Air Force Academy Evangelism Isn't the Problem

Shutting Up Airmen Isn't Kosher: Mikey Weinstein, a 1977 graduate of the Air Force Academy, has filed a lawsuit attempting to force the academy to halt proselytizing and evangelism on duty based on the doctrine of the separation of church and state. (Colorado Springs Gazette, 11/9/2005) Some Christian groups counterpunch that they have a First Amendment right to share their beliefs with others. Aside from the constitutional issues at play, Weinstein is right to worry about how Jews and other non-Christians are treated at the academy but wrong about focusing on evangelism. As someone who practices Judaism, I am not offended when someone else shares how accepting Christ as their personal savior changed their life. Nor do I expect them to be offended when I share the joy I feel when I keep kosher. True, evangelism can turn into bullying--I could be called a Christ-killer, a Christian could be called an infidel, an atheist may be told she is bound for hell, etc.--and such uncouth behavior needs to be discouraged for the sake of corps cohesion.

However, the academy should not solve its perceived problem of intolerance by shoving religion in the closet. To the contrary, the problem for Jews is not Christian evangelism but systemic intolerance of the actual practice of Judaism. If Jewish airmen do not have regular access to kosher meals, if they are not supported in their attempts to properly observe shabbat and Jewish holidays (made instead to attend football games on Yom Kippur), how can the academy be accused of anything but intolerance? I suspect that Moslem airmen might have the same type of complaint.

The Academy needs to support religious cadets, not force them underground. For evangelical Christians, this may mean being able to share their faith in appropriate settings. For Jews, this may mean being able to work with a rabbi to find ways to excel at the academy without compromising religious observance. Email me your comments.

Spanish-Language Book on Noahide Laws

Now Available: Los Siete Colores del Arco Iris, an authorized Spanish translation of Seven Colors of the Rainbow: Torah Ethics for Non-Jews is now available as an E-book through Schueller House.

Another Example of the Double-Standard

... and of Politically Correct Anti-Judaism: How is it that Palestinians can deliberately insuslt a world religion--by burning down building formerly used as Jewish synagogues--and not be criticized for it? If someone--anyone--burned down a building used as a mosque, would they be immune from criticism? Email me your comments.

The World's Double-Standard

Questions that should be asked: The unilateral removal of Jews from Gaza by the Israeli government raises these questions. Why is assumed, by virtually the entire world ("the nations") and apparently by much of Israel itself, that there must be a Palestinian state and that this same state will be for Arabs only and that Jews will neither be welcome nor safe there? At the same time, the Jewish state of Israel already accepts non-Jewish citizens, including Arabs, and has since its inception. Moreover, this same state is expected to allow free access by Palesitinians into its borders for work, for worship, and for pleasure. Will Jews be allowed access to a future Palestinian state for work, for worship (to Jewish shrines), for pleasure? I would propose that no one support the existence of a Palestinian state unless and until Palestinian leaders commit not only to the existence of the state of Israel but can assure Israel that they will extend the same treatment to Jews with a Palestinian state that Israel extends to Arabs within Israel. Support for a Palestinian state absent such conditions seems to me evidence of pig-headed ignorance of the double standard being applied to Israel and the Palestinian entity and, almost certainly, Jew-hatred hiding in an international mask. Email me your comments.

Marry, Marry, Quite Contrary

Of no consequence? The legalization of same-sex marriages across the 50 states, if permitted to stand, will have many intended and unintended consequences. Many of these potential consequences are already in the works. First, civil marriage will become completely separated from child-rearing (a consequence generally intended by advocates). Second, the courts will have no legal or principled basis for upholding prohibitions against polygamous, incestuous, and group marriages. In addition, there will be pressure to permit marriages within all age groups, including adults and children. Third, because "marriage" will become a way of accessing financial benefits, said financial benefits will eventually become too burdensome to continue and everybody will lose them (a move which will have the virtue of being both financially responsible and fair). Fourth, as a corollary, marriage as a civil institution will all but disappear and become strictly a religious institution (not an altogether bad outcome, in theory). Fifth, and this is what makes consequence #4 problematical, the gay lobby will seek to define opposition to same-sex marriage and negative comments about homosexual behavior as a hate crime. This concept will be applied with particular vigor against religious institutions, which will be challenged legally to provide for same sex marriages no matter what their interpretation of the Christian bible, Torah, or the Koran. Sixth, schools will be required to take a "balanced" view toward marriage, with equal provisions for marriage in all of its perturbations in textbooks, libraries, and student clubs. Seventh, adoption agencies will be prohibited from showing favoritism to heterosexual married couples or indeed to couples at all. Seventh, the tactic of calling whoever doesn't agree with you a "bigot" and a "[whatever]phobic," having proven itself, will be become a prized weapon in the war against faith-based communities. Email your comments.

Kosher on the Road

Question from our Schueller House Website: "How do I find kosher restaurants in each state. We are taking a car trip." (Elaine R.). The easiest way anymore (though it takes some work) is to get on the internet and search. There are various sites that list kosher restaurants (and synagogues, etc.) by state. They aren't all comprehensive or up-to-date, but you can do better on the internet than looking in a book. Seder Olam is an Israeli site that covers the world, including the U.S. Shamash is another well-known site. Happy trails. Email me from home or on the road.

Put Some Clothes on Already.

Too much naked truth: The Orthodox Jewish community taught me the importance of clothing. Dressing modestly and well shows respect for those you interact with. This is a notion that deserves wider distribution. Even in Colorado Springs, which has a reputation for buttoned-down conservatism, people seem to dress mainly to show off their tattoos. And given where they're putting their tattoos these days, things are getting pretty ugly out there. Email me your comment or add one below.