Religious Question
An uproar involving a chaplin working with Washington Nationals players made the news toward the end of last season.
So, it is apparently "not nice" for a Christian to suggest that Jews (or anyone else, but especially Jews it appears) are not going to heaven because they don't accept Christ. Now, last time I checked, the primary, if not the only, indisputable tennant of the Christian religion was that Christ was the messiah and the only way to heaven. According to our holy scripture, Christ himself claims to be the only way. Only means, well, only, doesn't it? And being the only way doesn't justify harming or hating unbelievers. In fact, Christ made that pretty clear as well.
So, what is the problem?
Ok, let me ask this way. Jews say they are the chosen people of God. To the Jew, to be atoned for one's sins, one must be Jewish and follow the very specific ritual for the Day of Attonement. Christians do not follow the Law strictly as Orthodox and other Jews do.
Are Christians NOT God's chosen people? Are Christians, who are not included in the Day of Attonement, forgiven of sins? Are Christians going to get the same after life rewards as Jews?
I don't think there is any doubt that Muslims have similar "only way" beliefs.
I doubt the answer of the Jew would be any different.
Maybe someone just needs to ask the same question of the Jewish leaders. Why are you God's chosen people? Why do you think you are better than everyone else? Does you belief justify persecution of Muslims and Christians?
I just don't see what the big deal is when any religious leader says he or she has the right answer and the only right answer (at least, as is almost always the case, when not accompanied by the advocasy of violence against non-believers). I would expect them to say that. Otherwise, why bother belonging to that religious community. The health care benefits?
So what is the big deal?
posted by KJ @ 8:07 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Here's some corrections to your conceptions of Judaism.
Jews condisder themselves chosen for a specific task, that of keeping the Torah and spreading the values inherent in the Torah (Not converting one to Judaism, the values of the Torah, which are available to all.) I don't consider myself "better" than anyone else on the basis of faith and the Rabbi's have stated that the individual is judged on how they conduct themselves. A Jew, if anything, especially one who is has learned Jewish law and understands it, is judged more harshly.
You don't have to be Jewish to repent. There is a special day set aside for reprentence, for Jews, but that doesn't mean one can't repent without it.
One basic tenent of Jewish belief is the good of ALL nations will have a share in the world to come. So yep, everyone, Jewish or non-Jewish has a share in the world to come.
Judaism is more a religion of action rather than belief.
That said, I really don't get worked up by people who think I'm going to hell. I beleive they are wrong. Now if this were in a school I'd feel differently about the actions but as long as the players aren't required to hear religous sermons/conversations, I don't care.
Rachel,
Thank you for your input. I don't have an education in Jewish beliefs other than reading the Old Testament and some Christian perspective educaiton on the subject (which included Rabbi lectures). Still, I seem to remember a whole lot of smiting the non-Jewish people for not following the law, and the book of Ruth was a celebration of a non-Jew becoming a Jew, then becoming one in the line of David, the ultimate Jew in a way since his line should produce the messiah.
If Jews don't promote conversion, that seems awfully selfish, keeping the whole chosen people thing to yourself and all.
Actually, I don't ANY time wondering about whether Jews are saved. I seem to recall reading something in Revelations that made me think that a proper Christian perspective is that Jews will get another chance to accept Christ -- the benefits of membership. But I have never bothered to research that shadow memory to see if it is correct.
I still think this whole controversy is silly. Neither a Christian nor a Jew nor a Muslim should appologize for thinking they have the answer.
A Scientolgist, OTOH, should be ridiculed mercilessly.
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