Ethical Culturist

[Edwardt]

Hi, David, I remember in one of your past responses to another questioner, you mentioned your father, I believe, was an Ethical Culturist. I've always considered myself fairly well informed, but I had never heard of this group or religion. I mentioned it to a friend of mine who happens to be an Orthodox Jew (I should mention he's somewhat arrogant and opinionated in his views on other religions; for instance, he doesn't consider Reformed Jews to be Jews at all and I can only hazard a guess as to what he thinks regarding me- a gentile agnostic). He was somewhat dismissive, referring to it as a "debating society." Just recently, I noticed they had a headquarters in Teaneck, NJ, so obviously its still a viable group. I was wondering whether you were an adherent of this religion, or what you feelings were regarding it? What positive things, if any, did you get from it?
Thanks,
Ed T.

[DAVID HESS]

Eddy T.,
It probably was a debating society. My grandparents joined it when they came from the Russian Pogroms in the late 19th cent. They wanted no more of organized religion. Can't say as I blame them. As to the 'whys and wheres', I never got much info from my Papa as he was not only mute on the subject but married into Jewish Reformed Royalty...A total of 7 Rabbis in my immediate family. I was raised as a jewish rascal, not even confirmed or Bar Mitzvahed. The Ethical Cultural link went the way of 'lost in the rush to the temple' and I didn't find out anything from my russian speaking granny before she passed on, so I got no real attachment to it. What little I've been able to glean over the years is that it approached religion from a very 'in the moment-intellectual' concept. What ever that means. It probably incorporates some of the eastern philosophies and I wouldn't be surprised if Gurdjiev had some influence in its beginnings. As for your orthodox friend. Being Orthodox doesn't necessarily mean being informed. Religion, organized as it is, is in such a state of flux that anything that smacks of orthodoxy is on the way out, anyway. My opinion!
Be well Eddy mah friend.
David