Why Faith Matters: Rabbi David J. Wolpe

In the last few years, a host of books have suggested that God is an illusion and religion is a dangerous myth. In response to this movement, known as "the new atheism," Rabbi David Wolpe offers a thought-provoking look at faith and history, faith and science, and the way faith functions in the world. His newest book, "Why Faith Matters," is a powerful argument for the place of God, religion and faith in today's world. October 28, 2008

David Wolpe is a senior rabbi at the Sinai Temple of Los Angeles. He has previously taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and Hunter College in New York, and currently teaches at UCLA. He is the author of six previous books, including the national bestseller, "Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times." Earlier this year Newsweek magazine named him the #1 pulpit rabbi in America.

For more information on the Emory Center for Ethics, visit;
www.ethics.emory.edu

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[escobarmarga]

I enjoyed very much your conference. I watched it because I love to read about religions (I'm Catholic). By coincidence, I am undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and I will try to consider myself lucky, even though it is hard. Regards

[johnmresler]

@jloo222 Hi jloo,

I believe there is a fault in your argument. He may not have grown up Jewish but it is certainly possible that he would have grown Buddhist or Christian or Islamic (there are small groups of Christians/Islamics in China). In short, China may be communist but it is certainly untrue that China is not religious.

[MrSlytherator]

Dude u seem to oppose Sam harris.. Why not debate him.... And he fits the long nose thing about Jewish lol

[privateny]

i like this guy! very well-spoken and interesting! 

[charlotteamalie]

Rabbi Wolpe, Where is your demonstration of faith in Hashem's Torah by eating treif, being mechallel shabbos and your wife not going to the mikvah? And why do you keep quoting goyishe philosophers? Nietsche & Dostoyevsky? Are you for real? You call yourself a "Rabbi" when you didn't open a Chumash at all during your speech? Your type of "Judaism" is dying out and won't exist much longer. All you care about is your career and not the future of Reform & Conservative Jews.

[ggammel]

Hi dear Rabbi~ you do not want to miss Andrew Wommack's teaching at awm (dot) net Click 2010 Archives (left column) & choose Week 5 Jan 31 Hardness of Heart (disregard title, I promise this is on point) This is a whole week of broadcasts & clicking the 1st one plays all 5, so click the last one: "Gospel Truth TV - February 4, 2011." You can always go back & play the whole series, just don't miss Feb 4. This is what we miss & why: lack of consideration & meditation on the supernatural.~gg

[danieldemol]

What an amazing fellow, he speaks a lot like a Baha'i :)

[albie77]

@johnmresler I don't see where we disagree. I never claimed he accepts all religions as paths to God -- in fact, I've never heard him say that. I was simply repeating what he HAS said (and written), which is that there is not only one path to God. I think this is something he genuinely believes, since he says it a lot. And I agree with you that he demonstrates great wisdom by not showing disrespect to other religions. So, no worries about a holy war! Be well. :)