Exonerating the Jews: 10-4/5-2008

Oct. 4 is, at least according to one source, an important date to remember in the history of Jewish-Christian relations.

It was on that date in 1965, when Pope Paul VI arrived in New York City on the first visit to the United States by a pope in all of history. He spoke then both at Yankee Stadium and at the United Nations. In the U.N. speech, says An Almanac of the Christian Church, he announced publication of a document in which the Catholic Church -- reversing centuries of anti-Jewish libel -- exonerated Jews of blame in the death of Jesus Christ.

The actual document, known as "Nostra Aetate," or "In Our Time," contains a publication date, as you can see at the link to which I've connected you, of Oct. 28, 1965, but it was on this weekend 43 years ago that this Vatican II document was revealed to the world, William D. Blake's book says. (I've sought confirmation of the Oct. 4 announcement from Catholic sources and haven't been able to get it, though in my experience Blake's book is quite reliable.)

If you are interested in a longish history of anti-Judaism in Christian history and the role Nostra Aetate played in that, I invite you to read my essay on this subject. You can find it under the "Check this out" headline on the right side of this page.

Because I take up the subject in much more depth there, I won't go into lots of details here except to say that Jewish leadership welcomed Nostra Aetate and the document has led to a marked improvement in relations between Christians and Jews. That said, the document still contains problematic statements, as far as Jews are concerned, and much more needs to be done to create a relationship of mutual respect between Jews and Christians.

In that process, however, it's vital that those of us who are Christians understand the shameful history of anti-Judaism that stains our religion. In my experience, many American Christians have only the foggiest notion of this. And that's indefensible ignorance of history.

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WITH A HOLY ROLLERCOASTER?

Developers say they may build a Bible theme park in Tennessee. I thought one already existed -- called Colorado Springs.

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P.S.: Billy Graham turns 90 on Nov. 7 (my late father's birthday). And if Graham has been important to you in some way you have an online opportunity to send him a message. For details, click here.

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ANOTHER P.S.: This writer asks a good question: Why have the media given so much attention to Bill Maher's new anti-religion movie, "Religulous," while barely noticing some faith-friendly films that are doing well at he box office?

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AND ANOTHER P.S.: An atheist group is suing President Bush and others over National Day of Prayer. Ah, the fun we have in a nation that takes religious freedom seriously. Imagine a group trying this in Saudi Arabia.

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NOTICE: The writing class I have proposed teaching next summer at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico has been approved for the week of July 13-19. For details, look on the right side of this page for the "Check this out" headline and click on the link to the page about the 2009 Ghost Ranch class. I hope to see some of you there.

To read my latest Kansas City Star work, click here. (My Saturday column is about the obligation of people of faith to consider all their values, not just a few, when voting.) NOTE: As of Saturday morning, the column is not posted on the Star's Web site. I don't know why. I'm trying to get that fixed. UPDATE: The problem was fixed quickly. The column now is posted.

Today's religious holiday: St. Francis Day (Catholic Christianity; 4th)

Comments

[adamh]

You know who is really blaming the Jews?

The New Atheists. Richard Dawkins says a "notorious Jewish Lobby" controls the USA, Pages 4 and 44 of his Delusional Book, hardback.

And Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens blame them for all the problems in the middle east, not to mention for bringing monotheism to the world, and consequently for our present oil crisis and terrorism.

Go figure.

[Dolores Lear]

Until we understand the Human Root Cause of Hate, Inhumanity, and Inequality, of All Life on Spaceship Earth, what can 7 Billion Humans look forward to, with Pollution and Nuclear Bombs on Land and Sea, except to destroy Earth's Eco System and Life as we Know it?

Will our Help Come from Outer Space as Religion teaches? Will the Gods, who started Life on Earth, Return for a few? Or did Life Evolve over billions of years?

All the Tribes of Israel, have spread and intermarried over the whole planet. Out of the 7 billion humans today, 144,000 is the limit God will Save.

Revelation 7:1-4. KJV. "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, - - Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."

Why Kill Each Other? Why not accept that Heterosexual Body Birth is responsible, for the Misbred Killing Population Explosion, Pollution and and Nuclear Bombs on land and sea?

With our High Tech Knowledge today, we should Know, Eternal Physical Life After Birth, is for High Tech Purebred Humans After Birth, in Spaceships and on Planets.

God is a God of the Living, not the Dead.

[Joe Barone]

It is almost impossible to understand the ill feeling the "Jesus only" approach to Jews has caused, not to mention other anti-Jewish Christian views such as "the Jews killed Jesus" idea you mentioned above. I am a Unitarian-Universalist who worships with Jewish friends. Sometimes it feels like my Jewish friends are angry at me as a Christian because of the traditional ways they have been treated by other Christians. Reconciliation doesn't come easy.

[Just Thinking]

Apparently there are new problems brewing because of the recent financial problems in this country. The ADL is reporting a spike in online anti-Semitism.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081002210140.fe4gfrf2&show_article=1

Joe, the "Jesus only" approach to Christianity is not a problem. Jesus is part of God, and God has been the same from the beginning: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." That's not a problem. The problem is the ignorant who interpret statements that the only way to God is through Jesus to mean "the only way to God is through my narrow vision of God." That's the the wrong interpretation. I have no doubt in my mind, Joe, that those who find God will have done so through the the part of God with sole authority to reconcile man to God. That is Jesus.

Those who turn a journey to God into a game of rules and technicalities, into a game of spiritual twister, seek their own glory and not the glory of God. THEY want to be in control. It is about THEIR glory. THEY hold the keys to the Kingdom. Honestly, how could anyone turn a statement from "the only way to the Father is through the Son" into "the only way to God is through the rules and technicalities that IIIIII put forth." It's a very twisted misunderstanding and glory-seeking mentality that turns "Jesus only" into "salvation by my shallow notions only." That doesn't sound like "Jesus only," does it? That sounds like "THEM only" to me.

God looks at the heart. It's not a spiritual game of twister or an empty-headed step1-step2-step3 hokie pokie. This is not a game with rules determined by a spiritual twister crowd. It's judgment of the heart determined by an eternal God.

[Dolores Lear]

What does the Common Good for All Humans mean? Compromise of all Religious and Government Principles?

What are Religious and Government Core Value Principles, for the 'Common Good? Can All Citizens Share Gods Resources Equally, but not Government Resources?

In the USA Election, what are the Concepts of Economic Justice and Environmental Stewardship? Who are Value Voters?

Citizens For, or Against: God in Government, Capital Punishment, a Religious Supreme Court, Abortion, Same Sex Marriage, Trillion Dollar bail out, Taxes, 'Pork' for some, Small Tax Refunds for the Poor, Conscientious Objectors, War and Preemptive War, etc.

What has Sharing our Earths Resources, Equally, with our Brothers/Sisters, and All Life including our Eco System, have to do with a God or No God? Equal Sharing, should be a Core Value for all Humans.

Seven Billion Humans on Earth, have cut God up into Many Pieces. Will it be Humanly Possible, to put the One God of Life on Earth, back together again?

Why should God's Children, Kill God's Other Children? To get to Heaven when they Die?

The Living God and Jesus are not Dead, but Alive in the High Tech 'Higher Being' Perfect Genetic Human Bodies, on Planets and in Spaceships. We do Know Humans can travel in Space, in fiery chariots.

Today, Humans do Know about Perfect Genetic and Physical Bodies that can be made by High Tech Science in the Lab, like the Clone Adam and Eve Human Colony, in Genesis.

They were to be the High Tech Reproduced, Equal Peace Caretaker Species. Why did they Start Reproducing Unequal Humans?

Who Cares? The Resulting Heterosexual Body Birth Killer Human Species, who has their Home covered with Pollution and Nuclear Bombs?

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

The calendar of events for KC FreeThinkers is jam packed for the weekend - "Religulous" today, lecture on Cryonics tonight, tomorrow Sunday Voice of Reason, Science Book Club, Skeptical Bible Study & Buddhism, also Wy/LV County Meetup.

A movie night is planned for mid October as well, trip to the Zoo, park clean up and more things to come.

Check out the full calendar at http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm

[Joe Barone]

Bill, I agree with your column today, but I don't think single issue voters will pay any attention to it.

I think I ought to expand on that a little, but I don't know what to say. Some people seem to feel righteous when they vote for a candidate on the basis of a single issue (Phill Kline voters, for example, or creationist voters voting for school board members). To them that issue is more important than the common good.

[Just Thinking]

When voting, it is important to remember what you stand "for." If all that you are known for as a Christian is what you stand "against," then you're not much of a Christian. Standing against people (e.g., casting out demons) and words only (e.g. prophesy) has little value to God:
Matthew 7 - Jesus said
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Standing "against" is not eternal. If you are only known for standing "against," then you have no eternal place. Because evil will not always exist. And when evil no longer exists, then you will no longer be known for anything, if you were only known for what you opposed. Talk is cheap and so is opposition.

Love is eternal because God is love. Helping those in need. Helping those who are sick. Caring for those in jails and prisons. Those are required Christian values which take commitment.
Matthew 25 - Jesus said
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'"

[Dolores Lear]

All the things about Jesus that JT posted at 1:34 are about the Society that Jesus lived in.

All the things he said, were about the Lifestyle of his day, about the poor and homeless, and prisoners.

Jesus was a Passivist, and his movement was about Equal Sharing and the males being Celibate. About setting up a New Sharing Lifestyle, not a religion.

He was against the hyprocracy religion of the Jews in his day. Does God and Jesus teach to build weapons?

Christianity is also abound in hyprocracy. Especially members that approve of their government to go to war, and killing, and put Government rules above Gods rules.

What would happen if all Christians refused to Kill all over the Planet? Suicide or a Change?

To be like Jesus is not like citizens of the USA or any organized religion.

If you don't like it, why not leave?
What does that solve? The whole planet are slaves to the $.

Where is a Government with Full Equality like Jesus taught?
Nowhere then, and nowhere today. Loving Jesus did not change anything.

Humans made weapons, more weapons and now nuclear weapons. Is this what is meant by the Love of God?

[The Man of Constant Sorrow]

I did not know that. It is interesting. I've got jews and Catholics in my family. Well, we don't always get along but our differences have nothing to do with theology.

[adamh]

Astounding, I check KCFreethinkers site and see that our old pal IGGY is lecturing on CRYONICS, for the purpose of freezing your dead body in the hopes that it can be revived at some future date.

A form of atheist "life after death" immortality! LOL!

Funny thing though, I thought atheists said eternal life was not important, and that our present life is all we have?

Do I see a disconnect in their "rational" thinking, or are they simply inadvertently revealing their subconsious fears?

Then again, maybe its just a way to make a few bucks.

AS they advertise, "donations are accepted"...the atheist version of "passing the plate."

By the way, Just Thinking, you are getting pretty self righteous these days, telling us all who is a good Christian and who isn't.

Just like Iggy, you seem to think you have a mission to be telling us what to do...in fact, I wonder if...no, it couldn't be...

Could it?

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

"Foreclosures: Did God Want You to Get That Mortgage?"

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1847053,00.html?xid=rss-business

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

If anyone are interested, I have been invited to a church group that will have a talk about environment on October 9th 7 p.m.

From a skeptical perspective the topic will be what believers and NON BELIEVERS should do from the BIBLICAL perspective in the election season to make educated decisions.

I am fascinated by this - NON BELIEVERS should use BIBLE to vote in presidential elections. Kind of like if you are driving in Olathe, KS on a city street, you are following the driving rules and regulations in Bejin, China at the same time. The logic of this is uncanny.

I have been invited to bring friends as well, I think the talk will be quite interesting.v I'll read up on the environment and the bible, separation of church and state in the bible, perhaps on burning animals as sacrifice to god as well and will see if it will make an interesting talk with these folks.

If anyone is interested to come for the chat, let me know kcfreethinkers@gmail.com

Also, there is a Baptist minister in KC who has granted atheists and agnostics in our group unrestricted access to his church and the Bible Study group. Let me know if you are interested to attend. Several people already contacted me about it. It looks like it generating interest.

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

This morning Sunday, Oct 5th www.KCFreeThinkers.org has started advertising on KKFI 90.1 FM community radio. The ad describes the group as atheists and agnostics interested in church/state separation and gives a glimpse in some speaker who will come to Kansas City in the near future - Dan Barker of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Margaret Downy - formerly of Atheists Alliance International and Blair Scott of American Atheists and also other speaker. The ad will run on several KKFI radio programs of interest to freethinkers.

Also, our own Be-Asia is featured in the Faith section of the KC Star. Be-Asia is a member of Community of Reason, also of KCFreeThinkers.org and spoke to Heartland Humanists about raising children in a secular environment. Here is the link to the piece. "Righteousness lines my path to atheism" - http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/825309.html

There is a blog you can post your comments in about Be-Asia's article, so pitch in.

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

Today's (Sunday, October 5th) freethinking activities in Kansas City. For more upcoming events see http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm

* Time: 10:00 a.m. - Hinduism; 11:15 a.m. - Islam
Event: Hinduism (Seeing God) & Islam (Islam at the Crossroads)
Sponsoring Organization: Community of Reason
Place: Room 307, Haag Hall (northwest corner of 52nd & Rockhill Road), University of Missouri at Kansas City (Park on level 4 of the parking structure south, across the street; 3rd floor of Haag is accessed directly through overhead walkway.)
Link: http://www.communityofreason.net; Phone: 816-561-1866
Additional Information: This is not your normal religious studies class that seeks to learn the "truths" of the religion. Rather we look to see if there are any truths in the various religions. We ask such questions as does it teach acceptable morals; is it historical; why are the sacred texts given such esteem? If you would like to be put on an email distribution list and from time to time receive resource materials and reminders, send an email request to greg@kcfreethought.org.

* Time: 11:00 a.m.
Event: Science & Science Fiction Book Club
Sponsoring Organization: Atheist Meetup
Place: Westport Coffeehouse, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Link: http://atheists.meetup.com/140/
Additional Information: This week and next the group will be reading FlashForward by Robert Sawyer. Sawyer has sold the rights to ABC which will be making the book into a series. It involves the CERN collider and an unexpected outcome to an experiment there. The group will read and discuss the first half of the book this week (up to chapter 16) and the second half next week. Check the Meetup site for up-to-date information. Check the Meetup site for up-to-date details.

[KCFreeThinkers.org]

And some more for today Sunday Oct. 5th. Full calendar of freethinking events at http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm

* Time: 1:00 p.m.
Event: "Economics as Religion; Economics and Secular Humanism" by Dr. James Webb
Sponsoring Organization: Community of Reason
Place: Room 301, Haag Hall (northwest corner of 52nd & Rockhill Road), University of Missouri at Kansas City (Park on level 4 of the parking structure south, across the street; 3rd floor of Haag is accessed directly through overhead walkway.)
Link: http://www.communityofreason.net; Phone: 816-561-1866
Additional Information: Dr. Webb teaches in the department of economics at UMKC. Current economic theories have origins in religious doctrine meant to reconcile science with the existence of an unerring creator. Secular humanism is based on the application of systematic reasoned inquiry to human problems. What does economics look like using a secular humanist approach? Come and hear Dr. Webb's answer!

* Time: 5:00 p.m. - dinner; 6:00 p.m. - program
Event: Good Life Humanists Society Monthly Meeting
Sponsoring Organization: Good Life Humanists Society
Place: Western Sizzlin' Steak House, 12300 Blue Ridge, Grandview, MO
Link: Richard Day
Additional Information: Discussion is always interesting and lively, so come for the discussion if nothing else! Most have dinner, but come even if you do not want to dine.

[Just Thinking]

KCFreeThinkers,

Wow, do you have your own clubhouse and everything? Is there a secret handshake? Do you have to spit on your hand before administering the secret handshake? "All for one and ... well, that's it ... all for one." Maybe your motto could be:
"There'll be none of that standing for righteousness in this place." Or how about, "All we ask is for your lack of belief." Or "United in the common lack of belief."

There is such a brotherly bond in "lack of belief." I can just imagine the ungreat things that you and your little club will do. Maybe you could have a little "woof" "woof" type chant to get people fired up in that lack of belief. Oh, and yes, we must not forget the money and all the ungreat things you'll be able to do with your donations. Another couple of mottos came to mind. "There's a sucker born every minute." "Nobody ever went broke under-estimating the intelligence of the American public." The best part of giving to your little club is that there would be no real expectations that the money would go for anything good or selfless! Nope, no expectations there. "Give us your money and we'll squander it for you, so that you won't have to." You already have a billboard to prove it.

You could have pro-abortion rallies. Wouldn't that be fun, where you encouraged people to have irresponsible and unprotected sex. Where you encouraged people to create unwanted children. You could sacrifice child after child after child to your atheist sex god. Now that's something people could really get behind I'm sure. You could teach classes on who is worthy of living and who is not. That would be fun and educational for the whole family.

[adamh]

There is no Baptist minister who has granted Iggy's group free access to his church.

He did invite them to speak, but not free access.

That said, it looks like Bill's blog is becoming simply free advertising for the local atheist groups. Just try adverstising events on their sites and see what happens! LOL!

[Dolores Lear]

The Atheist Sex God or the Heterosexual Sex God, are the Same Pagan God, that encouraged Perfect Adam and Eve Clones to reproduce Imperfect Killers.

The Lord God 'in the beginning, did not Reproduce the Human Species by Heterosexual Body Birth, but by High Tech Reproduction of Perfect Human Clones in the Lab.

Jesus and other Earth Gods or Prophets, taught Celibacy. In Jesus movement, all males were celibate, no females gave birth.

The 144,000 virgin males Saved at Judgment Day, in Revelation, to go to a new Planet, are Celibate males also.

They will be like the Adam males that began Life on Earth, with their Eve Clones.

Body Birth Humans have not be able to translate this without the High Tech Knowledge today.

Life is for the Pure-bred Asexual Reproduce Clone Helpmeets, not for Humans made by Misbred Heterosexuals.

Eternal Life is for the Purebred Living Humans, with High Tech Regeneration, not for Dead Humans.

[adamh]

"Purebread Living Humans", Delores.

Frankly, I am sick and tired of your racist ramblings, which are more and more reminiscent of Neo Nazism.