avi@pegasus.UUCP (10/03/83)
I agree with most of what Pamela Troy (c/o unc!tim) has said about the
intentions of some fundementalist CHRISTIAN groups towards non-believers. I
do object to one thing. As I have previously stated on the net, many Jews
object to being put into the same category as Christians by the glib use of
"Judeo-Christian". The scenario that Pamela draws about who would be pursued
by the (moral) powers-to-be in such a society would doubtless include Jews
among their first "victims".
There are many organizations - such as the "Jews for Jesus" - that would love
to convert the Jews. It does not concern them that many Jews are perfectly
happy in their present state of religion or atheism/agnosticism. I know that
Pamela did not intend to imply that Jews also want a society that conforms
to them, but I am worried that indiscriminate use of "Judeo-Christian" may
lead to misunderstandings. For the record: most Orthodox Jews don't give a
hoot about the religious practices of "outsiders" and certainly have no wish
to convert them. Other (less observant) Jews tend to be more liberal and are
also not likely to impose their (or any) religion on the country.
Jews and Christians separated religiously (to a large extent) thousands
of years ago. Their religions are completely different. Even the "Sabbath"
that Pamela refers to is not the same (except for Seventh-Day adventists).
The early Christians chose Sunday (instead of Saturday) to differentiate
themselves from the Jews. The early Muslims, in a similar manner,
differentiated themselves from both of their predecessors by choosing
Friday. Although a few radical Jewish groups have allied themselves with the
(a)Moral Majority on such issues as abortion or aid to private schools, they
are miles apart on many of the fundemental issues that Pamela has raised.
I did enjoy her article, tremendously. I am just grinding my own axe. When
it is sharp enough (and I get some free time in my hectic schedule) I can
reply to Paul Dubucs (conciliatory) article about the meaning of virginity.
This is another point where (all) Jews and (some) Christians choose to
disagree.
--
-=> Avi E. Gross @ AT&T Information Systems Laboratories (201) 576-3063
suggested paths: [ihnp4, allegra!houxn, cbosg, hogpc, ...]!pegasus!avigrw@fortune.UUCP (10/13/83)
Umm - Avi said that most Jews couldn't care less about what
other people do with their ethics (something like that anyway).
Well, neither do most Christians. Check the ratio of Moral Majority
members to all professing Christians in this country.
-Glenn