I sat for about ten minutes this morning trying to decide how I was going to reply to some of this latest. Started a post in a few different ways and deleted them. Worked on a few different points and deleted them. Nothing came that didn't have a hidden edge of sarcastic anger to it. I'm done with that game. So this is it.
I agree with what you say, this is why I reject the doctrine of original sin - you have to do some creative reading of the bible to come up with that particular doctrine, rather than the doctrine that everyone is accountable for their own actions and not for the sins of another.
This is the common but inaccurate understanding of the recent history. First of all, some Jews remained in the Middle East, including in "Palestine" for thousands of years. In addition, there was a large migration of Jews in the early 1800s. Palestine in the early 20th century was a sparsely populated, barren wasteland. And after WWII, the UN and Britain allowed the Jews to live in but a portion of "Palestine" (which was Trans-Jordan). Israel, which even now is a tiny, postage stamp country, was then only 1/3 of its current size. But the other Arabs, who have a long history of oppression against religious minorities, not only refused to allow any Jewish entity to exist in the Middle East. They encouraged the Muslims leaving around what was then Israel to leave, and they attacked. The "Palestinians" that stayed are now citizens of Israel. Meanwhile, while up to half a million Palestinians left before or at the beginning of the war, yet even more Jewish refugees than that moved into Israel from the other Arab Jews. These sephardic Jews had been oppressed on and off for thousands of years, and they were being massacred upon Israel's partition. Since then, Israel has tripled its size (and the number of "Palestinians" in land it occupies, through multiple defensive wars. Hence, Israel did NOT take back the land "by force, nor did it steal the land from people who themselves were essentially drifters. A good book to read and really learn about the politics and history of modern Israel is Myths & Facts.
You know WIlliam Buckley, a brilliant man that I respect even though I disagree with him on many issues, announced that he was writing a book about his religious experience and all things associated with it. He started the book but never finished. He eventually gave up.
Missed the Boat, I don't think Tripacks explanation was meant to be "of the recent history". It was of biblical history (if that is not a contradiction in terms). It is the story of the land. Your explanation is of course an accurate telling of recent history. Documentable. Good post, Rs7
Actually, with all due respect I don't think he did, but your point is right. I think GG has given logical posts, but too many of his statements are absolutes (which I actually think he knows).
(1)You could be right....I am hardly a scholar of the bible. I did think that was how the story went. But since it is all fable, I guess it isn't really important. (2)Logical maybe. But like you said, full of "absolutes" about things no one can know for sure. I don't disagree with his beliefs, I disagree with his shooting from the hip. I would rather read a post by Darkhorse and completely disagree with what he says. Because I know I will LEARN something from him. Even if it is only how he comes to his conclusions. Valid or not. GG just seems to argue for the sake of argument. Or to be inflammatory. rs7
lol yes, you are right. rs7, i think you may be taking me too seriously..but anyway....... SOMEONE PLEASE ADDRESS THIS QUESTION BY AXEMAN: