--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 2/12/2004 6:18:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > Then there is the question of what it means to be anti-semetic. There > > is a teacher here localy who stated: > > > > "And what are they doing with the Palestinians every day? They're > > killing them. They're doing the same thing that was done to them.... > > It's exactly like what Hitler did to the Jews." > > > > Thsi guy is being investigated for anti-semtic remarks and will most > > likely lose his job. However, how exactly can this remark be called > > anti-semetic. Just becouse one group has been a victem in the past > > does not make everything they do afterwards acceptable. Simply > > disagreeing with, being appaled by, or having beliefeds contradictory > > to a persecuted group, does not mean that one is racist, > > or "religionist" or both. > > > > It is in fact a Jewish comunity and Jewish leaders who are calling > > for this investigation. This sounds like these leaders are saying > > that all non-jews must condone everything they do, or they are ant- > > semetic. How is this not in it'self raceist. > > > The statement is factualy untrue. The Nazis systematically murdered 8 million > jews just for being jews. They were german citizens and then later citizens > of other countries. They were not a threat; they had no arms. the elderly, the > women and the children were intentionally killed along with the men. > In Palestine the killings however regretable or ill-advised are the result of > retaliation for suicide bombings. The Israelis do not round up all > palestinians. They could just bomb the palestinians indiscriminantly but they do not. > > The comparison of israeli actions to Nazis is bound to inflict pain on jews. > It is meant to do so. It is hateful. Only someone who is callous to the past > and current plight of the jews could make such a claim. It is anti- semitic
Been gone for the weekend. First, you are correct, in what the Nazis did, I was never saying that this was not the case. What I am talking about is the 100 years or so leading up to that. I am not saying that the Nazis did not have an indoctrinated racist set of beliefs and did not slaughter Jews simply because they were Jews. However, I am saying that the day to day events and experiences of the average European of the 100 or so years leading up to that were such that we as humans should have seen it coming, and that we can look for similar patterns in the future to make sure it doesn't happen again. The fact is that there did exist an environment of animosity which allowed for such horrendous racism to occur. I understand your anger and your emotion concerning this topic. I understand that it may be hard for you to have grown up only looking at one side of the picture, and I also understand how distasteful it is for any of us to look at the other side. (once again I am talking about the average person not the Nazis). However, if we do not see this view as well, we, as a human species will have learned nothing. As far as being Callas to the historical plight of the Jews, I suggest to you that there is not a singular uniqueness in this plight. I suggest that other groups have endured much more. All I must do is look at the map on my wall which shows what peoples populated the Americas at one time, look to where my ancestors once lived, and see quite clearly, how there is now nearly none of that people left. Your ancestors may have suffered an attempt to wipe them out, but my very light colored skin attests to the fact that my ancestors very nearly were. As far as the current situation in the middle east, I ask you to consider what your Children, Grandchildren or Great Grandchildren would be doing if you were forcibly removed from your home and sent to a ghetto to live, -AND- they still lived in that very ghetto. Sure they have not been slaughtered indiscriminately, and they have not been forced into labor camps. But from their perspective they have had the same sort of forcible removal, and from their perspective, this has been done to assure a racially pure society. Further more, their available land has further been encroached on by settlements of that same racially pure people who forced them out to begin with. Of course this does not condone suicide bombings or terrorism, 2 wrongs never make a right!!! But how can there be peace in that land until all sides can understand the viewpoints of the other, without judging the viewpoint as invalid. The Palestinians, and many others see what Israel is doing as, while no where near as bad as what the Nazis did, they see it as a very similar policy. You can disagree with this, but you can not stand back, be objective, and not see how the connection can be made. You can't watch the news and see Palestinians throwing molitave cocktails at Israeli troops and not be reminded of that movie a while back where Jews were throwing the same apparatus at German Troops. The situation may be different, but from a 1000 year perspective, I am afraid they will look the same, no matter the distinct differences I am sure you can point out. I personally do not align with any belief system so I can discuss serious issues with all major religions. But as to the Jewish one from a Christian perspective, there is a serious issue that must be addressed at some point. If as many Jews believe, there will some day be a Messiah to lead them to emancipation and peace, they must necessarily not be or not feel that they are in a free and peaceful state, prior to the arrival of that Messiah. Otherwise what is that Messiah to free them from? It could not be a Spiritual release, because then why would it not have been Christ? From a Christian perspective (which I am not, and do not have) the Jews must find themselves continually persecuted, otherwise they would have to admit that they were wrong about Christ. Now as I said I can find just as many issues with the Christian faith as the Jewish or any other. But if Any group wants to understand the discomfort that another have with their religion or culture, and the way that world events are shaped, then they should look first to understand the reasoning of those they feel are against them. They should provide an understanding which allows for all sides to come together, if not in agreement, then at least in harmony. Sometimes this means being very vocal and public about the topic so that all will understand. Of course the other option is for everyone to give up religion and live in peace, but that is not likely to happen. BTW, is not beliving in the Jewish religion is anti-semetic? _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
