I'm with you, Jim, but I understand the author's pov

Reader comment on: Maureen Dowd on Neoconservatives
in response to reader comment: "Snake" reference not antisemitic

Submitted by ChuckintheOC (United States), Sep 17, 2012 00:08

I have to completely agree with you Jim. Jesus was a Jew, so any reference he used in speaking of Jews as "snakes" and "vipers" would be to something other than the simple fact they were Jewish. The "Christian Bible", as it is commonly called by Jews (Christians more often use the term "New Testament") clearly depicts Jesus not only as a wonder working prophet, but as the eternal Logos made flesh, the incarnate Son of God. This strongly implies that Jesus being a Jew was not happenstance, but rather a Divine choice, making any suggestion that Jesus would racially denigrate the Jews (which were HIS chosen people!) pretty absurd on its theological face.

That said, I can clearly understand the author's confusion on this point. It would be too much to expect a Jew who thinks of the New Testament as the "Christian Bible" to understand why Jesus calling the Pharisees "vipers" and "snakes" at Matthew 23 was not a racial slur, given the many racial slurs (not to mention occasional persecutions) Jews have historically endured at the hands of us Christians. So I would offer this correction with a spirt seeking the author's forgiveness for the past offenses of my spiritual forebearers that in all likelihood have played a role in the formation of his perspective and confusion on this point.


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Title By Date
death wish [14 words]richard40Sep 17, 2012 18:41
"Slither" was a quote... [15 words]TangentmanSep 17, 2012 15:50
What color is the sky on your planet? [111 words]JustathoughtSep 17, 2012 01:08
I'm shocked [237 words]ChuckintheOCSep 17, 2012 00:37
Dan Senor is Jewish? [30 words]MoeSep 16, 2012 22:42
Please. [44 words]TlalocSep 16, 2012 18:12
Yes, if you are not willing shed American blood and money for Israel you might be an antisemite. [155 words]JagneelSep 16, 2012 16:53
thank you [20 words]m e raineySep 16, 2012 15:43
What do you expect from Dowd [23 words]Gary RosenSep 16, 2012 13:15
Dowd--Anti sementic? [70 words]paul boormanSep 16, 2012 13:11
Jesus' comments not antisemitic
[w/response] [59 words]
Jim NagleSep 16, 2012 07:27
Not defending Dowd [84 words]Jim NagleSep 16, 2012 16:55
"Snake" reference not antisemitic
[w/response] [141 words]
Jim NagleSep 16, 2012 07:12
I don't like this line of reasoning [141 words]WillSep 16, 2012 11:19
This argument is really a stretch [93 words]Diana P.Sep 16, 2012 16:12
⇒ I'm with you, Jim, but I understand the author's pov [223 words]ChuckintheOCSep 17, 2012 00:08
It's Projection [47 words]NadineSep 16, 2012 06:29
What, puppets are politically incorrect now? [63 words]Paul A'BargeSep 16, 2012 04:33
True Colors [11 words]TBlakelySep 16, 2012 04:33
A rap by M.T. Chair [23 words]PacRim JimSep 16, 2012 03:35

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