Israeli Parlaiment Member Rips Up New Testament

NC Register ^ | July 19, 2012 | Patrick Archbold

[NYer]

Remember a while back when some Florida pastor with a bad mustache and worse manners threatened and then ultimately burned a Koran? I am sure you do. It had plenty of two things, media coverage and body count.

There is another story that is likely to have neither of those things, mercifully. The Bible Society in Israel sent some copies of the New Testament to members of the Israeli Knesset with a note that said "We hope the book will help you and illuminate your way.” MK Michael Ben Ari, with better facial hair than the aforementioned Florida Pastor but equally poor manners, made a show of ripping it up in front of the press.Well then. Mr. Ben Ari suggests his act was some sort of reciprocity over the Inquisition, or something.  Yeah, the Inquisition.

“This abominable book (the New Testament) galvanized the murder of millions of Jews during the Inquisition and during auto da fe instances,” Ben Ari said adding that “Sending the book to MK's is a provocation. There is no doubt that this book and all it represents belongs in the garbage can of history.”

Millions of Jews killed in the inquisition? No, not millions, not even close. Yet even one is too many. It seems that those who do not know their history are condemned to make it up.

No doubt, Jews have suffered at the hands of Christians over the centuries and that is certainly reprehensible. Actually, over the centuries almost every group has suffered at the hands of another, that is our lot. Who we see as the bad guy often depends upon who is playing the scary music on cue during the re-telling.

[NYer]

Mr. Ben Ari ripping up the New Testament.

[lightman]

The Tridentine Rite Good Friday prayers called them “the perfidious Jews” for a reason.

[Mercat]

Years ago I did a divorce for a woman who was married to a Muslim. They had only been married a short time and there were no kids and no property. He had some personal items and asked that she turn them over to me to give to him. He especially mentioned his Koran. His duffel bag showed up with a few dirty clothes, the Koran and what must have been the contents of a well used kitty litter box. I made sure I wasn’t there when he picked it up.

[American in Israel]

As a Christian who lived in Israel for about 10 years, I can think of pretty much nothing more offensive than this move on the Israeli Knesset. It happens to be illegal to prostlize in Israel. The Kenesset has moved to block some actions by Jewish groups against Christians before. Real stupid move that will set back Christian relations decades. There will be very bad consequences for this.

[svcw]

And what?
It’s just ink and paper, it is not God, it is not God’s Word destroyed.
What was the point?

[montag813]

It must have taken a long time to kill "millions" using the dreaded 'Comfy Chair' (and the 'Soft Cushions'!)

[the invisib1e hand]

I don’t recall the guy in Florida having bad manners.

[lightman]

The softer version of the petition (as adapted for the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978) prays that the Jewish people "might arrive with us at the fulness of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We want them to be saved through the only Savior.

[the invisib1e hand]

ping me when the Pope orders a fatwa.

[AppyPappy]

And a yawn came up from the audience. Maybe he’ll tear up a Koran next.

[Drango]

Christians don’t hold the bible to be defiled by tearing it up, burning it, stomping on it or throwing it at liberals.

My Catholic brothers sometimes get in a tizzy when a communion host is abused, but for the most part, Christians just roll their eyes and realize the Word of God isn’t about a physical object.

[Praxeologue]

Real stupid move that will set back Christian relations decades. There will be very bad consequences for this.

It's all relative, isn't it? The lowest that Christians and Jews stoop is to tear up a book or spit at someone. Under Islam, however, heads and other limbs are chopped off.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Sorry?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

OMG!! The Christians are going to be rioting, murdering Jews and burning their shops!!!

Oh wait...

[Bryanw92]

The book was just a prop. His comments should be the real story: “This abominable book (the New Testament) galvanized the murder of millions of Jews during the Inquisition and during auto da fe instances,”

That abominable book he is talking about IS the Word of God. That abominable book is the call for all humanity, and not just a chosen nation, to accept the full measure of God’s Grace. That’s why he says that it’s abominable.

[Jacob Kell]

The action strikes me as a expression of disrespect and contempt towards Christianity. Ben-Ari could have simply sent the book back to the missionary groups and said “Thanks, but I’m not interested”.

[publius911]

Ben-Ari could have simply sent the book back to the missionary groups and said “Thanks, but I’m not interested”.

I'm looking forward to see him do that when someone sends him a copy of the quran to save him from the evil world.

[jjotto]

...could have simply sent the book back to the missionary groups and said “Thanks, but I’m not interested”

Just like everyone should do when they receive a Koran in the mail.