Israel fears Jewish attack on ‘Hitler Youth’ Pope

The Times (UK) ^ | May 10, 2009 | Uzi Mahnaimi

[presidio9]

THE Pope will be given unprecedented security when he arrives in Israel tomorrow because of fears that his brief enrolment in the Hitler Youth as a boy of 14 could trigger an assassination attempt by Jewish zealots.

The Israeli government has ordered Shin Bet, the domestic security service, to take command of the visit. Four Audi armoured cars have been imported from Germany and security chiefs have banned the use of the familiar glass-sided “Popemobile” except for a short journey in Nazareth.

In Jordan yesterday, on the first stage of his middle eastern tour, the pontiff held a meeting with Muslim leaders to express “deep respect” for Islam. He offended Muslims in a speech in 2006 in which he quoted a Medieval scholar who linked Islam to violence.

In Israel Benedict XVI’s German nationality, his service in Hitler’s army, his support for the proposed beatification of Pius XII – known in Israel as the “Nazi pope” – and his decision to revoke the excommunication of Richard Williamson, the British bishop and Holocaust denier, have all sparked anger. The Pope was forced to apologise for mishandling the Williamson affair.

General Giora Eiland, the former head of Israel’s national security council, reflected the views of many Israelis. “It would have been better if the visit wasn’t taking place,” he said. “The Pope’s service in the Wehrmacht is a stain.”

The Vatican insists that Joseph Ratzinger joined the Hitler Youth only because it was compulsory and did not attend its meetings. He was drafted into an antiaircraft corps in 1943 and trained in the infantry, but deserted in the last months of the war.

“The fact that he was a member of the Hitler Youth and later served in the German army

[safisoft]

But those righteoous people are still not going into heaven because they're not descended from Abraham, as per what you believe? correct?

Judaism does not speak of "heaven" as the destination of the righteous, nor of "hell" as the destination of the wicked, which is why I noted the irony. It is "Jews" that are condemned to "hell" by the luminaries of Christian theology.

As for what Judaism believes regarding Gentiles, you can read it. It is found in Isaiah, particulary in Isaiah 2. Israel is a light to the nations - to draw them to the Almighty. Read Romans 11, and you can see it played out. You see, the "church" got it backwards: Jews don't become "Christians" - but rather, through faith, Gentiles are joined to the olive tree of Israel.

To answer to your question, "G-d is not willing that any should perish..."

[safisoft]

Most do not believe like you may do, that we cannot be saved because we are not descendents of Abraham.

You are projecting "Christian" theology onto Judaism. Jews don't speak of "being saved" in the way you do. And, Judaism sees the biblical plan for Gentiles. After all, one of Judaism's great sages said, "...Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body." Paul, Ephesians 3:6b

[Cronos]

You are projecting "Christian" theology onto Judaism

I guess I would be since I am Christian :)

Ok, let me rephrase that -- do you believe that when you die, you'll go to Heaven? What about a gentile Christian, a good one, one who has followed all of God's laws. Will that person also go to heaven?

[presidio9]

Hey ass: There is a difference between censoring free thought and denying bigots to post the same lies repeatedly. If you believe the current Pope is a Nazi sympathizer, you necessarily believe the the World 1 billion Catholics embrace that sentiment. Feel free to believe whatever you like, but when you post it on a public web forum you are challenging others to either refute it or condone it. Obviously refuting is not a problem, because it is a documented lie. The problem is that the lie gets repeated. The whole exercise has become a tiresome waste of time. And when the same handful of idiots keeps repeating the same refuted lies on thread after thread, it sure begins to look like they have an agenda.

In any case, Jim bans people he doesn't like from FR all the time. Are you accusing him of quashing free speech?

[safisoft]

Ok, let me rephrase that -- do you believe that when you die, you'll go to Heaven? What about a gentile Christian, a good one, one who has followed all of God's laws. Will that person also go to heaven?

Absolutely. In my commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians I point out however that some prominent sages of Judaism have not always said so, but even in the Second Century it was not unanimous. Notably Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, who said, "Gentiles have not part in the World to Come." However, in this issue he was in the minority.