This day is the most important of the year according to many Jews, Messianic Jews, and Judeo-Christians. My birth family belongs to the third class as they believe the whole Bible is the infallible word of God but my Mother is not Jewish by blood lineage (DNA) so I have no right of return to
as I am a goy.
Now, Yom Kippur is the day when G-d judges a human and decides his fate in the coming year, and his place in the heavenly book of life (does he deserve eternal life or not). It is the opportunity to pray for forgiveness of Sins as defined in the Bible (and possibly the Talmud for Jews) and afflict ones soul (body) by abstaining from sustenance (food and water) and pleasure (sex). Sometimes self-deprecation and groveling is even called for, but not self-flagellation. The mood of the day is extremely serious but manages to also range from neutral to negative to farcical. One is supposed to spend the day in repentance, prayer, and study of the scriptures.
I manage to afflict my soul so regularly, I'm starting to think my sub-conscious is masochistic. FYI I can see the value in a day of reflection and introspection, even in fasting, but not in abstaining from water. Do I believe in the G-d as described in the Bible? Lets say he existed, would I love him?
No. On both counts, for an infinity of reasons. However, it really comes down to the fact that I don't want to sacrifice this life for the promise of another life. That said, I managed to sacrifice 7 years on useless 'education' in the academic system, all in hopes of a better future... I really don't know how that happened. The other major reason comes down to a decision I made when I was 12... that I would not live my life within confines of the interpretation of the ancient book called the Bible. Experience itself would be my Bible.
I understand the power of organized religion. I do. I just can't help thinking about organizing a better religion.