Reconstructionist Judaism Jewish principles of faith

reconstructionist judaism american denomination has naturalist theology developed rabbi mordecai kaplan. theology variant of naturalism of john dewey, combined atheistic beliefs religious terminology in order construct religiously satisfying philosophy had lost faith in traditional religion. [see id. @ 385; see caplan @ p. 23, fn.62 ( majority of kaplan s views ... formulated before read dewey or [william] james. )] reconstructionism denies god either personal or supernatural. rather, god said sum of natural processes allow man become self-fulfilled. rabbi kaplan wrote believe in god means take granted man s destiny rise above brute , eliminate forms of violence , exploitation human society.

most reconstructionist jews reject theism, , instead define religious naturalists. these views have been criticized on grounds atheists, has been made palatable jews rewriting dictionary. significant minority of reconstructionists have refused accept kaplan s theology, , instead affirm theistic view of god.

as in reform judaism, reconstructionist judaism holds personal autonomy has precedence on jewish law , theology. not ask adherents hold particular beliefs, nor ask halakha accepted normative. in 1986, reconstructionist rabbinical association (rra) , federation of reconstructionist congregations (frc) passed official platform on reconstructionism (2 pages). not mandatory statement of principles, rather consensus of current beliefs. [frc newsletter, sept. 1986, pages d, e.] major points of platform state that:

judaism result of natural human development. there no such thing divine intervention.
judaism evolving religious civilization.
zionism , aliyah (immigration israel) encouraged.
the laity can make decisions, not rabbis.
the torah not inspired god; comes social , historical development of jewish people.
all classical views of god rejected. god redefined sum of natural powers or processes allows mankind gain self-fulfillment , moral improvement.
the idea god chose jewish people purpose, in way, morally untenable , because has such beliefs implies superiority of elect community , rejection of others . puts reconstructionist jews @ odds other jews, seems accuse other jews of being racist. jews outside of reconstructionist movement strenuously reject charge.

although resconstructionist judaism not require membership subscribe particular dogma, reconstructionist movement actively rejects or marginalizes beliefs held other branches of judaism, including many (if not all) of 13 principles. example, rabbi kaplan rejected traditional jewish understandings of messianism. god did not have ability suspend natural order , not send divine agent house of david bring miraculous redemption. rather, in keeping reconstructionist naturalist principles, kaplan beieved world perfected, result of combined efforts of humanity on generations. (id. @ 57) reconstructionism rejects 13th principle of resurrection of dead, kaplan believed belonged supernatural worldview rejected moderns. (id. @ 58.) thus, reconstructionist sabbath prayer book erases references messianic figure, , daily amidah replaces traditional blessing of reviving dead 1 blesses god in love remembers thy creatures unto life. (id. @ 57-59.)