Why Are You Imposing 'Secular Religion' on Us?

Something interesting happened this week. I was introduced to a new concept, and I owe my thanks to Yair Lapid, Avigdor Liberman, Yael German, and a few motivated activists of 'Free Israel', apologies if I forgot anyone.

Let me clarify briefly - we've always known there is a Jewish religion with its rules, customs, laws, and commandments. In contrast, a person wanting to be free chooses the secular lifestyle, which ostensibly has none of the above obligations and allows living without any burdens.

This week I heard about a new branch established in secular religion. This new branch argues it's no longer so free and has quite a few laws, judgments, and even decrees. One of these decrees concerns public space, and listen carefully: it must be mixed, no separation is allowed.

A Legitimate Demand, Shocking Reactions

Yes, I am referring to the uproar, the crocodile tears, and the loud cries following the leak that the Torah Judaism movement in negotiations with Likud introduced a demand, which also made it into the coalition agreements, to cancel the prohibition against gender separation in public places.

The goal of Torah Judaism is to prevent a situation like last year when a Chabad Chassidic event in Rabin Square, which was supposed to have a partition, was almost canceled. The Tel Aviv municipality informed the event organizers that they refused to allow it because of the prohibition against gender-segregated events in public spaces, even if privately funded. In this specific case, the judge eventually allowed the event, but throughout, there were demonstrations by those activists so worried about harming the secular law they adopted, because, as mentioned: "There must be a mixture in the public space; it cannot be otherwise."

The reactions following the legitimate demand by Torah Judaism this week to repeal this law demonstrated to any sensible person the big lie hidden in the newly invented religion and the incitement that has become convoluted. Avigdor Liberman wrote on his Twitter account: "Repealing the prohibition on gender separation is another step toward turning Israel into a Halachic state." He added with full force: "Yisrael Beiteinu will not allow this, and we will fight with all our might to prevent it."

Yair Lapid exclaimed his own outrage: "The fact that Bibi succumbed to the demand of Torah Judaism to include gender separation in public places in the law is nothing short of madness," he wrote, "The man who has been speaking against Iran for twenty years is importing it here."

Imposition of 'Secular Religion'

You don't need a psychology certificate to understand these folks fear religious coercion. Even without deep analysis, it's clear the fear already drives them to madness. But let's pause for a moment and think logically: what is religious coercion, which they so fear? To be sure, I searched for the dictionary definition, and here is the result: "Religious coercion is imposing a religious norm on the public or its parts, infringing on freedom of religion, freedom from religion, or the conscience of the public or individual."

And speaking plainly, when a religion—Circassian, Muslim, Jewish, or any other—imposes its rules on a minority that does not want it, that is religious coercion.

And what is happening in our little country? A few party leaders, mortally afraid of anything with a spark of holiness, say: "We are not prepared to allow the observant to live as they please. We must live in a mix in the country, and we must adhere to the 'secular religion.' Allowing separation is impossible." The absurdity cries out; they themselves prohibit the minority from doing what they do, so what is that if not coercion?

The Jewish public in Israel consists of at least 20% who observe Shabbat, and more than a third of the members of the Knesset wear a kippah. It's time to demand what is ours. To ask for something so elementary—to consider us and our views. We do not mean to impose ourselves on the secular public or ask to turn Israel into a Halachic state (if only we could). We only ask one thing—please, do not impose your new 'secular religion' on us. Thank you.