tim@cmu-cs-k.ARPA (Tim Maroney) (01/13/85)
Here is a letter confirming what I have claimed about certain Christian proselytizing organizations that pretend to be Jewish for the purpose of converting Jews to Christianity. The sender did not indicate that he wanted his name known. -- start of letter -- Subject: Re: What is a Jew? Greetins, Tim! I really appreciated that article, and have had my own troubles with Jews for Jesus. There is a local chapter in Toronto, which I imagine has about 40-60 full time adherents. This compares to a jewish population of about 130,000 in Toronto, out of 2.2 million in total. The past two years they have really been trying to push themselves, especially around the U of T campus. Tactics include approaching students and asking "Are you Jewish?" and then (if the answer was yes) trying to persuade the person to come to an "oneg shabbat" or other type of affair, or failing that, making sure they got a Jews for Jesus pamphlet. (whoops! are YOU a yid??? An oneg shabbat is kinda like a get-together friday evening after the sabbath has started) Several friends of mine, not knowing who these people really were in the first place (you're right, they *don't* usually mention Jesus until much later on), were easily persuaded since their jewish education was either lacking or forgotten amongst university exams. Suffice to say, some contrary persuasive arguements were required just to keep my friend's feet on the ground so they wouldn't screw their brains totally (...something like: "o.k. friend, if you wanna question religion and try and find yourself, fine. But do your @%*&!!! essays and assignments and study for your #@$%&!! exams!!! The only time you have to fart around with religious convictions is *after* you graduate" :-) ). Anyhow, I lump these bozos in with the Moonies and other types....they tend to pray (sorry, pun not intended) on unknowing suckers who don't have the ability in the first place to argue their way *into* a dry paper bag, let alone out of a wet one. I guesstimate that there are only a few hundred of them in the first place, so they scarcely amount to a religious movement anyway. Ah well, it always reminds me of Life of Brian.... regards -- end of letter -- That last sentence seems particularly apt. -=- Tim Maroney, Carnegie-Mellon University Computation Center ARPA: Tim.Maroney@CMU-CS-K uucp: seismo!cmu-cs-k!tim CompuServe: 74176,1360 audio: shout "Hey, Tim!" "Remember all ye that existence is pure joy; that all the sorrows are but as shadows; they pass & are done; but there is that which remains." Liber AL, II:9.