"Dr. Laura" Schlessinger has renounced her religion

New York Daily News ^ | August 14, 2003 | Suzanne Rozdeba & Ben Widdicombe

[Recourse]

Outspoken radio host "Dr. Laura" Schlessinger, one of the country's most visible Orthodox Jews, has renounced her religion. "I felt that I was putting out a tremendous amount toward that mission, that end, and not feeling return," she said on her syndicated show. Apparently, Jews just didn't send enough fan mail, reports the Forward. "By and large the faxes from Christians have been very loving, very supportive," Schlessinger said. "From my own religion, I have either gotten nothing...or two of the nastiest letters I have gotten in a long time"...

[wideawake]

Has she actually renounced her faith - or is she just criticizing her co-religionists for their lack of public support for her?

[apackof2]

this has been posted

[anniegetyourgun]

Certainly she can't be surprised that most Jews are liberal and will never agree with her? I'm dubious. What is the track record of this gossip page from this source?

[=Intervention=]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/963935/posts

Similar article, running in Forward.

[onedoug]

Thus to have forsworn Jewish choseness in carrying forth ethical monotheism to the world, to become merely another what? in the sea of humanity.

[The Old Hoosier]

She'll go back to being Catholic soon, no doubt.

[GladesGuru]

Snivel, snivel, whine. If she would enter the modern world and accept email, many would have contacted her. But faxes are too much trouble.

More to the point is the clear fact that her religion choice should be made on a basis of faith, not chumminess. Judiasm has always been a more demanding religion. For example, while forgiveness is available to a Christian for the asking, the Jew must firsk make amends, apologize publicly, and the apology must be sincere.

The offended party can refuse two times (doesn't get to keep the offered restitution, though). The third time (three tries are mandatory) , if the offended party refuses he becomes the offender.

Judiasm is a religion which values social tranquility, and by this mechanism blood fueds were made unlikely.

More trouble than asking for forgiveness, isn't it?

[MEGoody]

"Judiasm has always been a more demanding religion."

On the other thread, Shlessinger indicates that the Jews have a problem with her 'black and white' moral stances. Apparently they aren't all that demanding except when it comes to carrying out formalities. The morals stuff isn't a big deal.

By the way, I'm sure that's not true of all Jews, but based on what she says in the other thread, that seems to be an issue for her.

[GladesGuru]

It is a good thing to differentiate Jewish law and theology from Liberal Jewish practioners of said law and theology.

As is the case with Christianity, there are those who amuse themselves with 'lawyering' with the most basic commandments of their theological system.

Recent Jewish attempts to avoid the crystal clear Jewish position on homosexuality is a good example.

And may I ask which "They" aren't too demanding except when it comes to carrying out what formalities. Which formalities do you refer to?

[Hugin]

What is the track record of this gossip page from this source?

I heard this on her show last week. She didn't exactly renounce Judism, but indicated she is struggling with it. She was a bit ambiguous as to what that will mean, perhaps because she isn't sure herself. She did indicate that she gets more support from Christians than from those in her own faith and that is influencing the direction she is going.

[asformeandformyhouse]

For example, while forgiveness is available to a Christian for the asking, the Jew must firsk make amends, apologize publicly, and the apology must be sincere.

Ever heard of 'repent'? That's what christians must do for forgiveness.

[priceofreedom]

Im wondering if this has anything to do with her mother who apparently passed away not too long ago. To my knowledge she did not speak of the incident or her mother very much on the air...wonder if there was fam problems?

[GladesGuru]

Arguably, a significant factor in the success of a Jewish sect (Jesus did consider himself a Jew) was that repentance was made a substitute for the older system which also required compensation to the best of the sinners ability.

You are correct, of course, in using Christian 'repentance' as synonomus in intent with the sincere apology and the public apology required of the Jew.

However, it is inarguable that Judiasm does require more of the sinner. I should have stated that the compensation, and apologies are required BEFORE one may ask for G*d's forgiveness.

The Jew is obligated to perform the three obligations to the offended before he is even allowed to pray for divine forgiveness.

[ravingnutter]

More trouble than asking for forgiveness, isn't it?

And just what is it you think she needs to ask forgiveness for? As far as taking the easy way out, I would think that making a decision like this would take a lot more soul searching and praying than choosing to remain unhappy with the status quo. And frankly, my dear, your attitude is just plain snotty, it's no small wonder that people like me worship in our homes rather than attending churches where this type of attitude is the norm.

[GladesGuru]

No offense was meant, nor should any have been taken. I said nothing about any need for Dr. Schlesinger to apologize to anyone for anything.


The discussion was a comparison of religous views of forgiveness and what was seen as required of the sinner towards the offended and towards G*d.

Might I ask what you see as "snotty" in I what I wrote?

I have been absent from the synagogues due to my perception of too much tolerance therein for socialism - is that the "attitude" you found in your churches?

[The Brush]

Though you can't find her in the Chicago area, I used to listen to her when her show was available.
She was black and white too but she dealt with some people who couldn't put 1 + 1 together.

[Tauzero]

"Apparently they aren't all that demanding except when it comes to carrying out formalities. The morals stuff isn't a big deal."

Mathhew 5:17

[CholeraJoe]

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight
Losing my religion

[Rudder]

Another identity crisis, and at her age! One thing for sure, the lady's not well-wrapped.