The “problem” is (well it’s not really a “problem” but to those who do not wish to be evangelized it might be perceived as such) Christians can’t “leave Jews alone” (or really anyone alone). This is because evangelization is (supposed) to be an act of love, sharing what was discovered, or really Who was encountered (Jesus Christ) with his (the Christian’s) fellow man. To ask “just leave us alone” is akin to asking someone to not say anything if they just discover nuclear fusion, or life on another planet, or, well really that God Himself is alive and with us now in this age, in a real, tangible way.
That’s how it’s supposed to be. Now of course there are many, including Nazi’s of course, who call themselves Christian and are nothing of the sort. And they are a scandal. Not much that can be done about that though, free will and all that.
This is because evangelization is (supposed) to be an act of love, sharing what was discovered, or really Who was encountered (Jesus Christ) with his (the Christianâs) fellow man. To ask âjust leave us aloneâ is akin to asking someone to not say anything if they just discover nuclear fusion, or life on another planet, or, well really that God Himself is alive and with us now in this age, in a real, tangible way.
OK, I really do understand that. I also understand that for each person who suddenly "gets it" (from the theological POV), there is great excitement to spread "the good news" - it is their first time, and they aren't really giving it a long-term examination. But we Jews have been through this before, all too many times. This "act of love" in the aftermath of so much misery and suffering inflicted upon us for not being willing to accept the "gift" is not, to us, an act of love. At best, we feel like the lady who keeps getting flowers and candies from a guy who wants to be our boyfriend, but whom we've rebuffed many, many times before because he's not just our type. Oh, and for quite a while the flowers and candies were poisonous, and accompanied by nasty notes, and the guy was stalking us even when we moved to another town. Now he's being nicer - a lot nicer - but he's still not our type, and we're certainly aware of the earlier bad behavior.
To get a better insight, you might want to read "The Anguish of the Jews" by Edward Flannery, a Roman Catholic priest. It was written in 1965, but there is a 2004 updated version if you want to read that. Here is part of what one of the reviewers said:
"At the outset, the author claims that the vast majority of even well educated Christians have been relatively ignorant of what has happened to the Jews throughout history and the culpable involvement of many facets of the Church. Apart from a few recent publications, little having been included about anti-Semitism in Christian history books or social studies.
The author states that, by comparison, the Jews themselves are largely & acutely aware of their painful history in such matters."
Again, thanks for your kind words and thoughts - I wish that many more were like you in that regard. FRegards.