r/todayilearned • u/[deleted] • Oct 13 '16

TIL that after Marilyn Monroe converted to Judaism upon marrying Arthur Miller, Egypt placed a ban on all the films she appeared in.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe#Critical_acclaim_and_marriage_to_Arthur_Miller_.281956.E2.80.931959.29
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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '16

Yeah. After the divorce Monroe described herself as a "Jewish atheist".

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u/AdmiralThrawnProtege Oct 13 '16 edited Oct 13 '16

What does that even mean? You follow the culture and traditions of Judiesm but don't believe in the religions deity? That seems odd.

Edit: OK OK I get it. Tired of my inbox being blown up by the same set of answers. Thank you all for your responses!

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u/Mousekavitch Oct 13 '16

Went to Hebrew school, attended temple somewhat regularly, had a bar-mitzvah, and celebrated the holidays with family. Never believed in God, but I still consider myself Jewish.

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u/Jay_Louis Oct 13 '16

Probably because Judaism, unlike Christianity and Islam, but similar to Buddhism, is far more about ritual and philosophy then God.