Posted on 12/23/2005 5:44:48 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
December 23, 2005 - 08:40
What the Today show probably intended as a warm-'n-fuzzy holiday segment just veered wildly off course when a rabbi spoke some unvarnished truth.
The topic was "December Dilemma: Interfaith Holdidays," and dealt with the issue of celebrating the holidays in families with children where the parents are of different religions.
Footage was played of a family with a Jewish wife, a Christian husband and a couple of very cute daughters. They were predictably shown admiring both a menorah and a Christmas tree.
Back in the studio, David Gregory interviewed "The God Squad," Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman, who for years have made joint appearances to discuss religious matters.
When Gregory asked the rabbi if there was anything wrong with bringing the children of mixed marriages up in some kind of combo religion, I had the feeling he was anticipating [as was I], a PC response. Instead, he got a shot of candor right between the eyes:
"[Kids] have to know how to answer when asked [as to their religion] 'what are you?' If they answer 'both,' that's answering that Jesus is and isn't the Messiah, that Christmas is and isn't the birth of the Savior. That's insane. That's crazy. And it shouldn't be put on a child to have to make those kinds of decisions."
Bravo, Rabbi!
No kidding. Here's what the un-PC Christ actually has to say about this:
Matthew 10:34-35 : "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword."
"For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And man's foes will be those of his own household."
All the other "limitations" of Christianity that you point out may actually be the limitations of people who call themselves Christians but really aren't.
No true Christian would ever say anything offensive about Jewish people, but Christians are decidedly different than people who are "Church going". Going to Church is a cultural distinction. Being a Christian is a spiritual distinction. I hope you'll take the time to really understand the difference and actually hear the Message for what it is, not for what some "Church going" idiots tell you it is.
I'm with you. I have friends he's Jewish she's Christian and they decided to raise them Jewish till 10 then introduce Christianity. But when visiting our house one day their 7 year old daughter ran terrified and screaming when she saw a crucifix over my kids doors and they innocently told her what it was. They had to quickly reconsider their plans.
All I can say is I am sorry for your experiances. I have never felt that way - I see more good than bad.
Unless you plan on being the next Stalin, you cannot control what other people do or don't do in the name of God. You can only control what YOU do.
Religion WILL seperate people, but only when the focus of the religion is different. The vast majority of Christians get along just fine except when the focus of the church wanders into political correctness rather than the Word.
C'mon-- Mankind in the name of other men's wives, other men's money, other men's property, other men's politics, other men's languages, etc, has gone to war with very little provocation.
Stop being so moralistic and biased against religion because your parents forced you to go to Sunday school. It's a lot more fun to stop complaining about "bad Christians" and start allowing Christ to work miracles in your life....
No freaking kidding!!!!!!!!!!!! I have friends who are Jewish and their reaction to a crucifix is like Superman to cryptonite. I really don't get it. However, I think I actually do.
I think that many of the Jewish "leaders" fill the young ones with such distrust and such paranoia for these things that it actually develops into a nuerosis that can not be explaned but for any other reason. And when you question one about this, you get the most bizarre and illogical answers and responses.
Its divide and conquer, no different than any other political leader.
"Unless you plan on being the next Stalin, you cannot control what other people do or don't do in the name of God."
What the F$%^ do think the whole WOT is about??????????
Serious, are you that blind???? In the name of God, many many people are trying to destroy us. Should we not try to control their actions as you say?????
If you believe Jesus is the messiah, you are a Christian. Why don't you just say that proudly? Just as people can convert out of Judaism, they can convert into it. It's not a racial thing, so what you were born is irrelevant. I know it's probably hard on your family. Maybe this is the root of your reluctance to say out loud that you are a Christian. Celebrating Hanukah and Passover do not make you Jewish. Your beliefs make you Jewish. Jews do not believe Jesus was the savior. You are a Christian. Stand up and be proud about it!
Me either. Ever.
I just think that in most cases it has lost its relevance from the intended meaning.
Many Catholics have no clue that nowhere in the Bible does Jesus call for a Holy Roman Catholic Church with Saints and rituals entirely of mans' creation. Where did all these rituals come from? Where did all these things come from?
They are mostly a creation of man. As such, is there not a chance that man can be wrong?????
You (singular, not plural) cannot control other people.
That's my point exactly. And that was a good passage. People can be very moral, very good towards their fellow man, very righteous, and act in an otherwise gracious way towards their fellow man, without being part of an organized religion.
Of course man can be wrong. We do our best and by God's grace we are forgiven.
There are many church's out there. If RC is not for you, why not pray and ask for guidance?
Sounds like you are desperate for God to enter your heart. Instead of ranting and chastising..... try opening up the Bible and your heart and start praying.
God can do marvelous things!
Are we not trying to control the actions of religious fanatics who are trying to kill us in the name of God - YES or NO?????????????????????????
There is place, somewhere between Heaven and Hell, let's call it limbo.
People that have never had the chance to hear about Christ and make a decision for, or against, him being the Saviour of our souls go there until the last judgement.
At the last judgement everyone, even those in Hell now, will be brought before the throne of G*D and they will make their choice.
Confess and repent of your sins, believe in Christ and aknowledge him as your saviour or do not pass go, do not collect heaven, go directly to hell.
Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan.
Its just a matter of opinion.
If the parents can't agree on which religion to teach it seems like a good compromise. I think Judaism and Christianity are NOT mutually exclusive but share a lot of teachings in common. Those items that conflict can be pointed out and discussed.
I'm interested as to why you think Judaism and Christianity are mutually exclusive, other than of course the obvious, i.e. the divinity of Jesus Christ.
To be honest with you, I find it far more refreshing and enlightening to read the Bible, and passages from it, without going to church and having people tell me what I aM reading. I know what I am reading, and don't need people to tell me if I eat meat on a Friday (as an example of course), that I have committed a sin.
We as people commit many more serious sins we should focus on rather than breaking man-made rules with no real substance.
To me, the person who screws others as a course of practice in business is far far worse than someone who misses mass but is an otherweise decent person.
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