Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: wideawake
When you say that you don't think Europe can become a Judeo-Christian society like the US, do you mean that (a) Europeans are too jaded to return to Christian belief or (b) that since Europeans decided to murder almost all their Jews, there is no longer a large enough Jewish population in Europe to exert the beneficial cultural influence that Jews have among US Christians?

Yes Europeans are jaded, but I cannot see a way for Europe to renew itself if the spread of atheism and agnosticism continues. I believe that one generation brought up with religion can become atheist and remain largely moral (not knowing or crediting the source of their moral sense) but not subsequent generations. Christianity is there for Europeans to return to when they choose.

As to the second question, it is not only that Jews in Europe are numerically insignificant today (with the exception of the UK and France), but they also are dwarfed everywhere by the number of adherents of Islam. The effort of integrating Europe's Moslems into society (probably by establishing some kind of Euro-Islam, with heavy government involvement) will be a project that will consume incredible effort and energy during the next decades, and a successful outcome is by no means assured.

In addition, I see a difference in how Christians in Europe and Christians in the U.S. feel about the Jewish religion. It seems to me that "replacement theology", the idea that Christianity has superseded and obsoleted Judaism, is more common in Europe than in the U.S.

Hence you hardly hear Europeans speak of "Judeo-Christian values", for example, but in the U.S. this is quite common.

61 posted on 11/20/2002 9:42:39 AM PST by tictoc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies ]


To: tictoc
I believe that one generation brought up with religion can become atheist and remain largely moral (not knowing or crediting the source of their moral sense) but not subsequent generations.

We have a great deal in common, TicToc! I too came to think this way. I said to my daughter a few times, "It's not entirely up to you whether to attend the Temple: you yourself have become a moral and kind person and, should you abandon religion, will problably remain the same person. But your children will go further, and you will not like where they will have gone."

I enjoyed reading your posts, TicToc.

63 posted on 11/20/2002 6:34:39 PM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies ]

To: tictoc
In addition, I see a difference in how Christians in Europe and Christians in the U.S. feel about the Jewish religion. It seems to me that "replacement theology", the idea that Christianity has superseded and obsoleted Judaism, is more common in Europe than in the U.S.

Hence you hardly hear Europeans speak of "Judeo-Christian values", for example, but in the U.S. this is quite common.

I believe that the term "Judeo-Christian" came into wide use after the war, when anti-Semitism became unpopular and, simultaneously, the Jewish community entered fully the mainstream of American life with the ensuing success in professions, art, science, etc.

It is my impression that for most people to say "Judeo-Christian" rather than "Cristian" is mere polightness and acknowledgement of these contributions, rather than a conclusion reached upon study and realization of the great commonality of Jewish and Christian values. I think so becasue I hear this expression evem from those people whom I cannnot suspect of leading an examined life.

In contrast, there is not need for such politeness in Europe, where Jews are almost absent and the few remaning try to be as inconspicuous as possible --- not professionally, but culturally.

64 posted on 11/20/2002 6:42:50 PM PST by TopQuark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson