12.18.11 The Epic Times Article, presale begins

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Uploaded by GaleCWhittington on Dec 18, 2011
Part 1 of 2. ADAM LAMBERT Shopping at an excusive suit store in Shanghai China on December 17, 2011. Posted on YouTube to share on Facebook and elsewhere with ADAM LAMBERT Fans.
Original video by "Lord" (被井爷霸王色霸气外露震撼到的X) on Youku: v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzMzNzY4MTEy.html




Uploaded by GaleCWhittington on Dec 18, 2011
Part 2 of 2. ADAM LAMBERT Shopping at an excusive suit store in Shanghai China on December 17, 2011. Posted on YouTube to share on Facebook and elsewhere with ADAM LAMBERT Fans.
Original video by "Lord" (被井爷霸王色霸气外露震撼到的X) on Youku: v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzMzNzcwNDk2.html

I believe Adam is neither an agnostic or atheist -- but seems to have what might be classified as "New Age" beliefs.

The Torah includes the same 613 commandments as the Christian Old Testiment -- that included a prohibition on homosexuality -- but most Jews do not believe in the literal word of the Torah. Some do.
Here are all of the commandments and even the most orthodox Jews do not follow all of them. www.jewfaq.org/613.htm

172. Not to borrow on interest (Deut. 23:20) (because this would cause the lender to sin)

The is no central authority in Judaism -- and there are differing beliefs in the different of denominations of Judaism. Adam's mother was raised as part of the Reformed Jewish Movement which originated in the US but has moved to other countries. Reformed Jews do not discriminate based on gender or sexual orientation.

I am a Reformed Jew and my rabbi is on the board of PFLAG and will perform gay marriages where legal.

Here is a simple , but excellent overview of the three main Jewish denominations in the US and their view on same sex marriage: www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Sex_and_Sexuality/Homosexuality/Same_Sex_Marriage.shtml

In Israel same sex couples cannot be married but they have almost all the rights of same sex couples -- better than the US.

Don't forget this baby! Has 80,000 plays!

[laugh]

Asking "What is a Jew" is an exceedingly complicated question!

Inheritance-wise, a Jew is someone whose mother is Jewish.

Religously....the permeations are huge between different sects.

There are three major groupings: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.

Orthodox Jews are the ones most likely to adhere to many of the traditional teachings, including keeping kosher, following the rules of no work on the Sabbath, celebrating all holidays and holy-days, and wearing traditional clothing. These are the people who always cover their heads and typically wear black, only walk on Saturday (driving is considered "work"), eat meat that has only been killed humanely and prayed over, and maintain separate kitchenware for milk and meat (based on the stricture that a "kid may not be boiled in its mother's milk"). Religious services are performed in Hebrew and are generally very long. Often men and women sit separately. The ancient precepts of the Torah and Talmud are followed closely. Religious scholarship is de rigor for boys. Girls are educated, but typically not expected to have the same Torah-specific knowledge as boys as they have more family-oriented roles.

Conservative Jews are less strict. They wear regular clothing (maybe plus a kippa [small head covering], but that's generally it). Some keep kosher. Some don't, or have variants of "kosherness". In America, temples services are in both English and Hebrew. Some follow Sabbath rules, some don't, but the rules aren't strictly fussed over and varies from family to family. Both boys and girls are expected to understand religious roles equally. Major holidays are followed (Passover, Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, etc), minor holidays are sometimes not (Lag B'Omer)

Reform Jews are not strict. There is no special clothing and no special dietary rules that "need" to be followed. In the US, services are almost completely in English and are generally much shorter. Probably the only holidays celebrated are Passover, Hannuka and the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanna/Yom Kippur) which often are done "lite" style.

For what its worth, my family has always been on the Orthodox/Conservative border. We don't wear any special clothes, but there's no pork or shellfish in our home and we do have separate milk and meat dishes (although we're frankly pretty lax about it). We eat at regular restaurants. I won't order pork, but I will happily eat a chicken enchilada with cheese on top when not at home. I drive on the Sabbath. Friday night services were sacrosanct when I was growing up and my husband and I still have a Shabbat service at home each week. I send my kid to a Conservative preschool where I have to worry about kosher lunches. My Hebrew is pathetic (girls didn't have to know it when I was a kid, and since I'm bad at languages I always viewed that as a win-win!) My husband is insistent that our daughter be at least as proficient as he was. We belong to a Conservative shul, but pretty much show up only on major holidays unless there's a special kid service or event going on.

As far as I can tell, Adam grew up Reform. He has said in interviews that his background is "Jewish-lite", although he apparently will celebrate the holidays when his friends are. He feels strongly enough about his Jewishness that he does not celebrate Christmas or any Christian holiday, and found it insulting that people tried to hand him New Testament bibles during the Idol tour.

[grins]

That was long winded! Hope it helps somewhat.