The phrase Judeo-Christian tradition often surfaces in the that are currently tearing American society apart. It is presented by its advocates as representing authentic American virtues. American society, according to them, is being torn apart by those who spurn this tradition.
There was an interesting exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum a few years ago on images of the various religions. It showed that Christianity spread in the Roman and Greek Worlds by changing statues of Jupiter etc. to statues of Jesus. Hence, Christianity is a hybrid of Judaism and Paganism, just as Sikhism is Hinduism influenced by Islam, some Hindus have Buddha as one of their gods etc. In England I think of those Christians who emphasise their Jewish origins, their old testament and encourage moral behaviour as following a Judeo-Christian tradition, while those who emphasise the virgin birth, death on a cross and resurrection, as not following that tradition. The latter often talk about Israeli occupation of Bethlehem at Christmas, and Pharisees and Sadducees at Easter.
Very interesting. I agree with your comment that it should be Judeo-Christian-Muslim ethics. The Muslims also claim to be the children of Abraham. I had two colleagues, one a male Jordanian Muslim and the other an Israeli Jew. They called themselves cousins, and had no animosity towards each other.
It is interesting that the oldest known example of Hebrew writing in on a potshard. However, a Professor at Hebrew University said, ancient Canaanite and ancient Hebrew are so similar it is difficult to know which it is. That may indicate that the Israeli and Canaanites stem from the same common ancestor.
In the Old Testament, at least the Christian version, says God told the Israelites to go to the land of the Canaanites and kill all of the people, all of their animals and cut down all of their trees. At that time the Israelite did not seem to recognize the Canaanites as their cousins. Thanks heaven some standard of behavior in the Old Testament have dropped along the wayside.
Harry, I've always had the impression over here that politicians use "Judeo-Christian" to dodge accusations of bigotry, or of violating church-state separation, or to avoid (in their minds) offending Jewish voters. Otherwise, most would be hardpressed to explain Christianity or Judaism, much less the similarities and differences between them. You might be interested in this piece from NPR. The reporter qualifies the point you make about Jewish views on abortion by referring to Agudath Israel of America's support for the Supreme Court's ruling, without explaining how many people Agudath Israel represent, and that they are a Haredi, not modern Orthodox, group: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107722531/some-jewish-groups-blast-the-end-of-roe-as-a-violation-of-their-religious-belief
I see in this article that you also use anti-Semitic to mean Anti-Jew. But Arabs are also a Semitic people. If an Arab is anti-Semitic he is Anti-Jew and Anti-Arab.
The Semitic people are the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyirans, Akkadians, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.
Anyone who is anti-Semitic is anti all of these people.
I see in this article that you also use anti-Semitic to mean Anti-Jew. But Arabs are also a Semitic people. If an Arab is anti-Semitic he is Anti-Jew and Anti-Arab.
The Semitic people are the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyirans, Akkadians, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.
Anyone who is anti-Semitic is anti all of these people.
Excellent piece
There was an interesting exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum a few years ago on images of the various religions. It showed that Christianity spread in the Roman and Greek Worlds by changing statues of Jupiter etc. to statues of Jesus. Hence, Christianity is a hybrid of Judaism and Paganism, just as Sikhism is Hinduism influenced by Islam, some Hindus have Buddha as one of their gods etc. In England I think of those Christians who emphasise their Jewish origins, their old testament and encourage moral behaviour as following a Judeo-Christian tradition, while those who emphasise the virgin birth, death on a cross and resurrection, as not following that tradition. The latter often talk about Israeli occupation of Bethlehem at Christmas, and Pharisees and Sadducees at Easter.
Very interesting. I agree with your comment that it should be Judeo-Christian-Muslim ethics. The Muslims also claim to be the children of Abraham. I had two colleagues, one a male Jordanian Muslim and the other an Israeli Jew. They called themselves cousins, and had no animosity towards each other.
It is interesting that the oldest known example of Hebrew writing in on a potshard. However, a Professor at Hebrew University said, ancient Canaanite and ancient Hebrew are so similar it is difficult to know which it is. That may indicate that the Israeli and Canaanites stem from the same common ancestor.
In the Old Testament, at least the Christian version, says God told the Israelites to go to the land of the Canaanites and kill all of the people, all of their animals and cut down all of their trees. At that time the Israelite did not seem to recognize the Canaanites as their cousins. Thanks heaven some standard of behavior in the Old Testament have dropped along the wayside.
Regards,
William McCreight
Harry, I've always had the impression over here that politicians use "Judeo-Christian" to dodge accusations of bigotry, or of violating church-state separation, or to avoid (in their minds) offending Jewish voters. Otherwise, most would be hardpressed to explain Christianity or Judaism, much less the similarities and differences between them. You might be interested in this piece from NPR. The reporter qualifies the point you make about Jewish views on abortion by referring to Agudath Israel of America's support for the Supreme Court's ruling, without explaining how many people Agudath Israel represent, and that they are a Haredi, not modern Orthodox, group: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107722531/some-jewish-groups-blast-the-end-of-roe-as-a-violation-of-their-religious-belief
Hello Harry,
I see in this article that you also use anti-Semitic to mean Anti-Jew. But Arabs are also a Semitic people. If an Arab is anti-Semitic he is Anti-Jew and Anti-Arab.
The Semitic people are the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyirans, Akkadians, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.
Anyone who is anti-Semitic is anti all of these people.
Regards,
William McCreight
Hello Harry,
I see in this article that you also use anti-Semitic to mean Anti-Jew. But Arabs are also a Semitic people. If an Arab is anti-Semitic he is Anti-Jew and Anti-Arab.
The Semitic people are the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyirans, Akkadians, Canaanites, and Phoenicians.
Anyone who is anti-Semitic is anti all of these people.
Regards,
William McCreight