What is the difference between Polydox Judaism and Ethical Culture?
26A. A number of fundamental differences exist between Polydox Judaism and Ethical Culture. Three may be stated. The first is that Ethical Culture is not a religion. Felix Adler, the founder of Ethical Culture, wished to bring together people who wanted to do “Good” without having to dispute over religion. The stated aims of the New York Ethical Culture Society make this point clearly: “To teach the superiority of the moral ends above all human ends and interest; . . .to advance the science and art of right living.” Polydox Judaism, on the other hand, is first and foremost a religion, that is, a vehicle to attain soteria. Second, Ethical Culture disassociates itself completely with the Jewish religious enterprise, and does not in any degree bear the impress of Jewishness. Polydox Judaism, however, sees itself as a new Jewish religion, a Jewish emergent. Thirdly, Ethical Culture makes no affirmation of individual freedom. Polydox Judaism makes freedom its fundamental principle.
