Many approach the Laws of Noah with a weariness of religious oppression. Others assume that the Laws of
Noah come together with a load of obligatory beliefs like many other religions, or that keeping the Laws of Noah will somehow
prevent individuals from forming their own personal ideas and perspectives. You may be surprised that, while on the
one hand the Laws of Noah consist of very clearly defined parameters for human conduct (something which society
requires anyway), at the same time they allow for great freedom of individual thought and speculation.
While it is true that the Laws of Noah do imply certain beliefs, lack of confidence or non-acceptence of these implied
beliefs do not prevent the individual from upholding the Laws of Noah. As a rule, the Laws of Noah concern ACTION
- what one may do and what one may not do. Anything not included in the actual Laws of Noah is likewise not binding
on the individual as a prerequisite for upholding the Laws of Noah.
The only belief that is implicitly required for upholding the Laws of Noah is the belief that individuals should uphold
these same laws. The individual's personal reason for why he believes the Laws of Noah should be upheld is
not a matter of law, eventhough only an individual who upholds the Laws of Noah because the Creator instructed us to do so
is assured a place in 'the world to come' (ei: eternal life).
The Laws of Noah do not even specify an obligation that the non-Israelite do specific acts of devotion or worship toward
the Creator, although to do specific acts of devotion to anything other than the Creator is completely forbidden.
Zechariah 14 and other Biblical passages indicate that in the future the nations will be obligated to worship the Creator by specific
acts of devotion - but even this, is not obligatory for the individual to believe until that time comes - and when that time
comes it will be known without doubt, for the same passages speak of miraculous acts of nature which will compel the nations
to observe these future laws. Although this will be at a future time, as a Christian song based on
Isaiah 45:23 states: "
One day every tongue will confess you are 'G-d,' one day every knee will bow; still, the greatest treasure
remains for those who gladly choose You now."
These things in mind, it should be apparent that the non-Israelite is not obligated to accept all the traditional
Jewish opinions regarding matters unrelated to actual matters of law; nor is the non-Israelite forbidden by the Laws of Noah
to continue having beliefs based on non-Jewish religions, so long as these beliefs do not prevent him from upholding the Laws
of Noah.
The following are major non-Jewish beliefs permissible to non-Israelites while upholding the Laws of Noah,
without regard to my own acceptance or approval of them:
Jes'us is the promised Messiah.
Muhhammad was the greatest and final prophet.
Jes'us was born of a virgin.
The following are beliefs related to the above which, if acted upon, violate the Laws of Noah:
Upon his death, Jes'us became mediator between 'G-d' and man, and therefore all prayers should be directed through
him as mediator. *[This would violate the prohibition against idolatry, which includes worshipping the true Creator by
means of a mediator / go-between.]
Because Muhhammad was the greatest prophet, we should act according to his instruction even if he instructed
us to do religious practices which do not have basis in the Torah. *[This would violate prohibition of religious innovations,
establishing of holy days, etc..]
Jes'us was born 'god in flesh;' thus, his being 'god' having become a man - religious service / worship should
be directed to him. *[This would violate the prohibition against idolatry, for any thing to which occurances of physicallity
apply is absolutely not the Creator: "I am 'G-d' and not a man..." (
Hosea 11:9) "For I am the TRANSCENDENT LORD and I do not change..." (
Malachi 3:6)]
Look well over the Laws of Noah to see whether you have any beliefs which, if acted upon, would violate the Laws of Noah. If after
studying the Laws of Noah you are still uncertain about some particular belief, leave a message on the guestbook together with your e-mail address and I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible.
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Examples of 'Beliefs' Implied by Laws of Noah:
The Creator rules all realms of existence;
The actions of all humans matter to the Creator;
It is proper to be humble before the Creator at all times;
The Creator has a plan and purpose for all mankind and creation;
Reliablity and Authority of Written and Oral Torah;
Uniqueness of the Land of Israel;
