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Re: Re: Re: Aardige -
I agree, life itself is a miracle. It is a pity so many take it for granted.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on July 17, 2008 at 2:16 AM
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Re: Re: Aardige -
It is amazing how you and your kind have survived through all this
I'd say it's a miracle, but I think life itself is a miracle!
posted by
gapcohen
on July 16, 2008 at 2:18 PM
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Re: Aardige -
Thanks for the informative response. Interesting twist about the Jesuits!!. It is amazing how long such nonsense can stay alive and get used by trouble makers over and over. I think people who don't want to think too long and hard about matters find it easier to appoint a scapegoat and I realize that Jews have been the victims of such appointment fairly regularly throughout history. Even some of the great plagues were blamed on Jews. It is amazing how you and your kind have survived through all this.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on July 16, 2008 at 2:06 PM
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Aardige -
Not sure about trade agreements, in which most of the world contributed, but I know many Jewish South Africans moved to Israel (and the US) because of their distaste for the Apartheid Regime. As far as the hoax, The Protocols go - it was first printed in 1903 in Russian, and was mostly plagiarized from a 1863 French novel in which ironically, the plotters were not Jews but Jesuits!! The real basis for "Zionists are Bad" is just plain old, pure anti-semitism.
posted by
gapcohen
on July 16, 2008 at 7:26 AM
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My own views on Israel/Palestine may well also be a bit slanted based on the history I got to know of that area but I admire your stand regarding tolerance of various peoples and views. I did not really admire official Israeli cooperation and trade with the Apartheid Regime in South Africa when I grew up, but that may have been just more propaganda. Who knows? To my understanding much of the "Zionists are bad" ideas originated with a false document named "the protocols of the elders of Zion" or some such. Is this correct?
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on July 16, 2008 at 6:50 AM
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Re: Hello..I am sorry that there are those who would be so small minded as to
Thanks, Mysteria - kind words in unkind times...
posted by
gapcohen
on July 16, 2008 at 6:43 AM
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Hello..I am sorry that there are those who would be so small minded as to
single out any group. I see it is an unfortunate truth that it happens way too often.
I see this tiny nation as a bright light in a sadly dark area, and my wish would be that everyone would be so inspired as the Israelis...
posted by
mysteria
on July 16, 2008 at 6:27 AM
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Re:
I try to live my faith rather than talk about
These are the people, yourself included, I most connect with - and the truly spriritual. To respect others, you must first respect yourself, and I think that there are a number of insecure people out there who feel that their way can only be validated if everyone else follows them.
posted by
gapcohen
on July 15, 2008 at 9:21 AM
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There is room for everyone! I love your thoughts. I try to live my faith rather than talk about. It puts me in line with your thinking and I am refreshed. I only know what works for me. I have done extensive studying in the Old Testament and none of what you say should shock anyone. It is the way it should be. I am glad they are selfish, if that is what we should say, because the contributions are so important. My faith has a disproportionate number of scientists per the numbers. I love what strong faith can produce. Have a great day! Besides I cannot understand why you would not be fully respected, you live your faith as well. sam
posted by
sam444
on July 15, 2008 at 8:45 AM
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Re: gap
Thanks, Naut - I surmised that you are smart and tolerant from your insightful, witty and irreverent posts (which I enjoy immensely). I guess I'm one of those insanely optimistic people who believe that knowledge will win out over hatred. But I could be wrong. I'm just trying to do my part and hope for the best. Mal
posted by
gapcohen
on July 15, 2008 at 5:05 AM
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gap
As you may or may not know, I am an 'atheist', though I am not a 'fervent' one who wants others to see his light; I never denigrate, much less attempt to destroy someone's faith, as other believers here will confirm. I may not be a believer, but I am very much a part of the immensely rich Judaeo-Christian tradition.
And to me, Israel is the light that illuminates the Middle East. But unfortunately there are those who want to extinguish that light in the name of their conception of God, as outlined in the Koran, the Hadith, and a number of more recent writings, all of which are deeply intolerant of other faiths. I know that, because for the last couple of years I have not only read the Koran, but have studied Islam fairly intensively. (I have also posted on some of that.) Of course, not all Muslims share those views, but many do. And we in the West, for whom tolerance is one of the highest virtues, find it difficult to deal with Islam, because it would mean to be intolerant towards a religion, even if it's a religion whose God demands intolerance from his followers, and a religion that has always been and is to this day also a political movement...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 14, 2008 at 9:25 PM
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You are! Honestly, you are spot on...
We need more connecting and less dissecting; hey, I'm a POET!
posted by
VictoriaP
on July 14, 2008 at 6:39 PM
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Thanks Vickip
It's a short hop from disrespect to violence, I'm afraid. We need more connecting and less dissecting; hey, I'm a POET!!
posted by
gapcohen
on July 14, 2008 at 5:52 PM
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Excellent post Gap ...and I agree especially with this statement:
"...never said, nor will I ever say that atheists, Muslims, Christians and other religious groups are inferior to me in any way. There are righteous and outstanding people in every one of these groups, and I am fortunate enough to call some my friends..." Amen sistah!
posted by
VictoriaP
on July 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM
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