It is my opinion that true antisemitism exists to some extent everywhere and probably more so in Europe than in the US. On this I agree with Zionist Conspirator. However, alongside with the reasonable abhorrence of antisemitism that we all share, there is a uniquely leftist project that seeks to utilize the feelings against antisemitism in order to condemn religious conviction of any kind. The goal of that leftwing project is to marginalize and slander anyone of strong faith. So, a survey about normal and salutary national and religious self-preference of the youth of one nation, herself quite longsuffering, is slanderously proclaimed antisemitic. Similarly an honest and objective presentation of the Christian normative view on the Jewish religion would probably be termed antisemitic on any “mainstream” venue. That is a shame. The purpose of the Free Republic is to see through such stratagems of the left and defeat them; not providing them an echoing chamber.
I also oppose the use of the "antisemitism" label to attack people of genuine religious belief. How you managed to read that into this article is beyond me. I posted it because Jews today should certainly prefer to live in the Holy Land rather than in Europe.
Secondly, indeed there is a view among some Christians that Christianity is but extension of Judaism. This is especially strong among Fundamentalist Protestants. This view is not shared by normative Catholicism nor Orthodoxy, nor oder-vintage Protestantism. On this, despite very different vantage points, Zionist Conspirator and I would agree also: that American Jews might be left with a false impression that American Christians taken as a whole subscribe to some kind of Judaism Lite. Often it can be seen in Jewish attitudes toward Catholics subdivided, in heir mind between modern Vatican II Catholics and traditionalist medieval antisemitic Catholics. The reality is that only a very small percentage of American Protestants and virtually no informed Catholic, no matter how philosemitic they are, would hold the view that Jews do not need to convert to Christianity. Much heartache would be spared by Jews and Christians alike if they had come to terms with this fact: Christianity, with all its internal divisions, seeks to convert the entire world, including the Jews, to the Blessed Name of Jesus our Savior and Lord. We are two religions that should not merge nor can we merge, for we are in a very fundamental sense based on the denial of the other.
I also do not advocate any kind of Judaeo-chrstian syncretism. In fact, I'm 100% against it and have always maintained chrstians so drawn to Judaism and Jewish customs should forswear chrstianity altogether for Noachism.
You still fail to deal with the issue that the "miracles" of J*sus being 100% historically real still does not serve as a sufficient foundation for a religion that claims to be the "fulfillment" of Judaism. If it is not authorized by the Torah, this particular claim is disproved, and this discredits the entire religion. And continual repetition of chrstian claims, again, proves absolutely nothing except chrstian assumptions.
It is for that reason upsetting that the slander of antisemitism, a movement typically secular and as sinful as any racism, — is once and again attached to Christians who take their faith seriously. Much greater danger to our society is secular indifferentism propagandized by the left, in significant part through “antisemitism” slander.
I simply don't know why you have chosen to be offended by this article. Where do you get the idea that it is a leftist hatchet job? Is this another assumption?
I know; this is why I was surprised seeing you posting this.
I simply don't know why you have chosen to be offended by this article. Where do you get the idea that it is a leftist hatchet job? Is this another assumption?
Not an assumption. The article begins: Anti-Semitism is high among teenagers in the Polish capital, according to an opinion survey
You write in the trailer: If [Christianity] really is "the one true religion," then why was it universally anti-Jewish
As I explained in my first substantive post on this thread directed to you,
Antisemitism is a sin; they better not be. Slandering people of sin they did not commit as a sin also.
Is it clearer now? Do you understand the difference between substantive accusation and slander?
You still fail to deal with the issue that the "miracles" of [Jesus] being 100% historically real still does not serve as a sufficient foundation for a religion that claims to be the "fulfillment" of Judaism.
I believe I have dealt with it:
Jesus did rise from the dead, despite those who believed in the Torah "not providing" for Him succeeding in killing Him. So therefore, if one accepts the fact of His resurrection, -- which is a matter not of blind faith but examination of historical evidence, -- then he knows that either the Torah is false or those reading the Torah so devotedly do not understand it.
The myth here is understanding of "fulfillment" in terms of non-contradiction and continuation. This is not how normative Christianity understands its relation to Judaism, except maybe Pastor Hagee and a few other Christian judaizers. Here is a passage that reflects the Christian view on Judaism:
[16] Then Paul rising up, and with his hand bespeaking silence, said: Ye men of Israel, and you that fear God, give ear. [17] The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers...[...]
[26] Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you the word of this salvation is sent. [27] For they that inhabited Jerusalem, and the rulers thereof, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath, judging him have fulfilled them. [28] And finding no cause of death in him, they desired of Pilate, that they might kill him. [29] And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a sepulchre. [30] But God raised him up from the dead the third day: [31] Who was seen for many days, by them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who to this present are his witnesses to the people.
[...]
[37] But he whom God hath raised from the dead, saw no corruption. [38] Be it known therefore to you, men, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is preached to you: and from all the things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. [39] In him every one that believeth, is justified. [40] Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
[41] Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you will not believe, if any man shall tell it you. [42] And as they went out, they desired them, that on the next sabbath, they would speak unto them these words. [43] And when the synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews, and of the strangers who served God, followed Paul and Barnabas: who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. [44] But the next sabbath day, the whole city almost came together, to hear the word of God. [45] And the Jews seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy, and contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming.
[46] Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. [47] For so the Lord hath commanded us: I have set thee to be the light of the Gentiles; that thou mayest be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth. [48] And the Gentiles hearing it, were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting, believed. [49] And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country.
(Acts 13; read entire chapter here: www.drbo.org)
As you can see, the fulfillment of Judaism is seen not as literal adherence to the letter of the Torah (the Church easily rejected much of it shortly after Paul gave his sermon), but as material abandonment of God by children of Abraham, and rise of Israel Spiritual which is the Church;
Observe, too, that Christianity is not anti-Jewish, as you claimed, according to its fundamental Holy Books, except in the sense that it certainly preaches to the Jews who persist rejecting True Religion and True God. But one does not preach to whom one does not love. That whole "anti-Jewish" baloney is a bigoted intentionally obtuse slander from beginning to end.