Posted on 03/06/2004 8:42:17 PM PST by woofie
DENVER - A Denver synagogue was damaged with graffiti overnight. Swastikas were drawn on the synagogue on south Monaco Parkway.
The graffiti was in the doorway and across a sign. There were also several symbols drawn on the back wall of the building.
A holocaust survivor who saw the graffiti says it was almost too much to take. There was no official response available from the congregation Saturday, although several people who called 9NEWS to report the damage said that they blamed Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ” for rekindling anti-Semitism.
Members of the congregation will gather Sunday morning to start cleaning off the graffiti.
and MY PROOF IS: I raised 3 children, they are wonderful members of society (2 in Europe, 1 in USA)
First of all for you to insinuate that parents who feel that their child is mature enough to view this film aren't providing parental love, care and preparing and strengthening them for life is totally absurd. The fact that you raised three children who are wonderful membersf society is commendable but, offers NO PROOF whatsoever that children who see "The Passion" will turn out otherwise. Show me some examples of children who have seen this movie needing psychological care or acting out in violence against others. Once you do then we can talk. Otherwise I will just pass your post off as sheer prejudicial and judgemental ignorance from someone who hasn't even seen the film themselves.
What I said in that post was a repeat of his "Happy Holiday" because it is Purim, and also L'Chaim, which means "To Life" and is said like "cheers" when drinking alcohol, which is required on Purim night (except for those who can't drink).
Bleib gesund.
I know nothing about Denver. But my guess is "No, but..."
In some parts of Eastern Europe, the Jews had been used to second class treatment for a long time before WWII. However, in Germany, antisemitism was more subtle. My family was very entrenched in GERMAN life, as were most German Jews. They were not religious, they did not dress differently, they were very involved in commerce and civics and charities.
They were living hardworking, privileged lives for generations in Germany. They truly did not believe that what eventually happened COULD happen there. To THEM.
A Holocaust survivor and his offspring know more than the average Joe that all the things you have can be taken from you in one second. It is possible. So while Jewish Americans trust this wonderful place of freedom, and would die trying to protect it, we know that persecution is always a possibility. I do not think any Jew here feels that there will ever be institutionalized antisemitism here. But that Holocaust survivor in Denver, thinking back, had reason to shudder, don't you think?
I as an American Jew in fact feel that there is much culturally institutionalized anti-Christianity here, especially in the media and Hollywood, and I try to fight it where I can.
I feel that in Hollywood, shots against Christianity are all too prevalent. The slurs would NEVER stand if they were against Judaism these days, but against what Christians believe, it's "cool." We need to keep calling them on it.
Unfortunately, the callers from the synagogue tried to prove it. Which, without any evidence, is bullcrap and casts serious doubts as to the nature of the incident.
But the vandilism is not a joke. And you don't care much about it as long as a Christian did not do it.
We've seen too many false hate crimes lately. Coupled with the fact that members of the congregation were quick to blame the movie when no evidence connecting the graffiti to the movie apparently exists, the whole story sets off cautions.
A novel method of reporting a crime.
"Hello, 9NEWS? Abe Foxman here. I need a camara crew at the the Synagogue an 75th Street. It was vandalized with anti-Semitic grafitti as a result of Mel Gibson's "Passion. I've have predicting such a thing would happen for month after month and here it is!
So,um, ....Excuse me a minute, please....."
"Hey, Harry, I said I wanted a BIG swastika on that wall? You call that BIG? Sheeesh!"
"So, where was I? Oh, yeah. I need a 9NEWS cameran crew here and I need you to arrange a feed to your parent network in New York and, for camera angles, I prefer my left side and......"
Oh stop. Blame Hollywood? That's a stretch. This movie was made possible because we are already used to so much violence it takes ever increasing amounts to make a point. Movies like the King of Kings with crucifixion scences were not that violent because Christians back then would have popped an artery at the violence and so would the rest of society. We are all used to more violence. As another poster pointed out what's next a virtual reality crucifixion where you actually see Christs blood on your hands? Would that be even BETTER??
Because we've seen similar incidents staged before by people who either wanted to portray themselves as victims of of a "hate" crime or who wanted to make their opponent look bad. And considering all the intense criticism of the movie, this one seems to me just all too convenient. So, consider me skeptical.
That's very sensitive of you and that's good. Me, I don't want to go to a crucifixion movie and cry. What is written about it in the bible and depicted in some good paintings is enough for me and has generally been enough most Christians for a couple of thousand years.
Sure, but some comfort should be taken in the knowledge that the person now lives in a country whose citizens will risk their very lives (as members of my family have done) for their religious freedom.
I, like most conservatives, have an aversion to those who overplay their victimization. I see nothing but tragedy on this thread stemming from the comments made by Abe Foxman. Even a dispassionate observer can see that the blowback among conservative Christians has been severe.
This schism between Jews and Christians only empowers the common enemy we both fight.
' Okay. But on the other hand this begs the question as to whether or not the Lord should have anointed Mel to make this movie around the year 350 AD so that every Christian would get the point so much better than the bible could make it. Is the bible enough or not? And in additon where in the bible does it say one must be swept up in a tide of emotion about the Crucifixion in order to be a better Christain. The bible say to repent of your sins, and believe in the gospel. There are no instructions that you must have certain types of emotions. Emotions are good but fleeting. It is what you make up your mind to do that endures. But still I do not discount that the movie was a thing for you.
These things don't happen, if they do, it's Jews looking for sympathy doing it. The lockers at the local high school decorated with swastikas the morning after the opening I mentioned to you, the Jewish kids did it, I'm sure.
Holocaust survivors? Both my parents were WWII vets and they've been gone for decades. There are no holocaust survivors, other than the one's the Synagogues keep in the basement. No WWII vets surviving either. Presuming it happened, of course. If it didn't, then there are no Holocaust survivors, but the WWII vets get to come back to life.
They think so. And guess what, the schism exists only between the few who were schismized before the film. It gives them an excuse to come out of the closet, that's all.
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