Posted on 12/15/2011 5:39:09 AM PST by Kaslin
A story at The Jewish Week by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman provides a disgusting attack against Christianity and Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. As reported by All American Blogger, Rabbi Hammerman's article, "My Tim Tebow Problem," takes decided, pointed swings at Tebow's faith, and those who believe like he does:
People are always looking for signs of God’s beneficence, and a victory by the Orange Crush over the blue-clad Patriots, from the bluest of blue states, will give fodder to a Christian revivalism that has already turned the Republican presidential race into a pander-thon to social conservatives, rekindling memories of those cultural icons of the ‘80s, the Moral Majority and “Hee Haw."
There can be no mistake about Hammerman's position, which is to mock Christians, and engage in the type of stereotyping that, if done to Jews, would have Hammerman presumably up in arms. However, Hammerman goes even further in his assessment of Tebow and fellow Christians:
If Tebow wins the Super Bowl, against all odds, it will buoy his faithful, and emboldened faithful can do insane things, like burning mosques, bashing gays and indiscriminately banishing immigrants. While America has become more inclusive since Jerry Falwell’s first political forays, a Tebow triumph could set those efforts back considerably.
Like President Obama should have done with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, no person worth their salt should remain in Rabbi Hammerman's congregation in Stamford, CT. These aren't the words of a Rabbi (which means teacher,) these are the words of a bigoted, hateful person; the kind of person who should be shunned in civil society for being an outlandish fool.
Hammerman's usage of the leftist trademark of "moral equivalency" is as outrageous as it is ignorant (and it is always both!) As All American Blogger writes:
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman somehow believes the moral equivalency nonsense regarding Christians and Muslims. You see, if the Muslims will riot over a cartoon of Mohammed, then surely those football fueled fundies will go into a frenzy over one of their own beating all the odds and winning the Lombardi Trophy.
Jews in America, unfortunately, have traded their Judaism for Liberalism. It has been explored by Norman Podhoretz in his book Why are Jews Liberals?, and is a subject engaged by radio great Dennis Prager. I have long talked about this subject on my radio show, and have lamented that Jews feel the irrational need to please their long since deceased bubbie by continuing to walk in her leftist shoes. Add Rabbi Hammerman to this list.
Hammerman's commentary is consistent with a long line of anti-Christian sentiment in the United States. Tebow believes in Jesus, and I don't. It doesn't bother, or offend, or worry me. Yet, it captivates the media's attention that he is so open about it. But, really, it allows the press to continue the assault, with the onus then being on Tebow. Since he is so "open" about his religion, then we, the press and others, are allowed to "talk" about his religion. And by talk, we mean slander, attack and ridicule. When ABC can seriously contemplate a television show called "Good Christian Bitches," and a crucifix in urine is considered art, it's not stretching to recognize the assault on Christians in the US.
Hammerman, however, doesn't believe it (even though his own article is doing exactly that) and goes the extra step in an attempt to ensure that you don't believe it either. In a pivot to discussing the GOP candidates, Hammerman writes:
When supposedly well-educated candidates publicly question overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change and evolution and then gain electoral traction by fabricating conspiracies about a war on Christmas, these are not rational times.
Yes, there is no war on Christians, and the science on climate change is closed. Except the science on climate change has been outed as fabrication, and, as I have explained, there is, indeed, a war on Christianity; or, more to the point, a war on non- hard-core leftist progressives!
It goes without saying that what Rabbi Hammerman has written is not the opinion of all Jews. And, certainly, I feel no embarrassment (as a Jewish man) that Hammerman has exposed himself to be a fool, just like I feel no embarrassment (as a Jewish man) that Bernie Madoff was a criminal, unlike Rabbi Hammerman. But, unfortunately, far too many Jews in America view their Judaism not through a religious lens, but through a liberal lens; replacing their known Jewish values for liberal acceptance.
I'm not embarrassed I'm just disgusted. And, now, a Broncos fan.
**UPDATE**
The version of Rabbi Hammerman's article does not include the paragraph about Tebow winning the Super Bowl, and fears of 'mosque burning." However, it does remain on his blog, in full.
There are a number of responses in the "comments" section that refer to Hammerman's words about burning mosques and, "...bashing gays and indiscriminately banishing immigrants." Also in the comments is a response from Rabbi Hammerman, which again appears on his blog. In that response, Hammerman states that his getting the "expected outrage from the evangelical right." He then goes on to discuss why he has problems with Tebow:
As for Tebow, he has done extraordinary things. His love for people is unbounded. His entire life's work is also predicated on saving my soul for Jesus. He's not alone in this. Tebow has been affiliated with the Southern Baptists, who spend millions to convert Jews, often deceptively.
Then, he delivers what can only be described as a jab at Catholics, and members of the Priesthood:
I personally don't consider that exemplary behavior. Is it better than raping little boys? Absolutely. But is it admirable? I have issues with anyone determined to save my soul, be that person Christian or Jewish.
It should not take more than a nanosecond to recognize that a person conflating proselytizing with rape is an awful person. What could this comparison be for, if not to explicitly attack Christians - the near totality of whom don't accept the actions of rogue priests or the cover-ups of the Church, and whom are clear in their admonition of the same?
Hammerman summarizes his feelings on Tebow:
My ideal person of faith is a pluralist, one who accepts the legitimacy of my faith. Tebow does not. I do not find that admirable.
Rabbi Hammerman proves that his Judaism has been left in the closet, and his new coat is that of Liberalism. Only the liberal demands that everyone accept him for who he is, how he is and how he acts. Only the liberal demands that no attention be paid to his misgivings, either by his actions, his deeds, his attitude, his words or his demeanor. How true this is of Occupy Wall Street, where the mainstream media focused on the fake narrative of "income inequality," but failed to accept the violent behavior of the Occupiers, whether it be the deaths, rapes, sexual assaults, defecating on police cars, drug dealing or blockading of businesses and ports, keeping working people from getting to their jobs.
Liberals do not accept anyone that does not believe like they do. Hammerman is a liberal. I will let others decide if they find his thoughts, deeds, words or actions "admirable."
“I bet if he yelled “Allah Akbar” before throwing a touchdown pass he would be a media darling. These people make me sick.”
What if he yelled “God is Great.”?
The left are terrified that ‘wayward’ youths may choose to become more like Tim Tebow and these youth may then abandon the secular vision many so called liberal embrace.
The left are about power.Period.
They loathe Christianity but they really despise the ideals Christianity teaches.
What is increasing hatred is the response to one person doing, really, very little because of his faith. Tebow makes a few physical motions on the football field, quotes a few scriptures, and thanks God for his abilities and talents. He is not being a ‘good’ Christian because he takes some of his faith outside the church building. We’re not supposed to do that. He has the audacity to remember his Savior in public. If all believers had been doing that these past thirty years or so we would not be in the mess we are in today.
I second that!
One question, Is Tims God somehow different than yours? You sir are another of the devils deciples.
Hey Rabbi.....a little advice: get the f**k over yourself.
Just so. The reaction of Tebow's detractors says more about the detractors than it does about Tebow himself.
Have come to a conclusion regarding Rabbi Hammerman. The good Rabbi either hates and / or fears Christians. His ultimate plan is to be pitied for his hates and / or fears. Strange foundation for a Rabbi to stand on and to bash a Christian.
Or ... the Rabbi is seeking his fifteen minutes by bashing a person (Tim Tebow) who is not perfect, while the Rabbi claims perfection by claiming to be more perfect in his (the Rabbi's) knowledge of America, which is exactly what the Rabbi has done (made a claim to be more perfect in thoughts of America and Americans).
Thanks Kaslin for the thread. Hope the good Rabbi is willing to explain his hates and fears of a Christian ... though will doubt the Rabbi will explain. Belief (here) is the Rabbi's hates and fears underlie a complete lack of understanding and knowledge of America, Americans, and Christians.
Those Christians are nasty people, very dangerous, very intolerant, very moronic.
/Sarc/
I don’t remember the great Reggie White receiving such criticism about his Christianity.
And I liked Hee Haw, so there.
Homosexuality used to be “the love that dares not speak its name”. Now it’s “the love that won’t shut the heck up”.
Folks like this Rabbi want to force Christianity to be “the faith that dare not speak its name”. The Bible says it should never be a light hidden under a bushel basket.
I feel both pity and outrage at this deluded Rabbi’s intense hostility to christianity and christians.
Yeah, it's okay if you're black, because they figure you still vote Democrat. And that's what this is really about. You can be a Christian, as long as you're a liberal. This is about politics, not religion.
Referencing the Rabbi. . .
Evil is always threatened by good. Pay attention to who is doing the hating.
Jews do not fear gun and religion clinging conservatives of any kind. They fear the envious left which has set out to kill them off many times. Because they are greatly outnumbered they use the strategy of befriending the green eyed monster, so that they might be eaten last. The enemies of the beast become their claimed enemies, especially if there is no price to pay for doing so.
There are a lot of commercials for cars, beer, gilette razors, corn chips... a minute or two in praise of God from a man whose life came very close to being terminated?
I like it.
Love it!
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