Religious views of Gentiles

Hello, I would like to ask about Jewish views on Gentiles' faith. From the point of view of Judaism are Gentiles expected to have any religious beliefs and if so how are they supposed to find out about them? My understanding is that Judaism is largely a non-proselytizing religion so a specific set of beliefs should not be expected from Gentiles, however, I've heard some opinions that non-jews need to follow Noah's laws, but it's unclear how they are supposed to find out about them without no scripture directed to them and no proselytizing. According to Judaism does God care what non-Jews believe or don't believe in?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Indeed, you are correct that there is a bit of a challenge here: on the one hand, yes, all mankind must follow the 7 laws of Noah. On the other hand, how are they supposed to know this if it is not explicitly cited in scripture.

There are a few answers to this question. The most common answer is that it was meant to be passed down from Noah, father to son, onwards. Another answer is that mankind is expected to come to the conclusion themselves that these 7 laws must be followed. Unfortunately, these 7 commandments were often not observed, and it is upon us, the “light among the nations”, to strengthen this message of monotheism and morality. As Maimonides writes: "Moses was commanded from the mouth of G-d to convince all the inhabitants of the world to observe the commandments given to the Children of Noah" [Laws of Kings 8:10]. Nevertheless, it is a dispute among halachic authorities whether there is an obligation nowadays for Jews to spread the message of the 7 laws to the non-Jewish world. But we should definitely share the message with those, like you, who ask!

The 7 Noahide laws are a ban on:

1. idolatry
2. blasphemy and cursing the Name of G-d
3. murder
4. robbery and theft
5. immorality and forbidden sexual relations
6. removing and eating a limb from a live animal and
7. require the establishment of a justice system and courts of law to enforce the other six laws.

Any non-Jew who keeps these laws is considered a righteous gentile and deserving the World-to-Come.