find a deprogramer who specializes in religious brainwashing asap. Americans do in fact believe in and support, the concept of "Community", --- yep .. some even promote socialism.
they believe in an "Authority" including a "Higher Authority"; --- only some Americans. secular America is growing and the religious are dwindling. and the concept of "Eternity" is not a foreign concept to American Christians or even American Agnostics! --- eternity is a religious myth to ignore. so are gods and religions. On Thursday, October 9, 2014 1:29:54 PM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: > > Plain Ol cut and pasted: > > *"Jewish life is based on values like authority, community, and eternity. > As a result, American Jews sometimes find their Jewish values at odds with > the values of the American society in which they live."* > > *"Americans pride themselves on being independent thinkers who recoil at > being told what to do or what to believe. How do we reconcile this with > Judaism's central principle of mitzvah--our obligation to live life in > service to God according to a defined set of practices?"* > > > Huh? This is "mumbo jumbo"! First, Americans do in fact believe in and > support, the concept of "Community", they believe in an "Authority" > including a "Higher Authority"; and the concept of "Eternity" is not a > foreign concept to American Christians or even American Agnostics! > > > Again Plain Ol', Mumbo Jumbo! > > > > > On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 2:22 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected] > <javascript:>> wrote: > >> Show me where Judaism is in any way in conflict with Western society and >> culture please.....If you can show me that, I will march right along with >> you! >> ---- >> Jewish life is based on values like authority, community, and eternity. >> As a result, American Jews sometimes find their Jewish values at odds with >> the values of the American society in which they live. >> >> Americans pride themselves on being independent thinkers who recoil at >> being told what to do or what to believe. How do we reconcile this with >> Judaism's central principle of *mitzvah*--our obligation to live life in >> service to God according to a defined set of practices? >> Commandedness >> >> The Hebrew word mitzvah means "command." There is an identical word in >> Yiddish (*mitzveh*) that means "good deed." Most people use these words >> interchangeably, but they are polar opposites. A good deed is done for >> another person out of kindness. A commandment is done to serve God out of >> obligation. The difference is that as Jews, we are obligated even when >> we're not feeling kindly or we think we've done enough. >> >> From a Jewish perspective, people who take the commandments upon >> themselves do not sacrifice their personal autonomy. According to the >> *Sayings >> of the Fathers* (6:2), "The only free person is one who is concerned >> with Torah." True autonomy comes when people can live free of the >> limitations of human nature by attaching themselves to a "Higher >> Authority." The Hebrew definition of mitzvah reflects this religious >> understanding, while the Yiddish one reflects a more secular view. >> Apparently, this debate has been going on long enough to enter the language. >> Reinterpretation >> >> The discrepancies between our American and Jewish values create a dilemma >> around which we have tiptoed. One of Judaism's greatest strengths has been >> its ability to adapt to its surroundings. In this spirit, we have created >> an "American Midrash" learning to live with certain contradictions. >> >> An example of American Midrash is our interpretation of Hanukkah and >> Passover as freedom holidays--reflecting American ideals. The Hanukkah >> story is actually about the internal Jewish struggle between >> assimilationists (Hellenists) and zealots (the Maccabees) who wanted to >> preserve Judaism from the influences of Greek society. But it fits better >> into our American context to see it as a battle for freedom of religion. >> >> Similarly, the point of the Passover story is not the physical freedom >> from slavery celebrated at the Red Sea and seder tables in America, but >> rather the events at Mount Sinai where the Israelites, freed from their >> Egyptian masters, were able to obey a new and more demanding master--God. >> >> An awareness of this contradiction is beginning to bubble to the >> surface. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, >> called for a Reform movement "grounded in autonomy and pluralism and also >> willing to talk of obligations." He called for observance that is "regular >> and consistent," and asserted that "our actions need not always begin with >> our own impulses." >> >> We live in a society where fulfilling our personal needs and desires is >> seen as our birthright. But as the late Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz >> wrote in his essay "Commandments," "Every action through which one >> satisfies his own needs, whether physical or spiritual, is a service to >> himself and not service to God." >> More Contradictions >> >> Another contradiction: Except in times of extreme crisis, it is unusual >> for the American "we" to supersede the self. In Judaism, even our prayers >> are written in the plural. Herbert Bronstein, writing in *Tikkun* >> magazine, says, "Since God's covenant is with the community of Israel, a >> communal consciousness... transcends the individual self." >> >> Finally, American society is goal-oriented in nature, while Judaism is >> not. One can never do mitzvot well enough to stop doing them or reach the >> pinnacle of holiness and rest. Think of Neilah, the concluding Yom Kippur >> prayer service-- the shofar sounds, all is forgiven, and yet, the very next >> words speak of atoning for sin. As Jews, we understand observance as our >> way of tapping into eternity--being part of something more enduring than >> ourselves. >> >> After 350 years, we continue to struggle with what it means to be Jewish >> in America. >> >> While we cannot fully resolve the contradictions between our American >> and Jewish values, we might try acknowledging that the hyphen in >> American-Jewish is not always an uncomplicated path between our two >> realities. >> >> >> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:03:26 PM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: >>> >>> Show me where Judaism is in any way in conflict with Western society and >>> culture please.....If you can show me that, I will march right along with >>> you! >>> >>> The problem, is that Judaism is not in conflict with Western Society! >>> You can find some examples of some Jew who has been accused of sexual >>> molestation, but nothing within Judaism itself approves of this. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 12:59 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> get a clue, zionist xian. >>>> When a culture such as zionism is at total odds with Western Culture, >>>> our values, and calls for the demise of yours, mine, and our children's >>>> way >>>> of life, then I take that threat seriously..... >>>> >>>> tell you what ... you eliminate the the muzzies in FL and I'll >>>> eliminate the zionist jews and muzzies in TN. Deal? >>>> >>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:50:47 AM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I don't promote hatred. I promote common sense. When a culture such >>>>> as Islam/Sharia is at total odds with Western Culture, our values, and >>>>> calls for the demise of yours, mine, and our children's way of life, then >>>>> I >>>>> take that threat seriously.....Obviously, while you sing another >>>>> rendition >>>>> of "Kum-Bay-Yah" or "We Are The World, We Are The Children"; and swap >>>>> sugar with one of your towel headed brethren, you are naive and blinded >>>>> by >>>>> the threat, much like your Peeps Whoopi, Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell, and >>>>> a >>>>> host of other confused ignorant goofy women! >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 12:25 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected] >>>>> > wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> one can only conclude that you are a hatemongering zionist xian >>>>>> promoting hatred and war against muslims in both the middle east and >>>>>> America. >>>>>> do your children know who your really are? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:18:52 AM UTC-5, plainolamerican wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The bigger development was the reaction >>>>>>> <http://newsok.com/article/5340759> of Oklahoma's religious and >>>>>>> social justice groups to Bennett. Instead of dividing the community, >>>>>>> Bennett had brought together Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups as >>>>>>> well as >>>>>>> organizations like the NAACP and the ACLU to stand together at a press >>>>>>> conference to denounce Bennett and demand an apology. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Rabbi Vered Harris of Oklahoma City's Temple B'nai Israel told me, >>>>>>> "I respect people of all religions, or no religions, who abide by >>>>>>> America's >>>>>>> core values of tolerance and respect. It's unfortunate that Rep. >>>>>>> Bennett >>>>>>> does not." >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I also spoke with the president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the >>>>>>> NAACP, Anthony Douglas, who said it was too late for Bennett to >>>>>>> apologize, >>>>>>> it was time for him to resign. Douglas, a Vietnam veteran, commented >>>>>>> that >>>>>>> Bennett is "promoting hatred and possibly even violence against Muslim >>>>>>> Americans with his comments and there's simply no place for that from >>>>>>> our >>>>>>> elected officials." >>>>>>> >>>>>>> http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/19/opinion/obeidallah-anti-muslim-bias/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [image: john bennett crazy facebok post] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 9:45:19 AM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> A Zionist Christian? Again, this shows that you have not a clue >>>>>>>> what you ramble on about...... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 9:48 AM, plainolamerican < >>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Bennett is a zionist xian to ignore. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:30:27 AM UTC-5, Travis wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> BareNakedIslam posted: "In a town hall appearance in >>>>>>>>>> Muskogee, Republican Oklahoma State Rep. John Bennett told the >>>>>>>>>> assembled >>>>>>>>>> crowd that the expansion of rights for Muslim Americans is no >>>>>>>>>> different >>>>>>>>>> than the growth of the Nazi Party in Germany before World War II. >>>>>>>>>> Raw >>>>>>>>>> Story Ben" >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> New post on *BARE NAKED ISLAM* >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1> My favorite Oklahoma >>>>>>>>>> Congressman, John Bennett, says: “Muslims can’t be trusted if they >>>>>>>>>> follow Islam” >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/> >>>>>>>>>> by >>>>>>>>>> BareNakedIslam <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> In a town hall appearance in Muskogee, Republican Oklahoma State >>>>>>>>>> Rep. John Bennett told the assembled crowd that the expansion of >>>>>>>>>> rights for >>>>>>>>>> Muslim Americans is no different than the growth of the Nazi Party >>>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>>> Germany before World War II. Raw Story Bennett argued that there >>>>>>>>>> are no >>>>>>>>>> distinctions between radical Islamists and everyday […] >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Read more of this post >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/> >>>>>>>>>> *BareNakedIslam <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1>* | >>>>>>>>>> October 8, 2014 at 6:20 pm | Categories: EnemyWithin-America >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?taxonomy=category&term=enemywithin-america>, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Islam in America >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?taxonomy=category&term=islam-in-america> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> | URL: http://wp.me/p276zM-18u7 >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Comment >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/#respond> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> See all comments >>>>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/#comments> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Unsubscribe >>>>>>>>>> <https://subscribe.wordpress.com/?key=7f89380f46003915c34c2cdd2b126a38&email=bovinescatologists%40gmail.com&b=LC-68%2F%3Fr.6ktrdO%3F%2BHR%7ES%7Efugc2yAlV%2BQWSv%2BZgWOXZCICeo7JC> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> to no longer receive posts from BARE NAKED ISLAM. >>>>>>>>>> Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions >>>>>>>>>> <https://subscribe.wordpress.com/?key=7f89380f46003915c34c2cdd2b126a38&email=bovinescatologists%40gmail.com>. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> *Trouble clicking?* Copy and paste this URL into your browser: >>>>>>>>>> http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahom >>>>>>>>>> a-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-t >>>>>>>>>> hey-follow-islam/ >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. >>>>>>>>> For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group >>>>>>>>> /PoliticalForum >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ >>>>>>>>> * It's active and moderated. 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