The day Europe's first secular Jew is born

[]D e e v e s · Nov 24, 2013

This Day in Jewish History / Europe's first secular Jew is born - This Day in Jewish History Israel News | Haaretz

As a secular Jew I find this of interest.

November 24, 1632, is the day that philosopher Baruch de Spinoza was born, in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam. The son of a family that originated in Spain before the Inquisition, and eventually settled in Holland, Spinoza was banned by the Jewish community of Amsterdam for his original and allegedly heretical views on God and religion. Although he never recanted his beliefs, he also did not convert to Christianity, and continued developing his philosophy, producing a number of works that are studied to this day. As such, he has been called Europe’s first secular – or modern – Jew.

Paschendale · Nov 27, 2013

I'm pretty sure there have been a lot of secular Jews before this one. The difference is that, up until recently, secular-minded people were persecuted far worse in a lot of places than they are now. It is only in the last few decades that the western world has ceased outright discrimination and violence against the non-religious. A lot of other parts of the world still haven't caught up.

Paralogic · Nov 27, 2013

[]D e e v e s said:
As a ... Jew ...

Religion belongs to religious forums.

The day Europe's first secular Jew is born

[]D e e v e s

Member

Paschendale

Uncanny

Paralogic