Egypt opens its border with Palestine, breaking the siege of Gaza

[ag]

do you think the majority of Palestinians believe Israel has a right to exist?!  heck, even a majority of Arab-Israelis dont believe that:

Why wouldn't you try making this symmetric. Many, if not most Israelis don't even believe Palestinians exist: they think it's an anti-semitic plot. And the don't make any exception for Christian Palestinians - I am surprised you care so little for your own brethren in Jesus )))

[ag]

(though I do find it odd that you were attempting to categorize my Godhead beliefs when it sounds like you're basically saying you're a nonbeliever...that would be like me attempting to classify a cricket player when I'm not even a fan of the game.)

Do you realize, that by failing to delete the name in quoting Liberte, you've committed, from an orthodox Jewish standpoint, a crime, for which there can be only one punishment: death by stoning? The learned rabbis would grant it, that under current circumstances it might be impractical to execute you, but they are in agreement that you should be?

Though, of course, the very fact that you celebrate Sabbath, while being Christian, is grounds for the same punishment.

[ag]

Poor jmfsct. From the standpoint of most Christians, he is a sworn enemy of Christianity. From the standpoint of pretty much all Jews, he is a sworn enemy of the Jews. And he is trying so hard to be nice to both ))

[ag]

i dont observe the 7th day sabbath, unless i am witnessing to someone who does, as I did with my wife over the 18 month period I was dating her

Ah, ok. As long as you work on Sundays you are fine ) But then, those 18 months.... tough. Still, it pales in comparison with the obvious fact that you didn't delete the name ))))

[ag]

Again, I ask:

Also, to play on your terms, I'll note that Yahweh punished Israel constantly in the Old Testament. Why should we assume they haven't merited His wrath, should He exist?

He thinks the rapture's nigh )))

[ag]

and you might was well stop trying to shake me up, I'm shake proof.  

My dear jmfsct ) I am not trying to shake you up - I am just mightily amused ))

Though, of course, it is a useful point to make that from the Israeli standpoint you are a tribal enemy, but a useful fool at the same time. Just so that you understand Israelis better, when you encounter them.

I know, you don't care - you do this because of your Faith. Since I am a non-believer, I am quite ok w/ that, as you can imagine )))))) In fact, if anything, I prefer your godly selflessness to Israeli tribalism. But the way you go about this is still mightily amusing ))))

[ag]

Sunday?  first, my girlfriend was observing the Jewish Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday....and I've never considered Sunday a Sabbath..

The capital crime is to celebrate anything that's like a Jewish Sabbath: very much like in the moderate gay marriage debate )) A gentile is not supposed to rest every 7 days. Though, there is an exception for those, who, without fully converting, renounce their false beliefs: if you renounce Jesus Christ, you still might avoid being stoned.

Though, of course, it has long been conceded that in the current sad circumstances the proper punishments can't be effected )))

[ag]

are you saying the Jews would force nonJews to follow Judaism?

No, the non-Jews shouldn't follow Judaism. It's enough that they renounce their false believes and in exchange they would be given a semi-decent treatment and even allowed to celebrate some Jewish holidays. They wouldn't be Jews, though. But renouncing Christ would be essential (interestingly enough, no need to renounce Muhammad - Muslims are monotheist, no problem).

[ag]

Come on, no one really goes around advocating the death penalty for a religious crime anymore, much less a goy from a goy country which is just ludicrous and something that no one ever did.

Such are the sad times in which we live, that following the Law might be prejudicial to the Jews. So, of course, even though the Law is unambiguous - jmfct must be stoned - this shouldn't be done, as it would be bad for the Jews, and jmfcst isn't worth it. But times may change ))

Of course, you consider that to be nonsense - and you are right. But for a Jewish counterpart of jmfct it is not.

[ag]

danny, certain people hate Israel simply because it is God's chosen nation.  

Danny is that very type of a secular but sectarian Jew we've been discussing. He couldn't care less about the religion bullsh**t, so he is content w/ having the great rabbis determine what Judaism is - as long as nobody gives a damn about what they say.

[ag]

Of course as long as they don't change the bible the laws will remain on the books. But that's not very meaningful. What is meaningful is what people say should be done in practice  and how they act, people can interpret the books any way they like.

Thank you! You provide a wonderful illustration to our chat w/ jmfsct )))

The problem is: he takes (his own) Law deadly seriously. When Israel wins, the rapture will happen and all Jews will convert (or perish).

[ag]

Most Israelis would certainly not consider jmfsct an enemy. Israel has enough real enemy's, an Israel supporting Christian isn't one of them.

He is not, by any means, an enemy of Israel. He is merely an enemy of the Jews - that's not the same thing ))

[ag]

without a temple?

Oh, the temple would be rebuilt, no problem ) Though, in any case, even if it weren't, as long as it could be done without endangering Jews, it would be done.

Now, mind it. Overwhelming majority of Israelis wouldn't want to do it, of course: because they don't care the sh**t about religion. Israeli nationalism is, mostly, secular, and, at least originally, was fairly anti-religious. But your counterparts among the Jews - that's quite another matter ))

[ag]

What international pressure? The international community likes to pressure Israel a lot, but never about Arab Israelis.

And rightly so: Israel is (still?) a democracy within its own borders, with the due process available internally. As long as that remains the case, these things remain internal affairs of Israel.

Though, having said that, whatever I've heard about the life of Israeli Arabs makes this ex-Soviet Jew think they are the true Jews of Israel ))

[ag]

What about the life of Arab Israelis have you heard? because while I'm sure it isn't perfect, I don't think there is anything terrible about it.

Nothing more terrible than I myself experienced as a Jew in the Soviet Union, I'd admit. It's just that I am impressed at how good the Israelis are at being the Russians. So good in fact, that you've made the Jews of your own Arabs ))