Death & Suffering.

Dear R. Abbi,

In my work with hospice, I often wonder why people have to endure pain and suffering on their deathbed. Coming from an Irish Catholic background, I still today get the message that suffering and pain is the only way to absolve oneself of the "original sin" bestowed upon us. Despite much work on my part to dispel this myth, when I am present for a particularly diffcult death, I go right back to that premise. I really need to break this pattern. Any suggestions?

- Euthanatos

---

Dear Euthanatos -

Augustine of Hippo is widely attributed with coining the notion of “original sin.” My read on the genesis story (and I would say that of most modern scholars) does not concur with the horrific theology that stems from this line of thinking — that God is cruel and un-just.

I would ask you to instead of wondering what St. Augustine might think, to consider instead, “What Would Jesus Do?”

And, I know the answer to that.

It’s one you know too: have compassion for the person who is dying and lovingly witness to them their pain. And, equally importantly, have compassion and love for yourself.

You are doing holy work.

With love,

R.Abbi.

NT2Jew

Dear R. Abbi -

How much does it bother you when Christians quote the New Testament to you? We've seen Jews in conversations when this happens explain they don't adhere to the New Testament and don't find it authoritative anymore than most Christians look to the Apocrypha for guidance. But we have Jewish friends who remind us that the majority of the NT (New Testament) is quoting the Torah (Old Testament) anyway so they don't get too annoyed -- except for that Yoshea-is-the-Messiah thing. What say you?

-- NT2JEW

---

Dear NT2Jew,

What a wonderful question.

Let me answer it with another question, "Why should I be offended or bothered?"

I think we as religious people need to keep our eyes on the prize, so to speak.

Differences in what we call our Holy Books (whether you call it "The Gospel," "The Talmud," or "The Qur’an") or what words are contained in each don't really matter when you keep your focus on the greater goal: to live a life in concert with (the) God (of our understanding).

Us and them is a wonderful way to establish a false sense of self. Moreover, it separates us from each other. The goal, when you really think about it, isn't to be a part from, it's being a part of.

With regard to that "Yoshea-is-the-Messiah thing," I know of Christians who don't believe this and Jews who do. To me, it's about the goal . . . love, feeling satisfied, peace-filled, etc.

With eyes on the prize –

R. Abbi

N. Joy Burger

Dear R.Abbi,

In-N-Out Burger just opened a branch next to my store and it is great. Everyone that works there is very pleasant and the food along with the fries are as fresh as can be.

But I just recently found out something and want to know your opinion: on the bottom of each cup is printed John 3:16.

When I looked this up it said: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Also on the wrapper of the hamburger it has Nahum 1:7 printed on it which when I looked it up it said: "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him."

So basically In-N-Out is saying that if you accept Jesus Christ (no matter how good you are) you will have eternal life but if you do not believe (even if you led a perfect life) you will basically go to hell.

Do you think, being Jewish, that I should not go to In-N-Out?

N. Joy Burger

---

Dear N. Joy Burger

Really, do you care? Or is this a case of thinking that being Jewish means "not" being Christian and dissociating yourself from all things Christian?

I’ve had wonderful meals at Hare Krishna restaurants and I’ve had crappy meals at kosher restaurants. Personally, I don't think the theology of the chef has much to do with the quality of the meal.

Moreover, ethically and morally, In-N-Out Burger scores the highest of any hamburger chain: they pay their employees well and use meat that is far healthier. (Check out Eric Schlosser's book and documentary Fast Food Nation for all the fascinating details.)

With regard to the quotes, I like the Nahum quote, don’t you? And with regard to John 3:16, I'd advise that you "take what you like and leave the rest . . ." You don't want to believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for your sins, that's fine. But the idea that God loves you, me, and all the world is a pretty groovy idea. . .

Next time you see a wrapper with some theology you aren't certain you agree with, I think you should take a moment to think about how blessed you are in your life. That you have the ability to make choices. That you can choose to eat there or not.

Finally, be careful you don’t raise your cholesterol too high by eating there too much.

R. Abbi

Angered In His Name

Dear R. Abbi, I'm so put off by the horrible things done in the name of organized religion that I want nothing to do with it. What do you say to that? -Angered-in-His-Name.

---

Dear Angered-in-His-Name,

I certainly admit that some pretty terrible things have been done in the name of religion. (I'd be a fool not to.) But declaring that this is the reason not to have anything to do with religion is not a really well thought out argument.

Let me explain:

• Even though awful things have been done in the name of organized religions, they have been responsible for some good things as well, no?

At this point, I know some readers are saying: "What good things!?!" If you can't think of any examples on your own - which indicates that you possibly have quite a bit of baggage with regard to organized religion - let me give you two to begin with: 1) organized religions routinely feed the hungry and 2) give hope to the downtrodden.

• Atrocious acts have also been committed in the name of Communism, Nazism, Capitalism, and Democracy - none of which are associated with religion.

Consequently, as "religion-free" organizations have also inspired equally heinous acts, we know that religion isn't really the true culprit. (So, then what is to blame for evil? Ah, that's a whole other discussion . . .)

• Doing something in the name of something else doesn't make the named something responsible. Ronald Reagan was shot at in the hopes of impressing Jodi Foster. I don't know of any people who won't watch her movies because of this.

Moreover, do you really think that the Catholic Irish Republican Army took up arms against the Protestant English simply because of divergent opinions with regard to the Holy Trinity? Perhaps other issues, like land and power, have had something to do with it too?)

So, Angered-in-His-Name, don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

There is a four-letter word a Jesuit priest taught me that I want to share with you: some.

Some is a very important concept we often forget about.

We don't like everything, but we do like some. We don't need everything, but we do need some. We don't hate everything, but we do hate some.

Certainly there might be parts of organized religion that you don't like or that don't work for you. But, I would suggest, instead of closing your mind to all of it, that you make a conscious effort to look for "some" parts of it that are redeeming . . .

With love, R. Abbi