Rabbi's Refreshing Frankness: Raising Kids in Two Religions "Insane"

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

December 23, 2005 - 08:40

What the Today show probably intended as a warm-'n-fuzzy holiday segment just veered wildly off course when a rabbi spoke some unvarnished truth.

The topic was "December Dilemma: Interfaith Holdidays," and dealt with the issue of celebrating the holidays in families with children where the parents are of different religions.

Footage was played of a family with a Jewish wife, a Christian husband and a couple of very cute daughters. They were predictably shown admiring both a menorah and a Christmas tree.

Back in the studio, David Gregory interviewed "The God Squad," Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman, who for years have made joint appearances to discuss religious matters.

When Gregory asked the rabbi if there was anything wrong with bringing the children of mixed marriages up in some kind of combo religion, I had the feeling he was anticipating [as was I], a PC response. Instead, he got a shot of candor right between the eyes:

"[Kids] have to know how to answer when asked [as to their religion] 'what are you?' If they answer 'both,' that's answering that Jesus is and isn't the Messiah, that Christmas is and isn't the birth of the Savior. That's insane. That's crazy. And it shouldn't be put on a child to have to make those kinds of decisions."

Bravo, Rabbi!

[Nonstatist]

I think that many of the Jewish "leaders" fill the young ones with such distrust and such paranoia

Especially retelling stories about Cossacks in 1890 Russia decimating entire Jewish villages of all Jewish males over the age of 12, and raping their women, while carrying around large crosses. And other "stories" like that.

[chris1]

You are right. I always think of the story of Jesus turning over the tables at the temple in terms of what he would to today.

I believe firmly that were he here today doing the same things, many of those who claim to be the most religious and righteous would scorn him and cast him away just as when he was here.

[rcocean]

Thanks for your replies.

Looks like we'll have to agree to disagree.

[meowmeow]

Let me ask you a question - a serious one - there are probably well over a billion people who have never ever even heard of Christ, and billions and billions and billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

A perfectly logical question that I would be happy to try to answer in a way that actually makes sense. I need to look up a couple key scriptures that address that so I'll have to wait until I get home. But I will get back to you chris1.

[Seamoth]

I agree with what you're saying, but don't go overboard in condemning your Catholic friends...

Romans 14:6
Romans 12:3-8

[pabianice]

We celebrate Hanukmas (c). Every night for eight nights we set the tree on fire. The last few nights it's a bitch to light. And it really toasts the ceiling. But the holidays are worth it!

[Lester Moore]

Keep in mind that I am no theologian, only a Christian that has done a little investigation.

There is place, somewhere between Heaven and Hell, let's call it limbo.

...Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan.

Can you provide the Scriptural support you found in your investigation for people going to 'limbo'?

My Bible tells me that Satan is going to hell. What exactly did you find in the Bible to cause you to believe, "Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan."?

[onedoug]

I'm jewish, I celebrate chanukah and I KNOW that Jesus IS the messiah!

I'm not Jewish, I celebrate chanukah, read Torah and I know that he isn't.

Baruch Hashem!

[Jeff Chandler]

...Cossacks in 1890 Russia decimating entire Jewish villages of all Jewish males over the age of 12, and raping their women, while carrying around large crosses.

That would be "Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.", would it not?

[Aquinasfan]

Bravo, Rabbi!

Wow! A Today Show "Holiday Shocker"!

Typically what seems to happen with these couples is that religion is never considered until the kids come along. Why should they think about religion? Everything they learn in school and from the media is that it isn't very important, at least in comparison to career, looks and compatibility.

[Aquinasfan]

why then is it alright if God raises his children in thousands of different denominations, sects, etc.?

Divergence of religious belief is a result of The Fall. We have fallen intellects and wills.

However, unlike us, God can work everything to the good for those who trust in Him.

[Aquinasfan]

I hate the holiday season because all of the holier than thou/ I know better than anyone else/ my religion is better than yours/ people are on full display.

Don't you hate it when people make sweeping generalizations and judgements?

[Blessed]

>Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan.<

There are no second chances after death.I don't know where you got this mumbo jumbo but it isn't a part of orthodox Christianity.

[Aquinasfan]

nowhere in the Bible does Jesus call for a Holy Roman Catholic Church with Saints and rituals entirely of mans' creation.

Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus call for the writing of the New Testament. Go figure.

Catholic.com

[chris1]

What do those stories have to do with a crucifix in someone's home?

[chris1]

So what about people who lived ten thousand years ago?????

[Aquinasfan]

So what about people who lived ten thousand years ago?????

What about them?

[JAKraig]

billions more who came before us and never heard of Christ, where do they go and are they "saved"?????

What a good question. Of all questions you could answer about Christianity this is probably the most difficult for many people. How could a nice child of nice parents born in a time and place where they never had the opportunity to hear about, much less accept Christ, be dammed to Hell?

I have always thought that The New Testament, 1st Peter 3:15-20 answered this:

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
19 through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison
20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Now I am not a Christian scholar by a long shot. I have read The Holy Bible and have some ideas about what it says to me.

Christ went and preached to those people in Prison for some reason. Why would he go and try to convert them if they could not be saved.

Could God possibly love me more than someone born in another time and place that never had the chance to know The Savior of the world? I think not. I'm not special!

I really think those that don't get the chance in this life will have the opportunity in the next life to accept The Savior, just like I did in this life.

I expect that those that had the chance in this life but rejected it may have a more difficult time of it, I feel sorry for them.

[chris1]

If you are not one of those people, you should not take offense.

[Blessed]

>Everyone will be given a chance, even Satan.<

I could give you all kinds of scripture on this but that would not solve your problem.A Christian is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.That means he has submitted to God's Soveriegnty.

Questions like what about these people etc. are about trying to conform God to your beliefs and making him submit to you.Until you encounter Christ and place yourself in his hands completely you will just be throwing up arguments that aren't new to God.