[Varda]

I agree with the observation that the prospect of fading away can be threatening to any group seeking autonomy in a society not predisposed to it. That's why I first suspected hyperbole in the sweeping accusations that Passion plays lead to murder.

That quote is quite interesting and certainly the opposite conclusion of those who seek race purity. It sent me off to google search Benjamin Butler. I love learning something new, Thanks!

[Held_to_Ransom]

I agree with the observation that the prospect of fading away can be threatening to any group seeking autonomy in a society not predisposed to it.

One has to wonder what the impact of that instinctual response is for the Isreali's. Not that they are worried about fading away into the Arabic world, but how it plays on their thinking in terms of the way the rest of Judaism is reacting to what is going on in Isreal. Perhaps it is the root of a need to exsaggerate the danger Israel is in by actually increasing that danger by constantly provoking the Arabs.