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From: simon@simon_pc.UUCP (Simon Shapiro)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Racism and Judaism
Message-ID: <164@simon_pc.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 5-Mar-86 14:47:04 EST
Article-I.D.: simon_pc.164
Posted: Wed Mar  5 14:47:04 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 8-Mar-86 15:28:21 EST
References: <8602201930.AA22598@ucbvax.berkeley.edu> <1144@ihlpa.UUCP> <1072@unc.unc.UUCP>
Organization: S*H & Company, Walnut Creek, California
Lines: 35
Summary: Make your own definition!

In article <1072@unc.unc.UUCP>, fsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann) writes:
> 
> Do you favor letting Hitler's warped ideas define Jewishness for you?
> I think Jews should define Jewishness, rather than letting the outside
> world decide for us.  In none of my postings have I claimed to have
> the answer.  The Orthodox believe they have the answers; I only ask
> whether anyone has an alternative definition that makes sense.
> 
> 	Frank Silbermann

I do not think that Hitler's warped ideas were created in a vacum. 
I think he represented a twisted, extreamed view of the situation.
I think he was not alone in his opinions, nor did these opinions go 
away.  

As to the definition of "Who is a Jew?"  there is even a law (I am not 
proud to talk about it in public) in Israel bearing this name.  I think
that (at least in Israel) a separation of 'church & state' should occur.
I think that everyone should be allowed to label oneself to onself's
heart content.  If you see yourself as a Jew, fine with me.  If you see
yourself as a jewish national, or Israeli, that is fine with me.  Just
do not pass laws defining me as this or that.  When you do, all these
self-rightous (spelled badly, I am sure) jew haters will grab it
and run away screaming "APARTHEID... RACISM... I TOLD YOU SO..." and
make it rather difficult to argue them wrong.

I will fight to protect the state of Israel.  I will NOT fight against
any internal group because of their religous bend.  Exactly because
I exclude myself (and demand the state to do the same) from this argument.

I do see Israel keeping its protective refuge status.  Jews are beeing 
mistreated because of what they are.  There is no other place in the world
for them to go freely. 

Simon.