Atheist Jewish people: when you are asked on forms for your religion what do you write?
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JLeslie (
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October 4th, 2011
Forms for hospitals, or other places that collect the information mostly to know which clergy might be appropriate God forbid something dire happened.
I guess the question could be asked to anyone who identifies with a certain religion, but who is not religious.
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33 Answers
Logically I would say they would have to put down “no religion”.
A friend of mine who is practically a career atheist, reared Jewish, self-identifies as an atheist but qualifies it: “I’m a Jewish atheist.”
I was brought up Protestant, but these days I usually put “Buddhist” on hospital forms to fend off bedside religionists. I suppose I might put “Protestant Buddhist” one day if things look serious. I certainly know Catholic Buddhists (including one Jesuit Buddhist) and Jewish Buddhists as well as Buddhist atheists; Zen is a very compatible practice.
For reasons I have never understood or questioned, my son puts “Jewish” even though I don’t think he has the beginning of an idea of how to be Jewish.
I can’t actually remember filling out a form that asks religion, but I wouldn’t put Jewish.
I’m confused, I assume Jewish refers to race, religion, and culture, so could you be both?
I check off Jewish to insure not being mistaken for anything else.
The last time I was in hospital I had developed a really nasty abcess over a lumpectomy incision and had to spend six days on IV antibodies. It was probably a hospital-induced bacteria.
Someone sent the Protestant Chaplain to visit with me (perhaps to stave off a malpractice suit) and boy, was I not in the mood to chat with him. I told him I was Jewish and then had to stave off a stultifying conversation on comparative religions. Finally I said that I was exhausted.
@Blackberry Yes – which is why I identify as a Jew although not a believer.
who also happen to be Penguish?
¼ Jewish Atheist here, I put down – mystical skeptic.
I think Isaac Bashevis Singer would approve. :D
@Qingu Whaaaat?! Well, if you put Jewish, no wonder all us atheist Jewish people put Jewish.
@Jeruba I guess when someone is Protestant, the clergy are less likely to guess or be receptive to you actually being an athiest. While Reformed Rabbi’s know many Jewish atheists exist, well, all Rabbi’s would know. I always figured if they sent in a Rabbi to my hospital room he would probably get a feel for what I needed, and I would not feel judged if I prefer not to hear about God and prayer, but just talk in a more counseling/venting way.
@gailcalled Chaplains are supposed to be better at adjusting to the needs of the patient. My sister worked at a Catholic hospital for several years and the Champlains, they were priests obviously were wonderful she said. All the hospital personnel went through a small training course about patients and their religion. She said the priest emphasized to let the patient lead in their needs, and to never put their own faith and expectations onto the patient.
@Jude So you have said. LOL.
I forgot to add another reason I put Jewish at hospitals is if my family prefer I have a Jewish funeral, I would want my body prepared or kept according to Jewish rituals.
@Qingu I just realize I misread. You said you would NOT put Jewish, I read it as you would. The world order as I knew it is intact again.
@Blackberry Put both what? Athiest and Jewish? Or, what Jeruba was saying about Buddhist and x religion?
@JLeslie That’s why I was confused. I guess one would check Jewish Non-believer if the option was available?
@Blackberry Atheist Jews are Jewish, so they just put Jewish. Well, I do, and it seems most do if we go by this Q. How religious they are of if they believe in God is a separate matter in my opinion. But, I could see how some athiest Jews might put none or n/a not wanting to risk a Chaplain or rabbi being sent to them.
Atheist Jews really put the “ish” in “Jew-ish”...
@janbb ROFLMAO! I would always put “Penguish” if I were you… Always and ever!
I wish I were an atheist Jew… Sigh, Pre-saved, signed sealed delivered and without all of the mess of Religion.
Damn, you guys are lucky!
@GabrielsLamb You can be one if you want. Although, it is less common for someone to convert to Judaism if they plan on being atheists, unless they are marrying a Jewish person. Still, I don’t think the Rabbi is ever going to ask if you believe in God, ours never asked my husband anything of the sort.
@Blackberry I came across this article yesterday regarding athiesm and Judaism. I love the last line:
My rabbi said, ‘You know Maxim, God doesn’t care whether you believe in him or not. All that he cares is that you do the right thing.’ Our action in the world is much more important.”
@JLeslie Thanks… Your quote, is why I will always love and support the Jewish people!
@JLeslie Yup. That’s Judaism to its core. It’s organized humanism.
Does that mean I’m Jewish, then? Nice!
I want to be apart of a Jew hug.
@Blackberry It just means the Jews focus on life as we know it, of this world oriented, less after death conversation. All good people can go to heaven, and being good has to do with how we help and interact with each other, and more observant Jews would say and also living according to Jewish laws, keeping a Jewish home. This is part of the reason why we don’t try to convert anyone, we don’t worry about your soul; as long as you are a good person God will recognize it. Technically you would need to convert to be Jewish. Begin living and identifying as Jewish. It’s not 1,2,3. You would have to study a little. You know Jews usually tell people who want to convert to Judaism, “no you don’t.” LOL.
@JLeslie Yeah, not going that far, although some of those Hasidic Jewsish women are smokin’ hot.
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