On Jews, Israel and Anti-Semites

If one is a believing Jew, it is impossible to BE such a Jew without believing in God's promise of Israel. Among the greatest acts a believing Jew can perform is known as Aliyah -- or "being called" which in the sense of Israel means to be called home.

That's Judaism, as it was believed and practiced since the Romans more or less kicked them out about 2,000 years ago. All the time Jews settled in Europe, Africa, Asia and later, the Americas -- every Jew knew that tomorrow we shall be in Israel -- that someday God would return them.

Now, some Jews only believed that this could happen under the messiah, but scholars agreed overall that God would work the Return in His own way and time.

Enter Zionism -- a largely SECULAR movement, more or less a socialist movement, to create a nation for the Jews, but Jews as an ethnic group, not necessarily religion. Either way, they went to rabbinical, Jewish religious tradition -- to decide what made a"Jew a Jew," and decided it was -- if one's birth mother was a Jew, or you were a lawful convert -- you were a Jew.

Even if your religion is Buddhist, or a Jew-Bu, as they(we) like to call ourselves, you can be admitted to Israel as a citizen -- as long as momma was Jewish. All except what I am -- a messianic Jew. Ironic, to be sure, but they don't like us Jews for Jesus much.

Now, many of us, myself included, a Jew who is not believer in Judaism, might find this whole viewpoint crazy, but different religions have different declarative statements.

To Christians (the vast majority) Christ died and rose. Crazy idea but it's what we believe.

Jews, depending upon the tradition, may or may not have certain dietary laws, keeping Kosher.

There is also have that ethnic component, a child of Jewish woman is a Jew.

Also, there is a land deal with God. This is obviously controversial to people who don't believe in this God, or people who don't believe the deal is valid for whatever reason.

Now, it certainly is possible to be anti-Zionist and NOT anti-Semitic, but it's VERY difficult. You technically are not anti Jew, but you ARE anti-Judaism. Tough stuff. A very narrow line indeed.

These are difficult issues and don't lend themselves well to snaps and one liners. That being said, just as a great deal of the people who are big in the anti-illegal immigration movement are in fact bigots, a great number of anti-Zionists are anti-Semites.

As someone who for most of his life has been Jewish, not religious, AND against the State of Israel (I am against all religious states and all religious tests for citizenship), I have pondered these issues. I DO however support the State of Israel as an ally of the United States, just as I support England, while disagreeing with the status of its Church (same with Lutheran/Germany and so on).

That being said I come to my position knowing that one can not separate the Children of Israel from Israel. It is what it is.

Cap and Crap

More evidence that Obama and his congress are perhaps the worst government we have ever had the misfortune to have serve us.

At least the ineffectual republicans made a halfway decent video. No matter what, this terrible piece of legislation will make things worse for some time to come. Idiots.

I Support the people of Iran

I am with you and praying for you in your efforts, in your quest to be free.

Happy Father's Day

Had to find a Star Wars one, of course. On a more serious, and joyful note, I would like to take the time to thank my F(f)athers in Heaven.

My dear dad, I can not express how much I miss you. You are one of the biggest parts of what make me me, and even though we didn't always see eye-to-eye on everything, I miss every debate, every groan, every smirk we made in each other's direction. I eagerly await our reunion. Until then, thank you and Happy Father's Day.

Dear Father in Heaven, El Shaddai, thank you for giving me my other dad, our blessed lives and all the bounty and great things we shared. I'll see you when you lift me up into your arms. Until then, thank you and Happy Father's Day.

To those of you who are fathers out there, may our Father in Heaven bless you and keep you. Thank you for being there for your kids when you can. Thank you for taking the loving responsibility for new life, and new civilization. The future depends on you. Have a great day. Chill and grill.

Knowing God & Common Sense

Been very busy in the real world so I haven't had much time to post here. Pastor Dennis is back as well over at Message in Motion:

A Cartoon

Fan Made Green Lantern Trailer

When they are good, I love these things. This one's cool: