I don’t really know. I suppose I do to an extent. To start off, we can break it down into its obvious components of Jewish and Humanist. However, this may be one of those cases where the sum of its parts aren’t necessarily equal to the whole. The term sort of catches on in its own right. To me, its simply funny and silly.
Why did I start to use this term? Originally, this blog was entitle “Religion is Immoral” which was later changed and changed again. It just seemed too harsh; I want to use my real name and be a real person. I wanted something simple yet friendly. I also wanted to let visitors be aware of where I came from (religiously) as well as my cultural background. Many Christians would visit and often say things that were so out of place, oftentimes assuming I turned my back on Jesus. There is a supposed sense of Christian superiority I have encountered my entire life, whether as a Jew or an Atheist. Many former and current Christians will assume I have had some type of connection with Christianity. While it sometimes feels like one is being self-centered, it may just be their reality, as is the reality throughout much of the United States. I was raised in a Jewish community in Miami; I never heard of Jesus until much later on. (I can’t recall exactly when.) Judaism ruled the area; there are at least three synagogues in the neighborhood I grew up in. Maybe one church. So perhaps that can be a self-centered way to view life in the USA, but its all I knew.
Being raised this way, it was easy to almost never be reminded of Christianity, let alone other religions. Now, as an self-described atheist, my feelings have not changed. Whether as an Atheist or a Jew, it doesn’t matter. Its the same thing to anyone who isn’t Jewish. My minority group (in the US) is actually bigger as an atheist but am picked upon (generally speaking) more for not believing in any higher power. Though its common for Jews to not believe in god, yet while not claiming atheism for fear of the ethnic-religious group disappearing. My father once told me that being Jewish has nothing to do with belief in god or the afterlife. He was all about tradition and family (or at least acted as though). He wasn’t happy I use the term “atheist” though he was clearly one as well. As a side note: I have a half-brother (same father) who became a Christian later on. This upset my father more than my atheism.
Having the last name Schwartz with a big nose, kind of makes people assume things. And its going to happen. I’ve decided to embrace this rather than run from it. And who else will have the chutzpah to criticize Israel? Besides Jon Stewart.
