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Definition:
Reform Judaism is a modern Jewish movement which developed in the 18th century in
Europe as a reaction to the general development of rationalistic and scientific
philosophies in the Enlightenment. The American branch of Reform Judaism was founded
by the work and teachings of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise.
In principle, Reform Judaism attempts to treat Judaism as a rational religion which can be adapted to modern needs and modern problems. Ancient laws and traditions are treated as relics which may have had importance at one time, but modern Jews need to be able to move beyond them now. If some aspect of the Torah is to be applied to modern life, it must because there are rational reasons to do so - the fact that it is ancient and that Jews have traditionally done it is insufficient.
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Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
