Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 23:40:45 0500
To: Rob Weinberg
From: Frank Grose
Subject: Re: Acquaintance, Rnd 2
Overt anti-Semitism may not be as prevalent as it used to be except as you've noted. But for me, there's not much of a fine distinction between the kind of intolerance and disregard for the beliefs of others you saw in those Pike County Schools articles and overt anti-Semitism. History and experience shows it just doesn't take much to go from one to the other. That's why I, like Deputy Barney Fife, say you got to "nip it, nip it in the bud!"
I cannot fault you, or anyone of Jewish heritage, from being vigilant for such hostilities. Just be careful not to carry it to the point of paranoia. There really isn't an anti-Semite behind every tree. Believe me, I would be on your side in a heartbeat, opposing anti-Semitism (although I cannot fully appreciate being the object of it). I just don't know anyone who is truly anti-Semitic. And please don't consider being Christian and believing that acceptance of Jesus Christ as saviour is required for redemption is anti-Semitic. It is no more anti-Semitic than it is anti-black, anti-Indian, or anti-Eskimo. I'm not speaking of history. I'm speaking of now.
Do you think the idea of a world of people getting along who have many different beliefs in God is a worthwhile pursuit? If you believe that ought to be a goal the "right" should share, then we're halfway there.
Wow! That is a pretty tall order, kind of like setting out to eat an elephant! While the idea that a world of peace is a worthy goal on an individual, community, or national level, the reality of the world in which we live is that it is unrealistic and unachievable. Rob, I have stood shoulder to shoulder to North Korean troops; I've looked into their eyes. I've also seen the cold hatred in the eyes of Chinese troops. The eyes of the worst criminal you've ever seen wouldn't compare. I could feel the hatred. Regardless, I didn't hate them. Given the necessity of a situation, I would have had to kill them, but without hate.
It's easy to say "yes" to that proposed mission statement, but you have to seriously and honestly ask yourself whether that's an objective you can reconcile with your belief that there is only "One Way." Give it some serious thought, and if you have doubts, that's OK, maybe we can explore them.
Okay, I've thought about it. It has nothing to do with my "one way" belief. I don't know how many ways I can say it. Being Christian is not anti-get along with anyone. I have good neighbors and friends who aren't Christian. I have four black neighbors, some are Christian, some are not, an some I don't know their religious inclinations. I get along with all of them, and try to be a good neighbor to them. I do this for several reasons, 1) getting along with others (regardless of race, religion, or ear size) is just the way I am, 2) as a Christian, I represent Christians as a group, 3) as a white person, I represent the white race. I want my black neighbors the see the "good side" of the white race; I want them to see a Christian in a positive light. They are good neighbors to be. Race isn't a factor. I'd decline an invitation to dinner if chitlins was on the menu, but I wouldn't eat them anywhere.
Look at the debate about what our founding fathers meant only a short 200 years ago, the "original intent" question. We don't have translation problems, but already we have frame of reference questions that may never be answered. The writings of Jefferson were written in the language of the day, so there *would* be references to the divine hand of God, even though Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Washington and many others didn't believe he played a hand in current events.
"Original intent" will be addressed in another session. Your knowledge of history seems to have a hole here and there as well. Excuse me, but wasn't it Franklin (probably the least Christian of our founding fathers) who addressed the assembly during a hopeless deadlock and quoted Psalm 127:1, then called for a prayer (which lasted for hours)? If Washington didn't believe God responded, all those artists who painted him in prayer sure led us astray. Washington was a man of prayer!
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