[Congressman Billybob]

Concerning the fact that Jews today are "descendents of Jews then," some are, some are not. Besides, like most sensible peoople I do not believe in hereditary guilt. Children are not responsible for the sins of their parents.

This maxim applies in a number of areas -- theology, race relations, American Indians, the Irish.... Though come to think of it, the Irish tend to commit the same sins in each new generation, so the chain IS unbroken. (And don't get on my case for the Irish remark. I'm part Irish also.)

John / Billybob

[FreedomSurge]

Pharisaism became Talmudism, Talmudism became Medieval Rabbinism, and Medieval Rabbinism became Modern Rabbinism. But throughout these changes of name, inevitable adaptation of custom, and adjustment of Law, the spirit of the ancient Pharisee survives unaltered. When the Jew reads his prayers, he is reciting formulae prepared by pre-Maccabean scholars; when he dons the cloak prescribed for the Day of Atonement and Passover Eve, he is wearing the festival garment of ancient Jerusalem; when he studies the Talmud, he is actually repeating the arguments used in the Palestinian academies.

[FreedomSurge]

"Concerning the fact that Jews today are "descendent's of Jews then," some are, some are not."

Not really. After the annihilation of the Jews in 70 and 135AD and the resultant Diaspora only Pharaseeism survived. The Sadducee's did not survive, the Essenes did not survive, only the Pharisees survived by moving the Jewish center of worship from the temple to the synagogue.

All Judaism practiced today was first transmitted Rabbi to pupil, Rabbi to pupil in an unbroken chain from then to now. Most Christians do not understand that the Pharisees Christ railed against have direct linear descendants in the Rabbis and Jews of today.

That's why I cautioned you on the comparison of Al Qaeda to Pharisees.