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okay..let me try and explain my reasoning...

Israel is Judaism's religious capital. I don't think that there is any dispute about that.

I totally and completely agree with you that I, as a Jew, am an American. BTW, I emigrated to the US in 1982 from a Commonwealth country, and I am proud to call myself an American.

The Vatican, by ignoring or relegating terrorism in Israel is a slap in the face to me as a Jew, not as an American. It is Jews (and in some instances Israeli Arabs) that are dying in these terrorist attacks. Therefore, I as ta Jew, take very great offense at the Vatican's relegation of terrorism in Israel that somehow doesn't rise to the level of terrorism in, say, Bali or Brirain.

Furthermore, I don't believe that Israel speaks for all Jews at all. Never said that I did. However, since the people dying are predominantly Jews, I see it as a Jewish issue, just as I see the Holocaust as a Jewish issue.

Lastly, based on polls and interviews done in Moslem countries around the world, it appears to me that Iran DOES speak for all Moslems. The Moslem world is hostile to the non-Muslim world. That much I think is obvious. Iran sees us as the great Satan. The Moslem world agrees with that.

Your last paragraph, isn't accurate either. Do I, as a Jew, have loyalty to the State of Israel, of course I do. There are many Christians in FR that feel exactly the same way. I have a loyalty to Israel as my religious capital and as a staunch ally of the US. Many Christians have a loyalty to Israel for very similar reasons. Religiously, they support the State of Israel and also as one of our staunchest allies.

Lastly, religion tends to guide our thoughts and actions. It impacts our lives daily. it strikes me that anyone regardless of religion, will govern their lives, to a great extent, based on their religious principles. How can you be true to yourself and your religion if you do not? Example...abortion is roundly rejected by the Catholic Church. Yet, Catholics such as Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, support abortion on demand. And many people, myself included find that to be a contradictory position.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I wanted to clarify this for you. Appreciate the dialog.

Best wishes...

So is the killing of American soldiers in Iraq - mainly Christians - an issue the Pope or the Protestant churches should deal with? Is it an religious issue? No, it´s political.

The Vatican has often condemned attacks on Israel, but it remarks, that some Israeli responses have been inappropriate. This definitely is not a Jewish conflict, but an Israeli one. Wouldn´t you agree, since it´s not about the attacks but Israeli responses?

The Muslims I know would never want Iran to speak for them. They´re integrated and feel like citizens first and Muslims second.

I didn´t deny that you have a loyalty to Israel as an ally. But I wouldn´t want you to be rather loyal to Israel than to the United States. And I wouldn´t want American Catholics to do what the Pope orders when it doesn´t serve American interests.

Religion, from my understanding, is something personal and should not directly affect politics. A religious person is well advised to act in consistance with his religion, but it´s not a must. I mean, it´s ok when you as a Jew don´t stand 100% behind what your religion wants you. A party member doesn´t need to support 100% what his party wants. It´s on your own - and on your religion, party, association, club, etc where to draw the line.

I believe that secularism has prevented many more deads in the judeo-christian world. And it´s something the Muslims should promote. When they allow Christian churches in their countries, when they stop preaching hate against infidelis, when they start to separate church and state and respect other religions, then one of the worst dangers will go down.

Israel is Judaism's religious capital. I don't think that there is any dispute about that.

I think Jerusalem is Judaism's religious capital. And without a temple, the Diaspora is still in effect. Possessing the land is not enough under the Old Covenant of the Mosaic texts. You must have the temple and appropriately observed religious practice in it.

Whether Israel comprises an area of 1 spare mile or a million square miles, it is the Temple of Jerusalem that counts.

I think you can make the case that the Temple is far more important to Judaism than the Vatican is to Catholicism. After all, the Vatican was relocated for a period to France hundreds of years back. No one ever suggested that it's religious authority was destroyed by geography. The same is not true of Judaism. You have to have a Temple and it must be on the original location.

If you think I'm wrong about the importance of the Temple, please explain why. I thought it was the ambition of all orthodox Jewish leadership since 70CE to rebuild the temple. You know, all that "Next year in Jerusalem" stuff. I'm not saying Judaism doesn't exist without a Temple but its centrality to Jewish history, scripture, tradition and aspirations can hardly be overstated.

The Vatican, by ignoring or relegating terrorism in Israel is a slap in the face to me as a Jew, not as an American. It is Jews (and in some instances Israeli Arabs) that are dying in these terrorist attacks. Therefore, I as ta Jew, take very great offense at the Vatican's relegation of terrorism in Israel that somehow doesn't rise to the level of terrorism in, say, Bali or Brirain.

Okay, this is what drew my interest most.

So why don't we apply the same standard to Israel that Israel wants to apply to the Vatican? Sounds fair enough.

In the future, for every single gang rape or murder of Christians in Muslim lands, I want an immediate denunciation of such violence (in Iraq, Indonesia, Phillipines, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.). And if it is not forthcoming, I am well within my rights to accuse Israel of 'ignoring or relegating terrorism' against Christians to irrelevance, thereby offering me and all other Christians an insult that is a premeditated 'slap in the face'. And 'therefore, I as a' Christian will be justified to 'take very great offense at' Israel's 'relegation of terrorism in' Christendom 'that somehow doesn't rise to the level of terrorism in, say,' Israel or Palestine.

Fair enough? Should we all then adopt this as a fair standard for all parties in denouncing terrorism?

Naturally, if you agree, I will expect immediate official apologies from all the major Jewish organizations who have given their silent approval to all these acts of Muslim terror and murder committed against Christians directly within their own region, often perpetrated by the same groups who commit terrorism against Israel.

BTW, I am not RC and clash quite often with them about papal authority and doctrinal matters. It is pretty rare I say anything to defend Rome. Quite the opposite, in fact, as you could readily see by my most recent dialog with some of them on the issue of pedophile priests and the role played by the pope and the Vatican. And I am generally a strong suporter of Israel in most security matters, typically posting this kind of remark. My support includes first use of Israeli nukes against Iran if they continue nuke development.