Issues and Traditions in Western Religions

Judaism

A current issue facing the Jewish faith revolves around homosexuality. According to Jewish beliefs sexual relations with a person of the same gender was considered an abomination and a sin before God. Currently, the many factions of Judaism have differing stances on the practice of homosexuality. Many of the more traditional Jewish groups such as the Orthodox and Masorti Jews still considered homosexuality as a sin and their practices exclude men and women determined to be guilty of homosexual acts. On the other hand, groups such as the Reform Judaism movement take a more liberated approach to this topic and are more inclusive.

One of the most widely known Jewish holidays is Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah means “ first of the year” and is often referred to as the ‘Jewish New Year’ (Jewfaq.org, 2006).” This holiday is very similar to the American New Year’s holiday. Jewish persons use the time of Rosh Hashanah to reflect back on their lives and deeds during the previous year. This time is also spent making plans to better themselves and the mark they live on world. Unlike the resolutions made by Americans to mark the beginning of the New Year, Jewish persons take their