Re: [TruthTalk] Judaism and Theology

[Bill Taylor]

Judy wrote  >  This is one disjointed stream of "consciousness"  Please explain to me what "beatle mania" and/or an unbelieving Jewish Rabbi at a Religious tolerance meeting have to do with "living in the moment?"   I did, Judy: that was the purpose of my response. You refused to accept it.   I was at that "meeting" as a representative for the Colorado Association of School Boards. I served on the CASB board of directors for seven years, right in the heat of the Outcomes-Based-Education movement. This meeting was sponsored by the University of Denver in an attempt to moderate the rhetoric between religious conservatives on one side and liberal activists on the other (you will notice that the panel was weighted heavily in favor of the "progressives"). I would not have driven 170 miles to take in the event, had it not been to perform my duties as a director. But you didn't know that, did you?   I bring this up to point out the way in which our unguarded biases present themselves in the "rhetoric" of our language. Why, for instance, did you choose to include the phrase "at a Religious tolerance meeting" in your statement? The substance of your question is this: "Please explain to me what 'beatle mania' and/or an unbelieving Jewish Rabbi have to do with 'living in the moment'?" Absent the rhetorical thrust of your prepositional phrase, your question is quite benign. In fact, it has a ring of credibility to it: in other words, you may be saying that you realize I attempted to address this already, but you have missed my point and are now seeking clarification. Ah but add the rhetoric and your unguarded bias bursts forth: You are not seeking clarification at all; instead you are questioning our veracity to even address the issue, let alone speak authoritatively to it.   Perhaps, Judy, this was not your intent. If you will tell me it was not, I will take your word for it. BUT if it was not your intent, then you would do well to consider what I have just denoted. You will certainly benefit in terms of the way you are received if you can learn to tone down the rhetoric.   Sincerely,   Bill  ----- Original Message ----- From: Judy Taylor To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Cc: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 7:24 AM Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Judaism and Theology       Trusting God along with living in the moment is basically obeying Jesus who pointed out that "without Him we can do nothing" anyway and who said that we are unable to turn one hair white or black (now remember we are talking about reality rather than to conceal and cover up).  It's pride and unbelief to plan even a year ahead according to James who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   I don't agree that Judaism's concern with living in the now is what is sad. It is their bitterness and unbelief.  judyt     On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:17:55 -0700 "Bill Taylor" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: I was at a panel discussion one time about fifteen years ago. The topic was religious tolerance and the panel was made up of an evangelical Christian, a liberal Christian, a Catholic priest, and a Jewish Rabbi. At one point during the discussion a very well-meaning and elderly Christian woman stood up and told the rabbi that she would be praying for his eternal salvation. His response to her was something on the order of, "Please do not pray for me my eternal destiny; I know you mean well, but pray, instead, for me now. I can tell you what will happen after I die: Nothing. What I need is prayers for the here and now."   Wow, that really floored me! I realized with that statement that I was looking at a man who held out no hope for the future. In his mind there is no salvation apart from the (first) coming of Messiah, or the restoration of the Temple, or something, and none of these are present realities; hence when he's dies, that's all there is; it is over; he will just cease to exist.   While I do not buy the idea that the Jews are theological disinterested (after all the above was this man's theology), I do think they are much more oriented to the present than we are, and not nearly so inclined to forward thinking. The comment, "Judaism is concerned primarily with living now," is therefore a sad commentary -- and, I believe, more sadly true.  Bill      From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] the notion below sounds like the essence of beatle-mania*, the perfect way to deal with the reality of a two year old whose mind set, apparently, corresponds precisely to the mind set of Judaism    *related to the concept 'focus and center life on philosophy rather than theology'   On Sun, 20 Feb 2005 06:30:23 -0500 "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Judaism is concerned primarily with living now.