Sacrificing Isaac

What Kind of G-d Would Ask You to Sacrifice Your Son?
a conversation between a Skeptic and a Believer
By
Yanki Tauber

Skeptic: I assume even you guys have a problem with this one. G-d testing Abraham by ordering him to sacrifice his son! And--even worse--Abraham rushing to fulfill the macabre command. Now if that's not the epitome of everything wrong with religion...

Believer: Personally, I have no problem with it. Though I admit it's not as easy for me to explain to a skeptic as, for example, the story of the Exodus...

Skeptic: You have no problem with it? G-d not only condoning, but actually asking for the sacrifice of a human life as a demonstration of faith? If that's how you feel about it, you're no different from the suicide bombers who believe they're killing themselves and scores of innocent men, women and children because G-d wants them to....!

Believer: Aren't you leaving something out? If you're going read the Akeidah story, read it to the end...

Skeptic: I know. In the end Isaac isn't killed. But that's almost besides the point....

Believer: No, that is the point. Or at least a very important point of the story. After Abraham demonstrates the depth of his faith and commitment to G-d with his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, G-d commands Abraham, "Do not reach out you hand to the lad! Do not do anything to him!" G-d makes it clear that He does NOT want us to offer human sacrifices to Him.

Read the rest of the conversation here: Chabad

The whole point of Judaism {or Christianity} is not to die for G-d, but to live for G-d.

But unless you're prepared to quite literally die for G-d, you cannot truly live for G-d.
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