Jewish and Christian leaders launch countermissionary campaign [Fighting "Jews for Jesus" people]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug. 27, 2003

[yonif]

B'nai Brith Canada today announced the launch of a campaign to inform members of Toronto's Jewish community about the activities of "Jews for Jesus."

Calling it the "Proud to be Jewish" Campaign," B'nai Brith's goal is to warn members of the Toronto Jewish community about the presence and methods of the missionary group and to advise them of their rights.

"This isn't about free speech," said Rochelle Wilner, president of B'nai Brith Canada. "Targeted missionizing, especially when done in a manner calculated to deceive the unsuspecting, is offensive to our community. Christianity is not a branch of Judaism it's a different religion altogether, and any attempt to portray it as anything but a different religion is subterfuge. "The term 'Jews for Jesus' makes about as much sense as 'Baptists for Buddha' or 'Catholics for Krishna,'" she said.

"We didn't want this to be just another lesson in how to answer," said Frank Dimant, executive vice president.

"Some in our community are simply not capable of countering missionaries because they have received little formal Jewish education.

"We want members of our community to know that they don't have to defend Judaism to Christian missionaries they have an absolute right to not be subjected to these ministrations in the first place."

Dr. Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College and a leader in Canada's evangelical Christian community, spoke as well. "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.

"We unequivocally denounce any and all deceptive tactics."

[ArGee]

B'nai Brith Canada today announced the launch of a campaign to inform members of Toronto's Jewish community about the activities of "Jews for Jesus."

Just so long as they don't try to warn people about the outright fantasy that is The Da Vinci Code. Talking about that will get you in trouble.

Calling it the "Proud to be Jewish" Campaign," B'nai Brith's goal is to warn members of the Toronto Jewish community about the presence and methods of the missionary group and to advise them of their rights.

How about the Hari Krishnas, the Mormons, and the Jehovah's Witnesses (although I haven't seen an HK in a LONG time)?

"This isn't about free speech," said Rochelle Wilner, president of B'nai Brith Canada. "Targeted missionizing, especially when done in a manner calculated to deceive the unsuspecting, is offensive to our community. Christianity is not a branch of Judaism it's a different religion altogether, and any attempt to portray it as anything but a different religion is subterfuge. "The term 'Jews for Jesus' makes about as much sense as 'Baptists for Buddha' or 'Catholics for Krishna,'" she said.

What is "targeted missionizing" and how is it different from "untargeted missionizing." That looks like an issue in search of a reason. As far as Christianity being a different religion - it did not start out as such and you won't find it portrayed as such in the Bible. However, "Jewish" is both a religion and an ethnicity. There are Jewish Christians, Jewish Atheists, Jewish Jews of various sects - just what is the problem here?

"We didn't want this to be just another lesson in how to answer," said Frank Dimant, executive vice president.

"Some in our community are simply not capable of countering missionaries because they have received little formal Jewish education.

And this is the fault of JfJ how, exactly?

"We want members of our community to know that they don't have to defend Judaism to Christian missionaries they have an absolute right to not be subjected to these ministrations in the first place."

Of course they do. They also have an absolute right to accept your statement of what is true without critical examination or without question. But is that a right they should want to exercise? A famous Jewish person once said, "Be ready to give an answer for your faith." (paraphrase)

Dr. Charles McVety, president of Canada Christian College and a leader in Canada's evangelical Christian community, spoke as well. "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.

One would hope that Dr. McVety has actually looked into JfJ, perhaps even attending one of their evangelistic events?

"We unequivocally denounce any and all deceptive tactics."

Thank you, Captain Obvious! I would think that if JfJ wanted to be deceptive they would call themselves "Truly Orthodox Jews" and leave Jesus' name out of it.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

If you knew how much people calling themselves "christians" and carrying crosses beat the crap out of Jews over and over again for centuries, you'd not take this attitude.

The Crusades killed some thousands of people, many Jews.

Communism killed some hundreds of millions of people, many Jews.

JfJ is villified, but kids are wearing Communist Chic (according to Jeff Jacoby's latest article).

It's not about the Crusades. Those are ancient history and would be forgotten. The hatred between Jews and Christians is much older and goes much deeper.

Shalom.