in spite of Israel's secular constitution, Orthodox Judaism plays a huge role in Israeli politics, even more so than Christianity does in the US. (At least, for the time being!) No Israeli government can rule without allying itself with Orthodox political parties, and many concessions are made to them, both social and political. Some sects, for example, are exempt from military service and Sabbath laws are still rigidly enforced. The religious justifications for occupation of Arab lands also help perpetuate the conflict with the Palestinians.
I believe that Israel has the right to occupy and fortify for purposes of security territory which was captured from their neighbors after those neighbors treacherously attacked them. But the settlement of those lands, justified by ancient biblical claims, especially when subsidized by the government, goes far beyond legitimate security concerns and makes future negotiations very difficult. The recent forced expulsion of settlers from these lands and all the attendant grief it has caused, is a problem which could have been easily avoided.
I agree Judaism is a culture as well as a religion, and it is probably the oldest continuously uninterrupted culture on the planet, one that has had an enormous influence on all humanity. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for that, but the religious mumbo-jumbo is just that. God does not care what we eat or whether or not we wear a hat.
Flame » in reply to Exactly. That's the flaw in SDAI's view
True, Buck, but...
The whole thread (40 posts)
- What if Israel had never existed?
- re: What if Israel had never existed?
- Then there would be full-blown war with North Korea or the USSR most likely.
- A related point with domestic implications.
- Similar post on Daily Kos