Judaism Case

I. Religious Tradition of Interviewee

1. Would you describe yourself as religious or spiritual? What does it mean to you to be either religious or spiritual?

* When first asking this question of Barrett he took a second to think before answering. Ultimately, coming to the decision that he would consider himself to be more spiritual than religious. I then ask could you simply define or tell me what characteristics would be associated with someone who you would consider religious or spiritual? He then started to describe someone that would be more spiritual by using himself as an example. Barrett then stated that he reads and believes the Torah to be authoritative. However, he then continues to say that he also believes that the Torah was of human creation, which but inspired by god. By believing this of the Torah he says he tends to use more personal interpretation in regards to Jewish law, scripture and many other aspects within Judaism. He believes this is what most likely separates him from other Jews. The others being those Jews who he would consider to be more religious based than himself. Barrett then began to elaborate more on the aspects he was referring too. He believes that someone with a more spiritual outlook like himself would be less concerned with literal translation of Jewish scripture and that by living every second through such scriptures is not feasible and is an incorrect practice. Rather thru non-literal translation of scripture someone will develop a divine understanding. They would develop this understanding through a combination of actions, interactions, study and experiences, which would ultimately lead to this divine understanding. On the contrary someone with a religious viewpoint he believes would be more concerned with literal translation of scripture. Also he believes these individuals would hold true to the belief that the 13 principles are law, and should be treated as such. In addition this person he believes would live every waking moment in life abiding by scripture, and Jewish law. Barrett then said the simplest way he could answer the question of what it means to be religious or spiritual is to think about it with sects. He then tells me that he associates traditional ideas with someone he would consider religious. Furthermore, that Orthodox Judaism practices involve strict tradition in all aspects. Unlike, Reform Judaism which sees Jewish law as guidelines rather than law.

2. Do you follow a particular faith or spiritual tradition? If so, which tradition?

* When asking the above question to Barrett he stated that he would classify himself as a follower of a specific faith, that faith being Judaism. However, Barrett does also claim a specific sect of Judaism that being Reform Judaism.

3. Are your parents religious? If so, what influence do you think they had upon your religious perspectives? Who, or what, else can you identify that has had a profound influence on your religious perspectives?

* Barrett was born into a typical Jewish household in Maryland. His mother and father along with most of his immediate family are Jewish. Some of Barrett's family he would consider to be more traditional followers Judaism than he considers himself to be. Therefore, by having much of his family, parents, and friends being Jewish it became what was know to him at an early age. Barrett said, "Judaism and its culture is the only practice I have ever know, having been surrounded by it." From an early age he said he could remember a strong Jewish culture within his household originating from his parents. As he got older he stared to realize that his parents Jewish beliefs differed from those of his grandparents. Barrett's grandparents he described as strong believers in traditional Jewish values, culture, and beliefs. Going further he describes how Jewish values were relevant in just about every aspect of life with his grandparents. However, Barrett decided that the Jewish lifestyle his Grandparents lived was not one that he felt would suit him spiritually. His parents more relaxed style to the Jewish practice became what felt comfortable and of interest to him. This style of Jewish practice was the belief of a sect called Reform Judaism. Barrett found interest in the idea of Reform Juadism specifically that central ideas of God, Torah, and Israel are still found in reform. However, the liberal beliefs and the

II. Theoretical aspects of the interviewee's religion (beliefs about divinity, afterlife, salvation, creation, the cosmos, etc.)

1. Do you believe in a god, goddess, higher power or force, or some other combination or aspect of this category? Please describe.

* Barrett believes that there is one eternal god, who is the Father and creator of all things within this world. We as human beings are created in the image of God. God is also all knowing and all-powerful with no limitations. Also, god is just and forgiving, and continues to work in the world affecting everything. Barrett also believes that he and other Jews have a personal relationship with God. With Jews being the chosen ones of God it builds a covenant relationship between them, which in return helps towards divine understanding.

2. According to your religious beliefs, is there something after or beyond this life (by this life we mean the physical, material world in which we currently live)? Please describe.

* Afterlife is something that Barrett believes in however it is not the primary focus or mission in his life. The main goal in life for him is to live, learn, and obtain divine understanding. Therefore, by obtaining divine understanding he will become positive in God's eye. He then states that the thought of afterlife is not clear to many in Judaism, different from what you see in Christianity. Barrett then goes on to say that he believes that death is not the end that there is some form of "afterlife" but it is not know and will not be know till death has occurred. Barrett also shared that some Judaism sects and individual Jews believe in reincarnation. The claims of reincarnation he believes are false and not feasible, he developed this opinion from Reform Judaism understandings.

3. Have you ever had an experience with something you would label as supernatural? If so, please describe the experience and explain how it made you feel.

* n/a

4. Soteriology is the study

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