Posted on 10/20/2009 8:19:43 AM PDT by Yomin Postelnik
Two Republican county chairmen in South Carolina wrote an op-ed in support of one of our greatest Senators, Senator Jim DeMint. In their op-ed, they innocently used the argument of the frugality purportedly displayed by some Jews as a role model for sound economic policy. Their choice of words was open to misinterpretation, but their well meaning and intentions were not.
Democrats pounced on one line in the op-ed and even a great Jewish conservative organization, afraid of what this would do to Republican recruitment, wrongly chastised the writers. To be fair, the organization stated that the intentions behind the op-ed seemed fine, but that the wording was problematic. The trouble is, it’s only problematic if you grow up among Jews and know that saying “the Jews who became wealthy” sounds like a slur based on the way it’s been used by those who are less than friendly.
(Excerpt) Read more at canadafreepress.com ...
Sorry, it was more than a bad choice of words, it was just plain bad. I’m not a Jew who takes offense easily, but this one smacked me: there are just too many centuries of prejudice — and slaughter — behind the image of rich miserly Jews. My own ancestors were dirt poor for centuries, so I never knew what that was about. Also, the original saying they’re quoting was coined by Benjamin Franklin, and there’s not a mention of Jews anywhere in it. Goes like this: “Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.” Merwin and Ulmer did a great disservice to the message they were trying to get across.
My friend,
They’re both extremely pro-Jewish. They were praising frugality and used a common example that others have used in a negative light, but one that many others have praised as well. Their intent was clear and this is a disservice to them and to us as Jewish people.
“Extremely pro-Jewish”??
What are Merwin and Ulmer likely to respond were they to be asked as to whether or not Jews who do not receive Jesus as their personal lord and savior are permitted into Heaven when they die?
I think you mean “pro-Israel”. If they are Evangelical Christians - and, they most likely are, they have their own eschatological motives for being pro-Israel (Zechariah 13:8); but, it should not be confused with a love for the Jewish people. Simply a fulfillment of prophesy according to their particular religious worldview.
No, as a Jew and as a rationalist who can see the forest for the trees, I would not be to quick to defend them.
I am, however, glad they said what they did. It is better to have been made aware of their mindset, than to be left to walk too innocently into the voting booth unaware of it.
Very well said. I have a good friend, an evangelical Christian, who was always telling me how much she “loved the Jews.” Then one day she admitted that she prayed every day that I would embrace Jesus as my personal savior, and couldn’t understand why I thought that those prayers were evidence of anything but love for the Jews.
Too true, hunter75.
Why do you think that is the case?
Sorry, didn’t make clear what I was asking about — was referring to a post on another thread — about why so high a percentage of Jews went for Obama.
The attributes you ascribe to them are way off and the piece was actually complimentary if only read in its proper (and clear) context. I’m not going to debate theology. Judaism is unique in that it preaches that Non-Jews have a place in heaven if they believe in G-d and follow certain basic precepts (no adultery, idolatry, cruelty, etc.). Some Christian doctrines do as well, but the main thing is how they view and treat people. Many Christians risked their lives for Jews. Sure, Jews know to risk their lives to save innocents, but that does not detract from the many devout Christians who’ve done so also.
With regard to this piece, their words and their intent was clear - and neither was offensive. If they wrote, “like the many Native Americans who make beautiful artwork” would you take offense? They were praising frugality in the column.
Please tell me how praying that someone accept the beliefs that the person praying holds dear - even though we disagree with those beliefs based on intense study of Scripture - is harmful in any way.
I really hope you rethink your sensitivity. If we understand why we believe what we believe, why in the world should we be offended when someone prays that we accept something else that they think is right? It doesn’t mean that we should be motivated to do what they want or that their interpretation of TaNaCh are now viewed as correct. But the intentions are certainly not malicious - In fact, quite the contrary.
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