Microsoft. Apple. You name it. I probably know it.
Each week I try to come up with topics that relate to technology and Judaism, from the Kindle to BibleMap. Sometimes coming up with unusual ideas can be a challenge. After all, in some ways, technology contradicts the ways of Judaism. Nevertheless, I try to find ways to enhance our connection and build a bridge between the two. But for today’s posting, I’ve thought of a more down to earth topic that I have been thinking about for the past few weeks.
This semester. UF Hillel started up “Explorations with Rabbi Daniel,” chats that give “a fresh approach to Jewish thought.” What I find most interesting about these discussions is that it’s geared toward students who may or may not believe in a G-d, quite a different approach to drawing people to a religious community house in essence. While some of the topics focus on lighter subjects, others tend to dive into each person’s beliefs and question their spirituality, if any at all.
And then it hit me. I never had any deep thoughts on Judaism until I started to writing about technology. A question occurred to me that I was scared might infringe on my spirituality: Is technology and science racing so far ahead that, one day, it will be able to disprove religion entirely? Sure, technology and science can help us create new gadgets and social networks to build stronger bonds; but will a new device be created or a new discovery tapped into where someone can completely disprove the idea of a higher power? Maybe the device doesn’t have to deal with the Internet, maybe it would be proved through medicine or created in a lab. I find this concept impossible but frightening: To think of how technology and science has advanced within the past 10, 20, 30 years makes you wonder what will happen in the next five. Will spirituality still live on? Will the connection with G-d still remain the same?
The spirituality sessions that Rabbi Daniel hosts are a fantastic idea. Topics that people are normally uncomfortable with or are sometimes blind to are traditionally the most crucial to discuss. It makes a person dig deep into his or her faith, question G-d and modern society, and rationalize what it means to be loyal to one’s beliefs regardless of others’ opinions.
