Religious Freedom

[Rayne870]

Edit: I don't know what the deal with the skullcaps is but some practices such as that are to preserve the sanctity of the grounds. It's more like washing your feet before walking into some holy area to keep it "clean" figuratively speaking. It isn't a symbol of saying I worship your god.

The skullcap, or Yarmulke, is supposed to be a sign of humility before God, a recognition that God is always "above your head", so to speak. Technically, if you are visiting a synagogue, it is private property and they have the right to enforce their religious laws and customs on all people who visit there.

Of course, since the visit is part of your public schooling, they have no right to force you onto the grounds of the synagogue if you don't want to participate in said customs.

So I was halfway there in my thought. If I had of known it was a Yarmulke I would have clued in lol. Skullcap just totally wasn't ringing a bell for me.

 

[Dogstile]

If there is a rule that everyone has to wear a hat in there, then you have to wear the hat or not go in. Same thing would be asked of you if you went into my nans home, except instead of wearing a hat, you'd have to take off your shoes.

Don't believe in being barefoot in someone else's house? Tough, don't go in. Its not a religious ceremony, man up. That means either don't go in, or suck it up and wear the silly hat.

:also, been awake for more than 24 hours, I do not expect what i'm typing to make sense, hopefully it does

 

[jonyboy13]

No, you are not right.
They are not cutting your dick and screaming at you to be Jewish.
By wearing it you are not declaring you are Jewish, you just respect their belief.
Grow up. You can't accept their opinions and ideas if you don't respect their religion even a bit.

 

[MrGalactus]

They aren't trying to make you "one of them". Wearing the Yarmulke is just part of the culture, and it's a sign of respect of the religion in Jewish culture of a gentile is to wear one. In the synagogue, you wear one so you can be reminded that you are in fact in a holy place, as it says in The Talmud, "Cover your head in order that the fear of heaven may be upon you."
It's just good manners, and to not wear it would offend the people of the congregation, and if I were you I wouldn't wait outside. Experiencing other peoples cultures broadens the mind and enriches your scope on life, so don't pass this opportunity to see the Jewish culture just because you don't want to "join in" on religious activities.
Wearing it is just a sign of respect, it doesn't symbolise anything about the person wearing it other than that they are tolerant towards Jews and what they believe.

 

[PinochetIsMyBro]

Do whatever you believe is right. If that involves telling them exactly where they can shove their funny looking little hats, than so be it.

It's entirely up to you. Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.

 

[OutforEC]

But as I've said, the kippah is not strictly a religious practice.

So, what would you call it then? It's done in deference to God in a place of worship, and as far as I can tell has no secular or practical application that an ordinary hat wouldn't suffice for. How can it not be viewed as a religious practice?

 

[NeutralDrow]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

 

[jonyboy13]

But as I've said, the kippah is not strictly a religious practice.

So, what would you call it then? It's done in deference to God in a place of worship, and as far as I can tell has no secular or practical application that an ordinary hat wouldn't suffice for. How can it not be viewed as a religious practice?

It is if you wear it outside of a synagogue. But inside, every man -must- wear it, regardless of his faith.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

If there is a rule that everyone has to wear a hat in there, then you have to wear the hat or not go in. Same thing would be asked of you if you went into my nans home, except instead of wearing a hat, you'd have to take off your shoes.

Don't believe in being barefoot in someone else's house? Tough, don't go in. Its not a religious ceremony, man up. That means either don't go in, or suck it up and wear the silly hat.

:also, been awake for more than 24 hours, I do not expect what i'm typing to make sense, hopefully it does

Congratulations, you can type readable sentences after an all-nighter.
And I'm offering to wait outside, but I suspect the teachers will force me to join in, or punish me for being 'dis-respectful' when we get back to school.

 

[AgDr_ODST]

just go with it man and wear the little cap...its not like anyone is trying to actively force Judaism or any other religion (on this 1 trip any way) down your throat. Its a matter or respecting the people and the place, but if the cap does some how cause confusion and it leads to someone asking you a question because they think your Jewish, all you have to do is politely explain your religious affiliation (or the lack there of)

 

[TheAbominableDan]

But as I've said, the kippah is not strictly a religious practice.

So, what would you call it then? It's done in deference to God in a place of worship, and as far as I can tell has no secular or practical application that an ordinary hat wouldn't suffice for. How can it not be viewed as a religious practice?

It is if you wear it outside of a synagogue. But inside, every man -must- wear it, regardless of his faith.

Thank you. I was having trouble wording what I wanted to say and then you did it for me. When you go to any place of worship you dress respectfully. In a synagogue that includes a kippah.

 

[jakegold]

Speaking from the perspective of a former Jew, it you want to wear the skullcap, wear it, if you don't, don't it is your decision, and none of the Jews or other classmates should criticize you for your beliefs. i am a atheist living with two Conservative Jewish parents, i eat kosher at home (they will not allow non kosher food in the house) so i abide by their beliefs, but i eat a ham and cheese sandwich last year at passover, and they didn't give a shit. i respect others beliefs, but personally do not follow them. do what you belief.

BTW, I know this is over two years old, but I wanted to put in my two cents.

 

[Dogstile]

If there is a rule that everyone has to wear a hat in there, then you have to wear the hat or not go in. Same thing would be asked of you if you went into my nans home, except instead of wearing a hat, you'd have to take off your shoes.

Don't believe in being barefoot in someone else's house? Tough, don't go in. Its not a religious ceremony, man up. That means either don't go in, or suck it up and wear the silly hat.

:also, been awake for more than 24 hours, I do not expect what i'm typing to make sense, hopefully it does

Congratulations, you can type readable sentences after an all-nighter.
And I'm offering to wait outside, but I suspect the teachers will force me to join in, or punish me for being 'dis-respectful' when we get back to school.

If they punish for you, simply take it higher than the teacher. Be civil, calmly explain why you didn't go in. They can't legally "punish" you for that.

Now, i'm off to college, so if you reply to me, you won't get a response for like, 8-9 hours, and thats if I don't fall asleep as soon as I get back

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

I do not affiliate, nor will I ever affiliate, myself with ANY religious activity or group whatsoever. That being said, your little dillema reminded me of this...

This has foul language, so if you're offended by stuff like that, DON'T CLICK IT!

 

[Renegade-pizza]

I enjoy looking at things from a objective view (also I am a Christian, just saying). If you truly want to respect a culture/religion, participate in their traditions. Most of the people in my school are conservatives who judge other religions, literally because they don't share their views. They'd call your trip hedonistic. My point is, try to enjoy it for what it is. I was in many Catholic Cathedrals when we visited the UK, I saw it as a learning experience.

If you wear the hat, it means you're respecting their customs, not adopting their religion. They'll respect you for it and you can respect yourself for it.

 

[jawakiller]

You're willing to learn about a religion, but you're not willing to respect its traditions?

Respecting traditions and participating with them is quite different. I've no problem with the tradition itself, but I don't want to participate, and will politely decline the invitation. Isn't that respectful?

Yeah, cuz if you participate you'll doe a horrendous death. BOOHOOHAHA!!

Thats what school is all about, learning to jump through hoops. Thats it. This has nothing to do with your personal "freedoms."

 

[OutforEC]

But as I've said, the kippah is not strictly a religious practice.

So, what would you call it then? It's done in deference to God in a place of worship, and as far as I can tell has no secular or practical application that an ordinary hat wouldn't suffice for. How can it not be viewed as a religious practice?

It is if you wear it outside of a synagogue. But inside, every man -must- wear it, regardless of his faith.

He's not being asked to wear it outside the synagogue, therefore they're wearing it in conformance with their religious traditions. So again, if he goes inside he should wear it, but if he doesn't want to wear it he shouldn't be forced inside.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

EDIT: Bad analogy. Apologies to anybody I offended.

 

[Yokai]

My English teacher today told the class that we would be visiting a synagogue, and that every male visitor would have to wear a skullcap.

That seems strange. Jews in general don't usually try to get non-Jews to follow their customs--they don't really have any evangelical tendencies the way Christians frequently do. Must have been an extremely conservative synagogue.

As for the OT, I think it's fair to say that you shouldn't be forced into a religious tradition you don't identify with. However, it sounds like you wanted to go on this trip--why are you averse to the idea of getting involved if you were curious in the first place? And it's not like they're asking you to recite the blessings with them or anything. I'd either deal with it and put on the hat or, if it's really an issue for you, politely back out of the trip.

 

[TheAbominableDan]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

Wow. Way to be extremely offensive. I left Judaism years and years ago and you've managed to offend the crap out of me with that. They're not the same at all and you should apologize for suggesting they are.