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November 27, 1998/ 8 Kislev 5759, Vol. 51, No. 10
Letters to the Editor11/27/1998
Bible Week is too much about exclusionEditor:Regarding the local controversy over Bible Week proclamations, President Thomas May of the National Bible Association was incorrect when he alleged in a published remark that "if they understood what we were doing and why we were doing it, then the whole thing would go away." Research into the National Bible Association and its supporting organizations has revealed that the Arizona Civil Liberties Union's claim that Bible Week proclamations were "exclusionary" also applies to the subtle methods and tactics employed by the association. The National Bible Association's core definition of the Bible leaves no room for Jews. While their Web site offers five English translations of the Bible, all of them are Christian ones. None of the Jewish translations based on the Masoretic text are presented. Why is that? The simple answer is that the correct Hebrew translations of the so-called "Old Testament" would call into question fundamental Christian beliefs. This year's inaugural luncheon for the National Bible Association on Nov. 20 in New York honored Dr. Bill Bright, founder and president of the Campus Crusade for Christ. He was presented with the association's "Lifetime Achievement Reward." This is the same organization, with chapters at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, that in the past has targeted Jewish students for conversion. They had identified Jewish students living in dormitories and sent out teams of Campus Crusade missionaries to isolate them in their rooms and try to convert them to Christianity. It was only when Rabbi Barton Lee of the ASU Hillel foundation protested to the university administration that these practices were stopped. Thomas May claimed that there were Jewish members of his organization. If true, those people must have choked on the luncheon when the Campus Crusade was honored. What is more likely is that May is referring to the so-called "Jews for Jesus" groups composed largely of alienated Jews and those who had little training in their own religious background. If any observant Jew is involved with this group, then this controversy should help show them how they are being duped and they should immediately resign. The Arizona Republic thankfully has been selective in not printing the anti-Semitic Christian reaction letters against those who oppose the Bible Week proclamations. However, Tribune Newspapers has allowed a number of them to creep into their columns and present a level of hatred usually associated with the Middle Ages. Thus, self-righteous Christians have suggested that "there would be no opposition if it was called Torah Week," and that the Jews "continually attack Christians." However, the historical record for 2,000 years argues just the opposite. Nazi-like threats were also made in the Tribune that if the Jews persisted in their opposition to "Bible Week," their businesses would be boycotted: "If you want to protest Bible Week, that's your right, and if we want to boycott your businesses, that's our right," said one letter writer. If this is an example of the alleged "ethical and moral standards" that would be furthered by Bible Week, then our society is really in trouble. The notion that democracy allows majority dominance over minorities has been shown to lead to disaster. Do remember that Hitler was democratically chosen by the majority of Germans. They too boycotted Jewish businesses. Perhaps the next state or mayoral proclamation will make Arizona or Gilbert "Judenrein" (free of Jews). Instead of "Bible Week," the governor and mayors should proclaim "Tolerance Week." Dr. Gordon M. Weiner Professor emeritus of history Arizona State University East Valley residents speak out on Bible Week controversyEditor:This effort to bring Bible Week to Gilbert (Jewish News, Nov. 20) reminds us of living in central Ohio 10 years ago in a very quiet, rural and wooded community. One day we received a flier in the mail from a nearby elementary school announcing, "Finally, Bible study in public schools!" It then went on to explain how two hours would be set aside every Friday to study the New Testament. When we phoned the principal, asking how he managed to accomplish this since it was during school time, he went on, very proudly, to explain how he worked with a local church to create this situation without violating any laws. When asked how he would deal with a non-Christian who might not wish to participate, the principal pointed out, "There are no non-Christians in our school." When asked how he would handle a hypothetical situation involving a Jewish child, he responded with, "That person can just stay behind in the classroom and play or do homework for two hours." We expressed our concern about how easily that could alienate a 5-year-old - when 26 children walk back into a classroom after two hours of Bible study to find this one child refusing to participate. He would certainly be seen as different (or worse, Godless) and the child would not have the skills to understand or explain his differences. This could be devastating in such a small community. The principal was becoming a little testy when he went on with, "Let's face it. This is a Christian world. If that Jewish child is to get along and understand this world, he needs to know about Christianity. It sure won't hurt him to study God's Word." We asked him if time would be given to study "God's Word" as revealed to prophets/founders of other religions. It must have been right about now when it occurred to the principal that the people asking these questions might not be Christian. He excused himself and hung up. We have numerous friends in Gilbert and Mesa whose children are shunned by their peers on a daily basis - without being separated every Friday. They are not shunned because they come from families of criminals or heretics. They are shunned because they follow the Old Testament rather than the New. Their experiences (as young children) of such intolerance will only be worsened with laws that require them to read or merely respect the New Testament. They already respect the New Testament. There is no need for a proclamation or legislation to remind them of the beauty and sanctity of all religious beliefs. They have learned to cherish the concept of freedom of religion and are taught to thank God their religion has survived the Inquisition, the Holocaust, and those who knock on our doors every week reminding us we are bound for eternal damnation if we do not change our religious beliefs. Our leaders are not fools. They know that making these proclamations cannot and should not be within the realm of government. From a more cynical perspective, regardless of their own moral or religious beliefs, they know such proclamations will guarantee winning the next election race they enter. The ACLU is not the bad guy. They are not attempting to lead the charge of the politically correct. They are doing their best to make sure the minority isn't expected to sit in the corner for two hours every Friday. Why not just have a World Religions Week? A week designed and designated by our religious community, not our government? There are plenty of non-tax supported grounds to house such events. There might even be a fair amount of individual and corporate support for such an effort. Instead of a proclamation that reads " ...strengthen the spiritual understanding throughout our nation by encouraging personal reading of the Bible," how about a proclamation from our religious community that states "...strengthen the spiritual understanding throughout our nation by encouraging the study of world religions." Let us recognize and respect the beauty of all paths leading back to God, and let us do so without government. Let us develop greater tolerance of those with the same goals but different means of achieving those goals. After all, Republicans are interested in less rather than more government, and Democrats have never expressed much interest in legislating morality. Could it be both are right? Cass and Nellie Foster Tempe (Via the Internet) Editor: This is a fight we cannot lose, and if we do it will be on their heads, not ours. We should fight this recent court ruling and allow Bible Week to continue in our country. I belief if the right-wing conservative Christians were in power, they would strengthen our cause. I am a moderate Judeo-Christian who believes that Bible Week should continue in our state. Our Governor (Jane) Hull should not agree to opponents' demands and should allow Bible Week to continue. And these anti-Jewish bigots who make threatening phone calls (against Bible Week opponents) are no better than self-righteous Nazis. Paul Andrew Haried Mesa (Via the Internet) |
