Noone displaced anyone. The UN resolution from 1948 was based mostly on the principle of majority. Where there were majority of Jews, that land was given to the Jews. Where there weren't, that land stayed out of the the territory of the state of Israel. Arab countries around didn't accept that, and started an all-out attack, where the new Israeli state was victorious at the end. I don't remember reading anywhere that Americans had any rights in America. But pilgrims started coming from Europe, conquered what was once the land of the "native Americans", and now you have a country named "The United States of America", which, in essence, is formed of immigrants from all over the world. Same happened in Israel, but for different reasons. Jews were hunted down and killed all over Europe and Africa. Anti-Semitism rasied its ugly head everywhere, during the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Where could the Jews turn to ? Israel was a baren wasteland, under Turkish power, then British mandate, so Jewish immigrants started coming, settling down (just like European settlers came to America few hundred years before), bought lands from whoever was here (mostly Turkish lands that the Turks just took for themselves, conquered), and that's how they became a majority in Israel. So yes, Jews deserve a country. Today there are more than 7 million people living in Israel, and approx. 80% of them are Jewish. I think that should settle that yes, Jews deserve a country, and yes, it should be Israel.
As to some people writing about Israel's firepower, and why Israel should have nuclear bombs and Iran shouldn't ... Israel has had the firepower to wipe off any country it wishes for 15-20 years now. But it didn't use that firepower. Iranian leader keeps on saying that "one of these days, Israel will be wiped off the map." That's a threat to the world. He's building nuclear ability with the purpose he's stating out loud - he wants to rid the world of Israel. Hitler stated in his book, already in 1923, what he wanted to do with the Jews of the world. But noone believed him, thought he was just a madman. I'd want to think the world has learned to take threats more seriously. Iran must be stopped.
I was raised Catholic ... served on the Altar from ages 6-19. Can't lay claim to being a scholar of the Bible ... or anyone else's Holy Book for that matter. But over the years, I've come to the realization that none of these Books were actually written by anyone's God, but rather, they represent the interpretations of the acts, statements and wishes of God as penned by MEN. These men, regardless of their holy stature, were still men ... humans ... possessed of all the human qualities of all men - compassion, love, greed, envy, ego, etc. And yet, subsequent generations have taken these written interpretations to so true and absolute, that these books have been used to justify murder, torture and cruelties - all in the name of God ... all in the name of God. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like 5 generations from now, if today the world burned all of these 'Holy Books' and all 'Holy Men' henceforth preached and taught ONLY the Golden Rule.
Unfortunately, your realization of what the bible is, is in direct contradiction to what the bible states. It seems to have led you away from the church, not to it. Enough said.
I grew up Catholic also. Spent time going to other chruches an am still a Catholic because of communion. I have come to another conclusion. Very few people are being taught the point of the old testament. What they get are soundbites. Back in Old testament times there were a lot of Gods. The core principle of the old testament is to realize who God is and that he keeps his promises. I do not care if you want to read it literally or figuratively. That is the point of the whole thing. God made promises to Abraham about his people. The Covenant. The question is did he keep those promises and the other promises that he made. If he did then you know who God is. Step up to the new testament. What promises has Jesus made? Does he keep them. Might you want to take hold of one of the promises and act on it? (which to me is real faith). If one accepts my premise as the point of the bible everything else falls into place. Does it help you to get to know God. Are you acting on a Promise. Everything else is academic.
That was rather dismissive, so I apoligize if I offended you. But - and let's not just pick on the Bible, for I mentioned ALL 'Holy Books' - was I wrong that they were written by mortal men ??... was I wrong that these man-written scriptures have been used to justify some pretty unacceptable behavior over the centuries (the present included) - all in the name of God ???
No dispute from me. But again, regardless of which or whose Book you reference ... they exist because a man/men put 'pen to paper'. My question is ... do we blindly believe in the absolute truth of each and every word they wrote without reservation because they were holy men and authors of their day any more than we would believe those in their positions today??? Or do we grant that God may have bestowed upon them some of the same human faults that we all possess ? Over time, so much blind faith has been given to what these scribes have written, that many have many have made to suffer in the name of God, ie: because they have written that God has commanded that non-believers must die. The Golden rule is much simpler, and I can't see anyone's God having a problem with it.