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March 10, 2000/3 Adar II 5760, Vol. 52, No.27
Junk food, Christian dogma make discomforting mix
GREG BLUESTEIN
Special to Jewish News
My entire life, I thought that although there are proselytizing Christian groups aiming to convert Jews to "their way," they have no intention of attempting to sway such a strong Jew as myself. My friends know that although I may not be devoutly religious, I strongly identify as a Jew. I've worked for the past three years at my synagogue, Congregation B'nai Torah in Atlanta, and spent summers working at Camp Barney Medintz. I've been an active participant in other Jewish activities and youth groups.
But, like my forefathers, sooner or later, my faith would be tested.
I had been attending Young Life (a non-denominational Christian youth group) meetings for the past few months. After refusing to go to these meetings last year, I gave in due to my love for hot wings, which the leaders provide free of charge. From day one, I made clear that I was Jewish.
There were other non-Christians there. The leaders rarely, if ever, mentioned God or Jesus, speaking only of the importance of interconnectedness. The leaders often sought me out to ask questions about the Jewish perspective on certain issues.
I went to Young Life's Open Mike nights, creating crazy skits (many alluding to my Jewish beliefs). At the end of each show, one of the leaders would come up to the stage and talk about the importance of faith and soul, but still not pushing religion. The leaders, all under 30, could relate to us teens in a way our teachers and parents could not.
But, today, my love affair with Young Life ended. One of the leaders made the real intentions of the group clear. After a talent show, a new leader stood in front of the religiously diverse crowd of 23 (including five Jews, a Hindu and a few atheists) and preached that the intent of all Christian groups is to "win people over" to Christ. He continued by saying it is Young Life's intent to win teens over into the grand cycle, so we can convert other "disillusioned" teens.
This leader compared non-Christians to poor, misinformed cars unknowingly plunging to their watery graves. These "cars" were apparently unaware that their bridge to heaven was broken, ignoring "good Christians" who are trying to guide people to "the only way."
As Jews, we must prepare ourselves for the conversion tactics used by these crusaders. We must stand resolute. This onslaught is being played out in every school in America, as Christian groups such as Young Life continue to grow stronger.
Our people have survived persecution, injustice and prejudice and have outlasted the Persian, Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and most recently, German empires. Yet aside from proselytizing, the greatest threat is now within our own people. Assimilation continues to erode the Jewish population base, and squabbling among us has managed to separate many Jews into contentious factions. In order to survive the newer, more subliminal threats that confront our people daily, it is imperative we have a united front.
I left that last Young Life meeting with a clear conscience and firm resolve.
Before I left, I approached the new leader. "I've got to go now," I told him. "I've got some bridges to mend."
Greg Bluestein is a high school student in Atlanta, Ga.
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