Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 00:30:23 0600
To: Rob Weinberg
From: Frank Grose
Subject: Shalom
Rob,
You truly are a patient, tolerant man! I read carefully through your response. It is now obvious to me that you have studied the First Amendment issue on a professional level. I have not. I don't mind admitting that. And I have relied a great deal on David Barton as a source, because it seemed to me that he'd done a good job at researching the early history. Thank you for forwarding the cases. It will take me some time to get through them, however. The last thing I want to do is use a mis quote from someone to try to prove a point. I want facts, not spin, right or left.
You mentioned that I was not answering your questions. The fact is, I only have a limited amount of time I can spend responding to emails. Please don't think I don’t read them, however. I do, every one. And I don't try to place myself in your position. I do consider your questions the way you want me to. As I've said before, you do make me think. From my last couple of emails, I can understand why you think I'm closed minded. But I'm not.
I agree that a Christian public school teacher should not be teaching your children her religion on government time. I'm with you there, my friend. In fact, some Christians take their children out of public schools precisely to avoid having them indoctrinated with "government approved" religion. (Let's not debate that statement, please.)
My comment regarding your heritage had nothing to do with your being one of "God's chosen," I was just simply trying to make the point that you and I were reared in different environments. Mine was a Christian home; yours was Jewish. Sometimes I get a little confused and uncertain how to consider you. It seems you point out your Jewishness, but when I refer to it, you dodge. I have no problem with you being Jewish. As I said very early, that was glad to have a Jewish friend from whom to learn. The fact that you are a lawyer, and the Assistant Attorney General make it even better. I don't consider you a minority. You are just as much American as I am. But then, sometimes you place yourself in a minority, and allude to the majority being a threat to you in some way. I am trying to understand. I am, I am. But I just can't come up with a scenario that seems to fit what you are talking about. I've considered the Pike County thing. It was unfortunate. But my gentile mind may not be catching some of the subtleties. If you as a Jew have enemies out here, more than likely, they are my enemies as well. I have no use for the Skinheads or the KKK. Yes those are overt organizations, but I probably never see the less overt anti-Semitic gestures or attitudes that you see, simply because I am not Jewish. That is where I need you to help me see it.
America is a multi cultural country, and we are a better country for it. But sometimes it seems that all cultures are okay except the American culture, of which prayer in school is a facet. It is only in what seems to me to be an attempt to rid the American public scene from all vestiges of Christianity, that causes me to voice objection. And from where I am, how can I see it otherwise?
You've made references to "one way" in some of your messages. You probably know this already, but let me address the point for clarification. I believe the Bible is true, all of it. (I agree that the King James translators may not have chosen the closest English equivalent word here and there for Greek or Hebrew, but for the most part, the message has not been diluted or changed.) This is an essential element of my faith. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Now if I believe the Bible, I must also believe that. And I do. That is why I am Christian. In Mark 16:15 Jesus also said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." That gives Christians a mandate to share their faith with others. If "sharing" goes beyond that, it has exceeded the mandate.
Acceptance of salvation through the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross and his sbsequent resurrection is strictly a personal matter for you and all others to address in the privacy of your own will. Would I like to see you accept the Christian faith? Absolutely. Will I try to coerce you to accept it, absolutely not. I've often heard it said that when we get to Heaven, we'll be surprised, either by how many there are who got there or how few there are who will have made it. I choose not to gamble with the destination of my eternal soul. Having said that, it is my hope that you will try to understand the difference between exercise of religion and promoting it. If I tell you are going to Hell if you don't accept my religion, I'm promoting it. If I bow my head and thank God in the name of Jesus for my food, whether in my home (which I do) or in a restaurant (which I do), by myself or in the company of others, I am exercising my religion. That is not intended to be a threat to anyone. When we have the opportunity to have a meal together (sooner than later, I hope), you should not feel negatively toward me in any way when I bow my head and pray over my food. I've done that longer than I can remember. And it is not
"ceremonial." I pray.
I am also at somewhat of a disadvantage because I don't really know what you do believe. You have chosen to not share that with me beyond saying you are "spiritual." That's okay if you choose to keep it private, but it is hard for me to put in context some things that you say, and it is difficult for me to make a point on a commonly held belief.
It is late, and I must get in bed. I don't foresee any more messages from me as stressing to you as my last few have been. We do have differences in opinions, and we both recognize that neither of us are likely to roll over and agree with the other on certain fundamental issues, and beliefs. That is okay with me. But my efforts, crude and non legal as they may have been, were to try to present my views and understanding of reality, not to be critical of you, but to (in keeping with our objective of finding a solution) try to build a bridge of understanding. You've heard the story of the blind men describing the elephant. I am trying to understand what your "piece of the elephant" feels like; I hope you are doing the same with me. Do I really think you are anti-Christian? No, I don't. (But sometimes I do wonder if you aren't getting close.) However, taken collectively over the last 35 years, it is difficult to not view the action by the courts and the ACLU as not being anti-Christian. To me, it seems like far less of a stretch than saying "one way" is a threat to anyone. Hey, be patient with me. I'm just a "rocket scientist." ; )
BTW, you once again did an excellent job responding to my message. You are thorough. I might even vote for you anyway. : ) Lest we overdo it, I'll try to be less aggressive in the future. BTW, weren't we about to attempt to work out mutually acceptable definition of "religion?"
Good night,
Frank
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