Remember a while back when some Florida pastor with a bad mustache and worse manners threatened and then ultimately burned a Koran? I am sure you do. It had plenty of two things, media coverage and body count.
There is another story that is likely to have neither of those things, mercifully. The Bible Society in Israel sent some copies of the New Testament to members of the Israeli Knesset with a note that said "We hope the book will help you and illuminate your way.” MK Michael Ben Ari, with better facial hair than the aforementioned Florida Pastor but equally poor manners, made a show of ripping it up in front of the press.
Well then. Mr. Ben Ari suggests his act was some sort of reciprocity over the Inquisition, or something. Yeah, the Inquisition.
“This abominable book (the New Testament) galvanized the murder of millions of Jews during the Inquisition and during auto da fe instances,” Ben Ari said adding that “Sending the book to MK's is a provocation. There is no doubt that this book and all it represents belongs in the garbage can of history.”
Millions of Jews killed in the inquisition? No, not millions, not even close. Yet even one is too many. It seems that those who do not know their history are condemned to make it up.
No doubt, Jews have suffered at the hands of Christians over the centuries and that is certainly reprehensible. Actually, over the centuries almost every group has suffered at the hands of another, that is our lot. Who we see as the bad guy often depends upon who is playing the scary music on cue during the re-telling.
But it seems odd that Mr. Ben Ari would loose his vitriol on Christians in such a rude way at this moment in history for the Jews, as the scary music is playing loudly but we Christians are not in the scene. People in that part of the world sometimes mail things much more offensive to Jews than New Testaments, things that go tick and all. And besides, persecuted Christians are doing most of the dying around the world these days.
To their credit, multiple other member of the Knesset condemned the offensive act.
Ripping up the Word of God is rude for sure, but if Jesus can take it, I suppose we can too.
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Plus… the new testament is a Jewish book. Not very hospitable to his fellow Jews!
Poor manners indeed, but this was also in the article link you provided:
“Government spokesman Mark Regev said, “We totally deplore this behavior and condemn it outright. This action stands in complete contrast to our values and our traditions. Israel is a tolerant society, but we have zero tolerance for this despicable and hateful act.”
Kathleen
As I referenced when I wrote “To their credit, multiple other member of the Knesset condemned the offensive act.”
Posted by Pat Archbold on Friday, Jul 20, 2012 8:58 AM (EST):Kathleen
As I referenced when I wrote “To their credit, multiple other member of the Knesset condemned the offensive act.”
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Yes, you did.Thanks.
And to think that I was defending the right of his European brethren to have their children circumcised against a snobbish elite who are suddenly not ‘intimidated by accusations of anti-semitism’ (were more terrifying words ever spoken?). Is he trying to tell me my services are no longer needed? Are we seriously reduced to trading barbs over who might have done what to whom several hundred years ago, when we have a common enemy who would destroy both of us right now? Oy vey!
Oh, and I guess it’s a good thing we don’t worship a book! ;)
So how would the Parliament member feel if someone ripped up the Old Testament? Just another stupid person in government!
Since other members of Israeli Knesset had condemned this barbaric and uncivilized act of this lunatic we take it that it was an act reminiscent of Jesus’s prayer to wit: ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’. This lunatic should remember that the same Christians who hold the New Testament very sacred eventually placed the Jews out of harm’s way by founding the state of Israel for the Jews. This lunatic must not offend Christians otherwise America, a Christian country, would just stop supporting Israel. And should that happen I doubt whether Israel would hold out much longer against the Arabs.
7/22/12…As the world witnesses both parties tear up a book, the pastor in Florida and the Jewish Mr. Ben Ari, can the world wonder about the emotional maturity of these two men who seem to think that they represent their particular religion apropriately? In the real world, what do you seriously think these two gentlemen believe their motive was in tearing up a book? Is this what they, these two men past 50 years old, want children of the world to learn what mature adults should do especially under their own cloaks of religion? Maturity is accepting someone else may not agree with ones beliefs and not react. Yet, thru each of our own responses to someone elses resistance to ones beliefs, the less militant behavior may draw the other party unto the others faith because self control and respect where one is in ones who faith is individual choice, especially in a world where there is such cohersion and agressive threats to those who do not believe as yourself. Jesus said, and I hope that the Pastor in Florida has read this part since he claims to be an overseerer of others less spiritually mature, “Let your Light so shine so men may see your good deeds so that your Father in Heaven maybe glorified.” Even if Jesus was not the spokes person of these words, are not these words of wisdom for usage in mans life? Self control is not evident on either side of these parties, Jew or Christian. Meanwhile, the world watches along with the children of the World…Who is really their god? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for THEY are called the children of God.” Even children become self involved, lack self control and become rebellious and do we all not know what happens to rebellious, hard headed, self involved little children?....The Rose
Do none of you understand the deep pain which Christians and Christianity bring to our Jewish brothers and sisters. These comments are selfish, self-serving and devoid of any sense of compassion and empathy. Whether you like it or not, the New Testament symbolizes an infinity of pain for Jews. The ‘good news’ in its pages has been sourced in antiquity and even today to produce hatred in general and anti-semitism specifically. The destruction of the book by Jewish recipients is entirely understandable within the context of the great and infinity agony which Christians have created for the Jews. One day, Christian compassion will exceed our need to cast judgement. What we write (and post), what we do, will allow us to be known for our love. Perhaps then, gifts of New Testaments will be welcomed and trusted. Judging by the posts I am reading here, that day remains far in the distance.
“What profit has this fable of the CHRIST not brought us!” Pope LEO X
“I personally do not think that this Jesus Christ was a historical person, but if the French people wish to keep
believing this, then I will not object to their wishes!” Napoleon Bonaparte speaking to Charles Dupuis on his expedition to Egypt to retrieve the Rosetta Stone.
Charles Dupuis accompanied Napoleon to Egypt and discovered the Rosetta Stone, which was important in disiphering the Eqyptian hieroglyphics. There is some evidence (concerning lost letters of Charles Dupuis) that he visited George Washington and they both discussed that JESUS CHRIST was not a historical figure. George Washington never discussed Jesus Christ during his tenure as president and after his retirement-He lived as a Roman pagan, just the ideas as the American Republic was founded upon!
Why did you erase my thoughtfully crafted comment? I’ll not waste my time trying to recreate it. Talk to you webmaster about changing your software.
Clearly an act of “Anti-Christianism” (since we don’t have our own convenient word for this kind of disrespect). The age old double standard that we must respect them, but it’s optional for them to respect us. It’s OK, however, for us Christians engage in endless war to make things safe for them.
I hope this gets wide coverage so the Neocon warvangelicals who think killing Muslims for Israel will get them into heave or raptured will see what useful idiots they have been.
There is no double standard here at all. The playing field has never been level. It hurts me, but I can understand the pain which might motivate a Jew to tear up the Gospels. As ‘William’ writes, Christanity is not far removed from being the source of great persecution. That is the spiritual legacy which we have created for oursleves. It yet remains for us to prove that the Love we profess on Sunday is a Love we actually practice on Monday. As Catholics, we are called to a greater understanding, a more powerful forgiveness and a deeper compassion. I don’t think we are called to war, but there is no doubt that we are called to ‘make things better’ for all-endlessly. There is no doubt that we are called also to keep the jews in a special place in our heart, faitha nd action. Christ himself did this. Are you up for the challenege of being called a Peace Maker? Are you ready to be known by your Love? It is not for the weak of heart and it will not be something which is accomplished by bitter people.
Christians, as well as many other groups, have been persecuted throughout history as well. It continues to this day. It is an unfortunate, ongoing problem for humanity. The issue is the lack tolerance and respect. One can not demand to be respected if one doesn’t respect others.
The ‘Christians have also been persecuted’ gambit remains trite and overused. It takes us away from the thinking which allows us to be peace makers. While it is true that Christians have been persecuted, history will detail a scale of persecution which pales in comparison to anti-semitism. All persecution pales in comparison to the Holocaust and to Jewish persecution in general. Yes, a metaview of the issue allows one to focus upon ‘tolerance’ or ‘respect’, but this simply white-washes the absolute responsibility which Christians must take for the pain catalyzed by our religion. It allows us to ignore the injuries we have caused others by focusing upon the hurt others bring to our lives. Thank gosh Christ did not do this! The idea that we can’t respect those who do not respect us is found nowhere in the Gospels. The opposite is in fact mandated; we are commanded to love these people the most. I am new to this site. I wonder how it is that so much energy is poured into rationalizing away the call Christ made to us to be bigger, better, stronger, and more committed to Love than those around us.
@Frederick, I wonder what point you are trying to make here! Are you saying that ripping The Book of The New Testament was right, in reprisal for what the Jews had suffered? If that is your point then I better advise you to wake up and smell the coffee.
Tell the Christians that have been and are being persecuted today, Priests, Nuns, Missionary Workers, and others who are being denied their right to practice their faith, that their suffering is “trite”. The “I’ve been persecuted more than you have”, “My persecution was worse than yours” excuse for bad behavior is “overused”. Religious persecution is religious persecution. Dead is dead. It is ALWAYS wrong.
Provocative acts like Mr. Ben Ari committed are inflammatory and can only cause more problems for him and for other people who commit them. He could have simply refused the New Testaments, instead he chose to make an exaggerated, arrogant, display of his disapproval that accomplished nothing.
Frederick, at the holocaust more Christians were killed by the nazis than Jews.
Let us also not forget that the Jews and the organizations they founded are overwhelmingly in favor of abortion.
Remember too that being a peacemaker was just one line in the gospel and there is hundreds of other lines and many ecumenical councils to consider when summing up our Catholic faith.
However, we should not let the actions of a member of the condemned trouble us. Yes, condemned because Our Lord said that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
If the Jews think that their hands are clean, then they are truly delusional.
We really shouldn’t let the action of some perfidious Jew bother us.
But doesn’t it seem that Frederick and William have hearts filled with hate toward Christians?
If someone tears up a New Testament, it is a sign of a condemned soul.
Please read your history books. The Jews were the intellectual and physical force which led to the Bolshevik revolution and the millions killed and again the Ukrainian ethnic starvation by Stalin why a Jew in charge of the genocide. There are solid reasons for the continued unpopularity of the Jews and none of it is based on irrationality.
Truth seeker- your posts reek of the last gasps of Nazi anti-semitism. Worse yet, they are boring and uninspiring on any level. Apologists such as yourself have been defaming Christ for 1000’s of years and the Church has survived. We will endure your deadweight too. I must wonder at your motivations, reincarnating a thread months dead so that you can condemn Jews. Your kindness and mercy are duly noted.
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