The Jewish Situation

[Spiffier]

The state does not issue marriage licences at all, it's a completely religious thing. That doesn't exist in the US.

And the ADL would fiercely protest it existing in the U.S.

Also, wouldn't you be happy that Israel doesn't allow same sex marriage?

I'm not happy that Israel's defenders in the U.S. work for it in this country. I only mention Israel not having it to emphasize their disturbing hypocrisy.

[Sichem]

You serial killers!

Come again?

Also, wouldn't you be happy that Israel doesn't allow same sex marriage?

I'm not happy that Israel's defenders in the U.S. work for it in this country. I only mention Israel not having it to emphasize their disturbing hypocrisy.

If we want to get technical, Israel does allow same-sex marriage - if you do it in the country you were living in before immigrating here, nobody will stop you from staying here and your marriage will still be considered a marriage, not some civil union.

We even allowed a Jewish-Catholic gay couple to return once.

[Republic of the Cristo]

'Religion plays a very significant role in the state'

Obviously not that significant. It is the only country in the region with religious freedom.

The creation of the State of Israel is actually considered to be one of the greatest successes of secular Judaism - as in, it does not have a state religion and, even though the old conservative Zionist generation being still in power would give you a false impression to the other way, Israel is actually one of the most secular nations on the planet - almost half of Israeli Jews are secular and most others are non-observant.

Which was always weird to me. The entire history behind the Jews is based around religion. If they all became atheists or what ever, what is the point of claiming to be Jewish?

[Nova Roma et agros captos]

I have not met many Jews, as far as I'm aware, but they've all been friendly to me and I had a great time chatting with some of them.
I like the idea of Israel (that Jews have a safe place) but I don't think that it's working.
In general, Anti-Semitism is born out of ignorance, and says more about the Gentiles than the Jews.

[Valaran]

Which was always weird to me. The entire history behind the Jews is based around religion. If they all became atheists or what ever, what is the point of claiming to be Jewish?

Its a cultural thing as well. Irreligious Jews are no less Jewish.

[Nova Roma et agros captos]

The creation of the State of Israel is actually considered to be one of the greatest successes of secular Judaism - as in, it does not have a state religion and, even though the old conservative Zionist generation being still in power would give you a false impression to the other way, Israel is actually one of the most secular nations on the planet - almost half of Israeli Jews are secular and most others are non-observant.

Which was always weird to me. The entire history behind the Jews is based around religion. If they all became atheists or what ever, what is the point of claiming to be Jewish?

To remember where they came from any what their ancestors had to go through to let them live there.

[Sichem]

The creation of the State of Israel is actually considered to be one of the greatest successes of secular Judaism - as in, it does not have a state religion and, even though the old conservative Zionist generation being still in power would give you a false impression to the other way, Israel is actually one of the most secular nations on the planet - almost half of Israeli Jews are secular and most others are non-observant.

Which was always weird to me. The entire history behind the Jews is based around religion. If they all became atheists or what ever, what is the point of claiming to be Jewish?

Secular Jews aren't like your atheists or agnostics - they are still Jews and follow some, if not most of Jewish tradition, just that they focus on the historical and cultural aspects of Judaism and view it as a part of Jewish culture, instead of a religion.

[Republic of the Cristo]

Which was always weird to me. The entire history behind the Jews is based around religion. If they all became atheists or what ever, what is the point of claiming to be Jewish?

Secular Jews aren't like your atheists or agnostics - they are still Jews and follow some, if not most of Jewish tradition, just that they focus on the historical and cultural aspects of Judaism and view it as a part of Jewish culture, instead of a religion.

So, they do all of the religious traditions, but without belief? Sounds kind of hollow.

[Sichem]

Secular Jews aren't like your atheists or agnostics - they are still Jews and follow some, if not most of Jewish tradition, just that they focus on the historical and cultural aspects of Judaism and view it as a part of Jewish culture, instead of a religion.

So, they do all of the religious traditions, but without belief? Sounds kind of hollow.

Yes, in a way, though I wouldn't say it is "hollow". I'm a Hiloni (secular Jew) myself, like my family, and we simply view Judaism as you view, say, the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution. We consider the Biblical history of Israel of cultural and historical value, rather than of religious one.

[Menassa]

I'm not happy that Israel's defenders in the U.S. work for it in this country. I only mention Israel not having it to emphasize their disturbing hypocrisy.

You've got a bit of a confusing litany of beliefs there friend, you're against Same Sex marriage but you don't like the fact that Israel is against Same Sex Marriage because it is hypocritical?

Seems like you just have an irrational hatred for the state of Israel.

[Thermodolia]

I really need to get better eyes or something because each time I see the title I'm reading it as the Jewish Solution instead of situation

[Nova Roma et agros captos]

You've got a bit of a confusing litany of beliefs there friend, you're against Same Sex marriage but you don't like the fact that Israel is against Same Sex Marriage because it is hypocritical?

Seems like you just have an irrational hatred for the state of Israel.

Or he just got confused with all the negatives?

[Menassa]

I really need to get better eyes or something because each time I see the title I'm reading it as the Jewish Solution instead of situation

I'm still not entirely sure what the Jewish situation is lol.

[Menassa]

You've got a bit of a confusing litany of beliefs there friend, you're against Same Sex marriage but you don't like the fact that Israel is against Same Sex Marriage because it is hypocritical?

Seems like you just have an irrational hatred for the state of Israel.

Or he just got confused with all the negatives?

Possibility, I would like him to restate his position then.

[Thermodolia]

I really need to get better eyes or something because each time I see the title I'm reading it as the Jewish Solution instead of situation

I'm still not entirely sure what the Jewish situation is lol.

Well that makes two of us.

[The Seven Angels]

As a Jew who has always lived in a relatively christian area of the U.S. (a.k.a. all of it), knowing how the U.S. has treated us in the past, and experiencing the overwhelming dislike of our Israeli favoritism among the populace, I've always felt relatively insecure in the U.S. So, nations from the states or otherwise, how do you guys feel about us, and what do you think of supporting Israel as a nation?

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about Jews, although in general I try to avoid being prejudiced and give individual Jewish people the benefit of the doubt as I get to know them, as I would with anyone else. In fact, my best friend is from a non-practicing Jewish family, even though he doesn't usually make it an important part of his identity.

That being said, I believe there's evidence that a small, powerful group of Jewish people, although certainly not all or even most, have a disproportionate amount of influence in American media and politics, and I'm very uncomfortable with the direction they've been taking the country. From what I've seen, they basically control the Democratic party, and many elements of the Republican party as well, which impedes its ability to act as a truly reactionary or nationalist force in American politics.

Even though I know that not all Jewish people believe in this, I find the religious teaching that the Jewish ethnic group is God's Chosen People, meant to rule over the rest of humanity, to be narcissistic, materialistic, and possibly even idolatrous. Many well meaning Christians have been deceived by this unbiblical teaching, which leads them to unquestioningly support the State of Israel and Jewish political influence at home. True Christianity teaches that anyone can become one of God's Chosen people by dedicating themselves to the Messiah, and that biological race has nothing to do with It.

As far as Israel goes, I don't believe the United States has any responsibility to fund or protect it, and that as an independent nation, it should support itself in order to continue existing. Zionism is giving America and Europe far too many enemies in the Middle East, who are sneaking into Western nations along with Arab immigrants and refugees to destroy our nations from within. If the West stopped supporting Zionism, Islamic terrorist organizations would lose one of the most important justifications for their existence, and recruitment would plummet. Once America steps out, whatever is meant to happen to Israel will happen. God will decide your fate based on your faithfulness.

[Menassa]

As a Jew who has always lived in a relatively christian area of the U.S. (a.k.a. all of it), knowing how the U.S. has treated us in the past, and experiencing the overwhelming dislike of our Israeli favoritism among the populace, I've always felt relatively insecure in the U.S. So, nations from the states or otherwise, how do you guys feel about us, and what do you think of supporting Israel as a nation?

[...]

Even though I know that not all Jewish people believe in this, I find the religious teaching that the Jewish ethnic group is God's Chosen People, meant to rule over the rest of humanity, to be narcissistic, materialistic, and possibly even idolatrous. Many well meaning Christians have been deceived by this unbiblical teaching, which leads them to unquestioningly support the State of Israel and Jewish political influence at home. True Christianity teaches that anyone can become one of God's Chosen people by dedicating themselves to the Messiah, and that biological race has nothing to do with It.
[...]

You gravely misunderstand the Biblical meaning of 'chosen-ness.'

[The Seven Angels]

You gravely misunderstand the Biblical meaning of 'chosen-ness.'

How so? Are you saying that I'm wrong about the New Testament consistently identifying Christians as the Chosen People, or about the beliefs held by the majority of religious Jews?

[Menassa]

You gravely misunderstand the Biblical meaning of 'chosen-ness.'

How so? Are you saying that I'm wrong about the New Testament consistently identifying Christians as the Chosen People, or about the beliefs held by the majority of religious Jews?

Let's take a look at Scripture for a moment, the Jews were not chosen to as you say 'Rule over the rest of humanity' the Jews were not chosen for safety, and to be rewarded with money and security, as is evident from History that is clearly not the case.

However, the Jews, we were chosen to, as Isaiah says be a Light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). To teach the world that a human ought to behave humanly, this is the Jew's purpose, to bring this sense of godliness into the world. Nothing to do at all with 'Ruling over others.'

[The Seven Angels]

How so? Are you saying that I'm wrong about the New Testament consistently identifying Christians as the Chosen People, or about the beliefs held by the majority of religious Jews?

Let's take a look at Scripture for a moment, the Jews were not chosen to as you say 'Rule over the rest of humanity' the Jews were not chosen for safety, and to be rewarded with money and security, as is evident from History that is clearly not the case.

However, the Jews, we were chosen to, as Isaiah says be a Light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). To teach the world that a human ought to behave humanly, this is the Jew's purpose, to bring this sense of godliness into the world. Nothing to do at all with 'Ruling over others.'

I believe I understand what you're saying. So the Jews are meant to lead the world by setting a moral example and humbling themselves rather than glorifying themselves. That's actually a lot closer to what Christianity teaches, if still being exclusive of other ethnic groups.

[Spiffier]

How so? Are you saying that I'm wrong about the New Testament consistently identifying Christians as the Chosen People, or about the beliefs held by the majority of religious Jews?

Let's take a look at Scripture for a moment, the Jews were not chosen to as you say 'Rule over the rest of humanity' the Jews were not chosen for safety, and to be rewarded with money and security, as is evident from History that is clearly not the case.

However, the Jews, we were chosen to, as Isaiah says be a Light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). To teach the world that a human ought to behave humanly, this is the Jew's purpose, to bring this sense of godliness into the world. Nothing to do at all with 'Ruling over others.'

Yeah, fine job there.

Christian charity: means an organization that provides to the needy in general.

Jewish charity: means an organization that provides solely to Jews.

[Menassa]

Let's take a look at Scripture for a moment, the Jews were not chosen to as you say 'Rule over the rest of humanity' the Jews were not chosen for safety, and to be rewarded with money and security, as is evident from History that is clearly not the case.

However, the Jews, we were chosen to, as Isaiah says be a Light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). To teach the world that a human ought to behave humanly, this is the Jew's purpose, to bring this sense of godliness into the world. Nothing to do at all with 'Ruling over others.'

I believe understand what you're saying. So the Jews re meant to lead the world by setting a moral example and humbling themselves rather than glorifying themselves. That's actually a lot closer to what Christianity teaches, if still being exclusive of other ethnic groups.

Additionally, Jews don't require other people to be Jews in order to be right with God, only people who are born Jews are required to practice the laws of Judaism, everyone else has to be simply be moral people. So it is actually the Jews who get the shorter end of the stick on this one.

This is all without discussing the polemical nature of Christianity's assertion that they are the 'New Israel' or whatever.

[Menassa]

Let's take a look at Scripture for a moment, the Jews were not chosen to as you say 'Rule over the rest of humanity' the Jews were not chosen for safety, and to be rewarded with money and security, as is evident from History that is clearly not the case.

However, the Jews, we were chosen to, as Isaiah says be a Light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). To teach the world that a human ought to behave humanly, this is the Jew's purpose, to bring this sense of godliness into the world. Nothing to do at all with 'Ruling over others.'

Yeah, fine job there.

Christian charity: means an organization that provides to the needy in general.

Jewish charity: means an organization that provides solely to Jews.

Many Jewish charities provide to the world at large, first of all, and second it's a matter of familial preference.

If your brother needed money and a stranger needed money, would you turn your brother away for the stranger?

[Spiffier]

I believe understand what you're saying. So the Jews re meant to lead the world by setting a moral example and humbling themselves rather than glorifying themselves. That's actually a lot closer to what Christianity teaches, if still being exclusive of other ethnic groups.

Additionally, Jews don't require other people to be Jews in order to be right with God, only people who are born Jews are required to practice the laws of Judaism, everyone else has to be simply be moral people. So it is actually the Jews who get the shorter end of the stick on this one.

This is all without discussing the polemical nature of Christianity's assertion that they are the 'New Israel' or whatever.

Judaism used to be very oriented toward proselytizing, even forced at times. It didn't really become a religion almost exclusively for those born into it until the Middle Ages.

[Menassa]

Additionally, Jews don't require other people to be Jews in order to be right with God, only people who are born Jews are required to practice the laws of Judaism, everyone else has to be simply be moral people. So it is actually the Jews who get the shorter end of the stick on this one.

This is all without discussing the polemical nature of Christianity's assertion that they are the 'New Israel' or whatever.

Judaism used to be very oriented toward proselytizing, even forced at times. It didn't really become a religion almost exclusively for those born into it until the Middle Ages.

I don't know where your basing that information off of, but it is false.