In response to my last blog entry on Dennis Prager, a poster made the following comments. These comments reflect a view of Christians that is common amongst many Jews. And there is good reason for it. We Jews have historically been mistreated and persecuted by Christianity for much of the last two millennia. There were pogroms, inquisitions, and the ultimate culminating act of anti-Semitism perpetrated by Christians, the holocaust. But things have changed. I will explain why. Let’s begin with the poster’s comments:
“I too like Dennis Prager, but I strongly disagree with his constant Christian ... kissing. He does not realize that the warm feelings he has toward his evangelical audience are not reciprocated! This group does not like Jews, and it abhors Judaism for its "legalistic" ways that deny God's grace. They despise our adherence to the Shulchan Aruch that you yourself have stated is the defining principle of observant Judaism. – JF”
I do not agree with this assessment. I have been interested in the Evangelicals new take on Jews and Judaism for quite some time... long before the current interest it has recently received from many observant media figures. Just to name a few besides Dennis Prager: Michael Medved, Rabbi Shmuely Boteach, and Rabbi Daniel Lapin ...all have sung the praises of this “new” Christian.
It is my good fortune to know Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president of “The international fellowship of Christians and Jews”. He is quite intimate with Evangelicals and if anyone knows their current mindset it is him. And what he told me coincides with my own observations over the years.
I can assure you that they indeed have gone 180 degrees in their attitudes about proselytizing us. Of course they would like to see us convert. They believe that their way is the only way to get into heaven. But they realize that their efforts have done more harm than good and instead of trying to convert us they pray for us. Of course there are exceptions and some evangelical zealots are still out there trying to convert us, but it is a very small number and certainly not mainstream Evangelicals.
They see observant Jews as reflecting the same moral values that they have. As such they look to us as allies in the cultural “war” against immorality in this country. They truly believe in the biblical verses repeated several tines in the Torah about “God blessing those who bless the Jewish people”. They see it as a religious obligation to bless us.
They are also the strongest supporters of Israel. In part that is because of a theology that requires us to be “ingathered” and to rebuild our holy Jewish Temple before “the second coming”. But mostly it is because they see a shining democracy amidst a sea of primitive people guided by a primitive and violent religion called Islam. It is Muslims that are the current target of their enmity, especially since 9/11. Evangelicals see Orthodox Jews as Americans who share common values on morality and who have similar views on issues like abortion, vouchers, evolution and many other issues.
They see Israelis as a people with western values who look and act very much like themselves. It is only natural to identify with them. Evangelicals see crazed Islamic suicide bombers attacking innocent people who in many cases are idealistic Americans who moved to the holy land for religious purposes. They strongly identify with the Jewish people that way. Their support and friendship toward Israel and Israelis is real and no matter how much we deny it or try and characterize Evangelicals as having ulterior motives, they continue to heap support both financial and moral to the people and State of Israel. And their donations do not come with strings attached. Most Evangelicals are sincere and religious people who are trying to do the right thing in the eyes of God and have no ulterior motives.
In fact if there is any criticism at all it is usually against the secular Jews who are often at odds with their conservative social values. They believe even more than most Jews do that Israel should retain all the territories and never give in to terrorism. Many call themselves Christian Zionists and were in the forefront of those who opposed the Gaza withdrawal.
It should also be noted that there are mainstream liberal Christians like the Presbyterians who are more “liberal” than “Christian” ...and who will side with the social agendas of the left which includes boycotting investment in Israel as long as they “occupy” the West Bank. But this seems to be coming from a lay leadership and not from the vast majority of their membership. Most religious Christians do not support the boycott.
As for Catholics, they too have changed their view on Judaism. They no longer consider Judaism to be a false religion. They consider Judaism a sister religion. They have clearly removed any hint of anti-Semitic doctrine from their Church. Pope Paul did this as a result of Pope John’s’ wishes. And most recently they have acknowledged their own extent of culpability in the holocaust and have apologized for it.
Finally there is President Bush, the most prominent Evangelical on the world stage. There has never been a better relationship with a leader of government than the one we now have with President Bush. And when I say “we”, I mean the Torah world. Last year the vast majority of participants at the White House Chanukah celebrations were Orthodox Jews.
I think it behooves those with views like yours (...and I believe that there are a great number of observant Jews, perhaps a majority, who view things as you do...) to reassess your position with respect to Christianity. They are now on our side. Things may change in the future ...one never knows and we must keep a vigilant eye on things. But right now our relationship is good. Their attitude toward us has never been better. We ought to recognize that, acknowledge it publicly, and appreciate it.
