|
|
Do other religions have a commonly used terminology similar to the Christian term "born again"?
Question
#113335. Asked by unclerick. (Mar 10 10 6:53 AM)
|
Zbeckabee
|
In Christianity, being born again represents a spiritual and metaphorical rebirth, accepting Jesus as the Messiah and receiving the Holy Spirit. The origin of the term "born again" is the New Testament: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.'"[John 3:3] It is a term associated with Salvation in Christianity.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again_(Christianity)
|
Arpeggionist
|
In Judaism, while the term itself does not really exist, a spiritual "rebirth" is something that can be referred to. Usually, when a non-religious Jew starts living a more religious life, he/she is referred to as a "ba'al/ba'alat t'shuvah" or a "chozer/chozeret bit'shuvah". "T'shuvah" is the Hebrew word for return, reply, response, retort, and is used to signify one's having returned to a more observant lifestyle after having lived a secular one. When the opposite occurs, that is, when a religious Jew gives up his religious lifestyle in favor of the secular, it is referred to as "chazarah bish'elah", the latter word being Hebrew for "question". (These are Hebrew idioms used in Israel, but not often found outside Israel, and one probably cannot find much to explain it on the web. My answer is based on my experience and education as an Israeli.)
|
Arpeggionist
|
I should also mention that this teminology is not the same as that used for converts to Judaism. A convert is known as a "ger/gerat tzedek", the latter word signifying a true and sincere acceptence of Judaism over one's former religion. A convert from Judaism will be known either as a convert to his/her new religion, or by the collective Hebrew pejorative "m'shu'amad/m'shu'medet" ("one whose spirit has been destroyed" - this term does not apply to Jews who are forced to convert to other religions; those who were that but lived secretly as Jews are referred to as "anusim" - literally "forced").
|
star_gazer
|
The New Age religions hold in high esteem the breathing practice of rebirthing. Many claim they are able to reconnect to their actual birth, through this technique, this bring about improvements in health, mental clarity and emotional well-being.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirthing-Breathwork
|
Find something useful here? Please help us spread the word about FunTrivia. Recommend this page below!
|
Sign up to see all responses!
