, truth, peace, health, and prosperity.	"Life is eternal in the invisible kingdom of God."	Emphasis on spiritual and mental healing, but without rejection of modern medicine. Worship services; prayer for the sick; discussion of New Thought authors and ideas.	8
Religion/Sect/ Belief System	Origins & History	Adherents Worldwide (approx.)	God(s) and Universe	Human Situation and Life's Purpose	Afterlife	Practices
Rastafari	Teachings of Marcus Garvey (1920s, Jamaica) and coronation of Haile Selassie (1930, Ethiopia)	1 million	God is Jah, who became incarnate in Jesus (who was black) and Haile Selassie.	Humans are temples of Jah. Salvation is primarily in this world and consists of liberation from oppression and return to Africa.	Some Rastas will experience "everliving" (physical immortality). Heaven is a return to Eden, which is in Africa.	Many practices based on Jewish biblical Law. Abstinence from most or all meat, artificial foods, and alcohol. Use of marijuana in religious rituals and for medicine. Wearing of dreadlocks.	2
Scientology	L. Ron Hubbard, 1954, California	70,000 or several million, depending on the source	God(s) not specified; reality explained in the Eight Dynamics	Human consists of body, mind and thetan; capable of great things. Gain spiritual freedom by ridding mind of engrams.	Reincarnation	Auditing, progressing up various levels until "clear". Focus on education and drug recovery programs.	3
Seventh-day Adventists	Rooted in Millerite movement; Ellen White was main leader; founded 1863 in New England	10 million [source]	One God who is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit	Second Coming of Christ is imminent; salvation is by faith in Christ; emphasis on quality of life both now and in afterlife	A "peaceful pause" after death until the coming of Christ, then resurrection to judgment and eternity in heaven or hell	Sabbath observance on Saturdays; healthful lifestyle; baptism by immersion	3
Shinto	Indigenous religion of Japan.	3-4 million	Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits.	Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.	Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.	Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.	0
Religion/Sect/ Belief System	Origins & History	Adherents Worldwide (approx.)	God(s) and Universe	Human Situation and Life's Purpose	Afterlife	Practices
Sikhism	Guru Nanak, c. 1500 AD, Punjab, India.	23 million	One God (Ik Onkar, Nam)	Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good.	Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God.	Prayer and meditation on God's name, services at temple (gurdwara), turban and five Ks. Balance work, worship, and charity. No monasticism or asceticism.	6
Stoicism	Zeno in c.313 BC, Athens.	unknown	Pantheism: the logos pervades the universe.	Purpose is happiness, achieved by virtue, i.e., living reasonably.	Possible continued existence of the Soul, but not a personal existence.	Ethical and philosophical training, self-reflection, careful judgment and inner calm.	9
Taoism	Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.	20 million (394 million adherents of Chinese religion)	Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity.	Purpose is inner harmony, peace, and longevity. Acheived by living in accordance with the Tao.	Revert back to state of non-being, which is simply the other side of being.	General attitude of detachment and non-struggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi, acupuncture, and alchemy to help longevity.	2
Unification Church	Sun Myung Moon, 1954, South Korea.	Over 1 million (3 million acc. to official sources)	Monotheism, with the duality of God (esp. masculine and feminine) emphasized. No Trinity doctrine.	Purpose is true love and world peace instead of selfish love. True love and the kingdom of God on earth will be restored by the creation of "true families."	Eternal life in a spirit world.	Blessing Ceremony	6
Unitarian Universalism	Formal merger of Unitarians and Universalists in 1961, USA.	800,000	Not specified. Members might believe in one God, many gods, or no God.	Salvation is "spiritual health or wholeness." Members seek "inner and outer peace," insight, health, compassion and strength.	Not specified. Some believe in an afterlife, some do not. Very few believe in hell - "Universalism" indicates the belief that all will be saved.	Ceremonies for marriages, funerals, etc. Church services have elements from various religions. Emphasis on civil rights, social justice, equality and environment. Most UUs are anti-death penalty and pro-gay rights.	9
Wicca	Based on ancient pagan beliefs, but modern form founded early 1900s. Founder generally said to be Gerald Gardner.	1-3 million	Polytheism, centered on the Goddess and God, each in various forms; also a belief in a Supreme Being over all	"If it harms none, do what you will."	Reincarnation until reach the Summerland	Prayer, casting a circle, Drawing Down the Moon, reciting spells, dancing, singing, sharing cakes and wine or beer	0
Zoroastrianism	Zoroaster in c.6th cent. BC, Persia. Official religion of ancient Persia. May have influenced Judaism and Vedic religion.	c. 200,000	One God, Ahura Mazda, but a dualistic worldview in which an evil spirit, Angra Mainyu, is almost as powerful.	Humans are free to do good or evil, must choose the side of good.	Judgement followed by heaven or hell. Hell is temporary until final purgation and return to Ahura Mazda.	Good deeds, charity, equality, hard work.	6
			7	14	10	18

Source: http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm

Native American Spirituality: http://www.religioustolerance.org/nataspir.htm http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/naspirit.html

Rejuvenation Java Speak

BettyJSimmons — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:56:35 CDT

Jewish Rejuvenation Podcast Site:
http://jewishrejuvenation.podcastpeople.com/

Who Is A Jew?

BettyJSimmons — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:38:57 CDT

"Who is a Jew?" (Hebrew: ?מיהו יהודי) is a religious, social and political debate on the exact definition of which persons can be considered Jewish. The Hebrew phrase Mihu Yehudi (Hebrew: "?מיהו יהודי", "Who is a Jew?") came into widespread use when several high profile legal cases in Israel grappled with this subject after the founding of the Jewish state in 1948. As the Jewish identity shares some of the characteristics of an ethnicity and a religion, the definitions of a Jew may vary, depending on whether a religious, sociological, or ethnic approach to identity is used. Throughout Jewish history, Jews have been characterized in many different lights. According to most definitions, a Jew is either born into the Jewish people, or becomes one through religious conversion. The debate centers around some of the following questions:

Mixed parentage debate: tries to identify when people with mixed parentage should be considered Jewish, and when they should not be.
Conversion debate: centers around the process of religious conversion in an attempt to specify which conversions to Judaism should be considered valid, and which should not.
Life circumstances debate: focuses on whether people's actions (such as conversion to a different religion) or circumstances in their lives (such as being unaware of Jewish parentage) affect their status as a Jew.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_is_a_Jew%3F

"Jew": Hebrew = Yehudah (plural Yehudim); one or those who praise God.

Non-Jews: Contemporary Definitions

BettyJSimmons — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:38:23 CDT

The Noahide Noahide-specific Website: http://www.asknoah.org/Default.html Noahide Laws:

The Noahide laws are the mitzvot (commandments) that Judaism teaches that all of humankind is morally bound to follow. Although opinions differ on the reach of these laws, all contemporary authorities agree that there are seven main laws.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noahide

About Noahide Lifestyle/laws: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-noahide.htm The Gentile
Definitions of GENTILE on the Web:

a person who is not Jewish
freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~randyj2222/gendictg.html
A non-member of the LDS Church.
christiandefense.org/mor_define.htm
is a person who is not a Jew or of the Jewish faith. Christians in the early church were both Jew and Gentile. Paul was a Jew as were most of the early church leaders, including Peter, James, John and Barnabas. However, Luke and others who were recruited by Paul were Gentiles. Paul believed that Judaism was not a separate religion, but a moral law or code by which people lived. One could be both a Jew and a Christian, as one might be a Stoic as well as a Christian.
www.biblestudyinfo.com/paul/concepts.shtml
A NON JEW. This term usually referred to Greeks and Romans but applied to all "non - jews" or persons who were not descendants of Abraham through Jacob, thus it could include Syrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians etc.
www.ida.net/users/rdk/ces/definitions.html
heathen: a person who does not acknowledge your god
a person who is not a member of one's own religion; used in this sense by Mormons and Hindus
in this sense `gentile' denotes a Christian as contrasted with a Jew; `goy' is a derogatory word for Christians used by Jews
a Christian; "Christians refer to themselves as gentiles"
belonging to or characteristic of non-Jewish peoples
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
The word Gentile has several meanings. In the most common modern use it refers to a non-Jew. The word is derived from the Latin term gens (meaning "clan" or a "group of families") and it is often employed in the plural. In late Latin gentilis meant "pagan", and the term gentile has sometimes been used in the past as a synonym for "heathen" or "pagan"; this usage is archaic.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentile

Source: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:GENTILE&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

The Pagan

Definitions of pagan on the Web:

heathen: a person who does not acknowledge your god
a person who follows a polytheistic or pre-Christian religion (not a Christian or Muslim or Jew)
heathen: not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
hedonist: someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
a practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin paganus, a country dweller.
www.conjure.com/COG/idef.html
In Corinth, non-Jews were called Gentiles or pagans. The Latin word indicated a "country dweller," or someone outside the culture of the city.
gbgm-umc.org/umw/corinthians/glossary.stm
or Boyan, who finally concluded peace with the emperor. 11
www.bartleby.com/67/439.html
A generic term for a number of pre-Christian faiths – druids, witches. Pagan faith is linked to locality and to the Earth.
www.druidnetwork.org/lightning/glossary
(Pay-gun) - One who follows or practices an earth-based or nature religion.
www.moonbeamgarden.com/witchscottage/wiccan_pagan_glossary.htm
This word originally comes from Latin. 'Pagus' means a canton or district, or in other words a parcel of land, usually out in the country. A 'paganus' was one who lived on this parcel of land, usually working it as a farm or performing other rural tasks. 'Paganus' came to mean country folk. As Christianity came to various parts of Europe, the people in the towns and cities were converted, but those in the country were not. So country folk were non-Christian. ...
members.tripod.com/~jack_in_the_green/terms/terms.html
Someone who follows the old, Earth-centered religions.
www.thepeacefulplanet.com/glossary.html
from the latin paganus or country dweller; used as a term to describe followers of polytheistic religions.
www.museangel.net/terms.html
Of or pertaining to one of the polytheistic faiths indiginous to Europe. Literally means "country dweller". Unfortunately nowadays, due to extensive media disinformation, the word is being used as a synonym for Wicca.
www.winterscapes.com/uppsala/glossary.htm
A person who follows non christian or other socially established faiths. They are usually of an earth based faith or religion. This includes family's taught practices that might including witch craft, psychic gifts and the like.
thecronescorner.com/Definitions.html
One who is neither a Christian, a Jew, or a Moslem
www.innvista.com/culture/religion/diction.htm
Pre-Christian animistic or polytheistic practice.
www.partialobserver.com/davinci/Glossary.cfm
a follower of a nature-based religion. It is important to remember that all wiccans are pagan, but not all pagans are wiccan. There is a very wide variety of pagan religions, wicca is just one of them.
members.aol.com/fadeddragn/dictionary.html
Heathen, especially one who worshipped the gods of ancient Greece and Rome.
www.godonthe.net/dictionary/p.html
When used by Christians, this word basically means non-Christian. Therefore to Christians, all other world religions - Buddhism, Hindu, Wicca, etc - are considered 'pagan'.
www.geocities.com/cheshirekatz/gazebo/mythoterms.html
I use this as a broad blanket term for anyone who is not of Chritian, Moslem, or Jewish faiths. From the Latin word paganus, meaning country dweller (similar to heathen - who lives on the heath).
www.exploremaine.com/~lorelei/pi_glossary.htm

Source:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:pagan&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

Home

BettyJSimmons — Mon, 28 May 2007 16:37:03 CDT

For over 3000 years now, the Jews have undergone numerous trials and tribulations as well as a variety of evolutionary redefinitions. The time has come for another evolution. "Jewish Rejuvenation" is just that: an evolutionary change in the way that we think about Judaism.

Stay tuned as this new movement is defined for the world right before your eyes. It will change everything you ever thought you knew about Jewish faith.

Not your Zadde's or Bubbe's brand of Judaism. It isn't Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist or Renewal. And "No"... it isn't a new Brand of Christian Judaism. What it is, is a Jewish faith movement for the new millenium!

Jewish Rejuvenation - Breathing new life into the world's Jewish faith.

Related pages:

Return / go to: www.thejewishsoldier.com

Return / go to: http://behindtheveils.blogspot.com/

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 rejuvenation n 1: the phenomenon of vitality and freshness being restored; "the annual rejuvenation of the landscape" [syn: greening] 2: the act of restoring to a more youthful condition Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Rejuvenation \Re*ju`ve*na"tion\ (-n?"sh?n), n. Rejuvenescence.

History Of Jewish Movments

BettyJSimmons — Mon, 28 May 2007 16:27:07 CDT

History of Judaism: What the exact forms of Judaism were during the times of Moses or during the eras of the Mishnah and Talmud cannot be exactly known today in all their details, but Orthodox Jews maintain that contemporary Orthodox Judaism maintains the same basic philosophy and legal framework that existed throughout Jewish history—whereas the other denominations depart from it.

Birth Period	Name	About The Movement
Second to Sixth centuries CE	Rabbinic Judaism	Basis - the law (Torah) revealed at Sinai consists in the Torah, or the five books of Moses and the oral revelation was transmitted to descendants as the Mishna and Gemarah, (Talmud). In Practice - body of interpretations and practice is called halakha (the way).
10th-11th c. CE	CE Karaite Judaism or Karaism meaning "Readers [of Scripture]".	Basis - is a Jewish movement characterized by the sole reliance on the Tanakh as scripture, and the rejection of the Oral Law (the Mishnah and the Talmud) as halakha (Legally Binding, i.e., required religious practice).
1698–1760	Hasidic Judaism (also Chasidic, etc., from the Hebrew: חסידות Chassidus, meaning "piety", from the Hebrew root word חסד chesed meaning "lovingkindness")	Basis - Religious movement founded by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer , also known as the Ba'al Shem Tov [1], founded Hasidic Judaism. It originated in a time of persecution of the Jewish people, when European Jews had turned inward to Talmud study; many felt that most expressions of Jewish life had become too "academic", and that they no longer had any emphasis on spirituality or joy. Practice – Halacha based on written and oral tradition.
1700’s	Haredi or chareidi Judaism	Basis - the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism.[1] A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi (Haredim in the plural). The term "ultra-Orthodox", which is sometimes used, is pejorative and controversial, as it is often considered to be demeaning, connotes that Haredi Judaism is somehow outside the boundaries of reasonable orthodoxy, and is therefore rarely used by the Jews to whom it is applied. Haredi (חֲרֵדִי) is derived from charada (fear, anxiety), which could be interpreted as "one who trembles in awe of God" (cf. Isaiah 66:2,5). Haredi Jews, like other Orthodox Jews, consider their belief system and religious practices to extend in an unbroken chain back to Moses and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. As a result, they consider non-Orthodox denominations to be unjustifiable deviations from authentic Judaism, both because of other denominations' doubts concerning the divine revelation of Written and Oral Torah, and because of their rejection of halakhic (or Jewish legal) precedent as binding. Practice – Halacha based on written and oral tradition.
1800’s	Orthodox Judaism	Basis - is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmudic texts ("Oral Torah") and as subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim. Orthodox Judaism is characterized by: Belief that the Torah (i.e. the Pentateuch) and its pertaining laws are Divine, were transmitted by God to Moses, are eternal, and are unalterable; Belief that there is also an oral law in Judaism, the authoritative interpretation of the written Torah, which is also Divine, having been transmitted by God to Moses along with the Pentateuch, passed down to various authorities from Moses to the Talmudic period, and which is embodied in the Talmud, Midrash, and innumerable related texts, all intrinsically and inherently entwined with the written law of the Torah; Belief that God has made an exclusive, unbreakable covenant with the Children of Israel (the descendants of the Jewish patriarch, Jacob, whose other name was Israel) to be governed by the Torah; Belief in a Jewish eschatology, including a Jewish Messiah, a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, and a resurrection of the dead. Adherence to Halakha (the Shulkhan Arukh known as the "Code of Jewish law"; Acceptance of codes, mainly the Shulchan Aruch, as authoritative practical guidance in application of both the written and oral laws. New Halakhic rulings can be made by Orthodox authorities, but such rulings can not contradict or remove previous accepted Halakhic rulings, which are considered more authoritative. Belief in the thirteen Jewish principles of faith as stated by the Rambam (Maimonides); and Acceptance of halakha-following Rabbis as authoritative interpreters and judges of Jewish law.
1820-1899	Modern Orthodox Judaism (or Modern Orthodox or Modern Orthodoxy; sometimes abbreviated as "MO" or Modox)	Basis - is a movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize traditional observance and values with the secular, modern world. Modern Orthodoxy draws on several teachings and philosophies, and thus assumes various forms. In the United States, and generally in the Western world, "Centrist Orthodoxy" — underpinned by the philosophy of Torah Umadda ("Torah and Knowledge/Science) - is prevalent. In Israel, Modern Orthodoxy is dominated by Religious Zionism; however, although not identical, these movements share many of the same values and many of the same adherents [1].
1840 to 1850	Reform Judaism	(1) the largest denomination of American Jews and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th-century Germany. Contemporary Reform Judaism movements share most of the following principles: The autonomy of the individual in interpreting the Torah and Oral Law, as well as in deciding which observances one is thereby prescribed to follow, Applicability of textual analysis (including higher criticism), as well as traditional rabbinic modes of study, to the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic literature, Learning Jewish principles of faith through non-religious methods, as well as religious ones, Embracing modern culture in customs, dress, and common practices, and Complete gender equality in religious study, ritual, and observance. Emphasis on tikkun olam ("repairing the world") as the dominant means of service to God. According to traditional Judaism, God revealed His Law on Mount Sinai to Moses in two forms, (1) the written law ("Torah shebichtav"), and (2) the oral law ("Torah shebe'al peh"). According to some Reform Jews, human reason alone was competent to grasp and construe all religious truths.
1840s and 1850s	Conservative Judaism, (also known as Masorti Judaism in Israel predominantly).	A modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s. The principles of Conservative Judaism include:[1] A "dedication to Halakha... [as a] guide for our lives";[2] A deliberately non-fundamentalist teaching of Jewish principles of faith; A positive attitude toward modern culture; and, An acceptance of both traditional rabbinic modes of study and modern scholarship and critical text study when considering Jewish religious texts. Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism, developed in 1850s Germany as a reaction to the more liberal religious positions taken by Reform Judaism. The term conservative was meant to signify that Jews should attempt to conserve Jewish tradition, rather than reform or abandon it, and does not imply the movement's adherents are politically conservative. Because of this potential for confusion, a number of Conservative rabbis have proposed renaming the movement[3], and outside of the United States and Canada, such as Israel[4] and England[5], it is today known as Masorti Judaism (Hebrew for "Traditional").
1960s	Jewish Renewal	The term Jewish Renewal describes "a set of practices within Judaism that attempt to reinvigorate what it views as a moribund and uninspiring Judaism with mystical, Hasidic, musical and meditative practices drawn from a variety of traditional and untraditional, Jewish and other, sources. In this sense, Jewish renewal is an approach to Judaism that can be found within segments of any of the Jewish denominations."[cite this quote] Some critics within the Jewish community have dismissed Jewish Renewal as "New Age Judaism."[attribution needed] The term also refers to an emerging Jewish movement, the Jewish Renewal movement, which describes itself as "a worldwide, transdenominational movement grounded in Judaism’s prophetic and mystical traditions." [1] The Jewish Renewal movement incorporates social views such as feminism, environmentalism and pacifism. Jewish Renewal brings kabbalistic and Hasidic theory and practice into a non-Orthodox, egalitarian framework, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as neo-Hasidism. Like Hasidic Jews, Renewal Jews often add to traditional worship ecstatic practices such as meditation, chant and dance. In augmenting Jewish ritual, some Renewal Jews borrow freely and openly from Buddhism, Sufism and other faiths.
1963	Humanistic Judaism	A movement within Judaism that emphasizes Jewish culture and history - rather than belief in God - as the sources of Jewish identity. Its rituals and ceremonies do not include prayer or any invocation of a deity. Its philosophical outlook is derived from Humanism or Secular Humanism, and its beliefs may be summarized as follows: A Jew is someone who identifies with the history, culture and future of the Jewish people; Judaism is the historic culture of the Jewish people; People possess the power and responsibility to shape their own lives independent of supernatural authority; Ethics and morality should serve human needs, and choices should be based upon consideration of the consequences of actions rather than pre-ordained rules or commandments; and, Jewish history, like all history, is a purely human and natural phenomenon. Biblical and other traditional texts are the products of human activity and are best understood through archaeology and other scientific analysis.
1983	Reconstructionist Judaism	A modern American-based Jewish movement, based on the ideas of the late Mordecai Kaplan, that views Judaism as a progressively evolving civilization. It originated as the radical left branch of Conservative Judaism before it splintered. There is substantial theological diversity within the movement. Halakha is not considered binding, but is treated as a valuable cultural remnant that should be upheld unless there is reason for the contrary. The movement emphasizes positive views towards modernism, and considers religious custom to be subservient to personal autonomy.
2007	*Jewish Rejuvenation*	To be continued…stay tuned.

Found One More...

1902

Liberal Judaism (United Kingdom)

The intention: the use of more English in services, men and women sitting freely together, the use of organ music, and a more inclusive form of worship could prove attractive to members of British Jewry who felt uninvolved or out of sympathy with existing very traditionalist patterns of worship. It stresses "the full equality and participation of men and women in every sphere of religious life; an emphasis on ethical conduct above ritual observance; an affirmation of each individual's freedom to act responsibly in accordance with the dictates of the informed religious conscience; a pride in combining our Jewish heritage with full participation in the civic life of this country; and an awareness of our duty not only to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel, but also to the entire human family, each one of whom is created in the Divine image". Four foundation tenants: The best of modern scholarship, inclusiveness, intellectual honesty, and an overriding ethics-led view of what it means to be Jewish. Empasizes readily recognising as Jewish without conversion the child of Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother [1]; or in Liberal Judaism's readiness to celebrate homosexual partnerships in synagogue with more of the traditional symbolism associated with Jewish weddings [2].

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Judaism

Learning Resources

BettyJSimmons — Sat, 26 May 2007 21:20:35 CDT

For General Jewish Learning Resources Go To: www.thejewishsoldier.com

For A Related Book Project, Go To: http://behindtheveils.blogspot.com/

Stay Tuned As This Site Grows By Leaps and Bounds Over The Coming Months.