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From: abeles@mhuxm.UUCP (abeles)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Undercurrents of Christianity in America
Message-ID: <258@mhuxm.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Oct-84 15:09:29 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxm.258
Posted: Wed Oct 31 15:09:29 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Nov-84 05:04:19 EST
References: <1623@ucf-cs.UUCP>
Distribution: net.religion
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Murray Hill, NJ
Lines: 30

On one of the "Heritage" series shows with Abba Eban, aired locally on
channel 58 from New Brunswick, NJ October 30, he discussed something very
interesting and germane to the Phil Donahue episode discussed by
Ben-David.  One of the Rothschilds was elected to the English Parliament
but refused to swear on the Anglican bible, which had been required
before beginning a term in the House of Commons.  This was in the early
1800's, actually c. 1846.  He was prevented from assuming office.

The Anglican church said that England was a Christian country, just like
the lady on the Phil Donahue show claimed.  Evidently the predominantly
Christian English (thank G-d!) disagreed because after 12 years of debate,
according to Eban, in 1858, following 6 re-elections of which 5 were
only symbolic this Jew was permitted to take office in the Parliament without
swearing on the Anglican bible.

I would conclude that while we as Jews may occasionally express our minority
status by saying among ourselves that the US (e. g.) is a "Christian" 
country, this is not a true statement.  At least, in the sense that the
Christian establishment has defined it to be, the US and England, France,
Italy, etc., etc., etc. are not Christian countries.

The punch line of the history given by Eban is that in 1868 a son of
a Jewish father who had converted to Christianity in order to participate
more easily in society, who was viewed by many Christians as being Jewish,
became Prime Minister.  I refer, of course, to Benjamin Disraeli.
Considering the touchiness with which is viewed the possibility of an
American Jew becoming President of the United States, it is remarkable that
England had a "Jewish" head of state 116 years ago!

--J. Abeles