Dear Fred,
Thanks for your email.
I agree. Jewish argument is one of the world's wonders.
I think Jews argue as they do because so few are absolutist.
When they are absolutist, there aren't enough of any one political stripe to muster a lasting constituency.
It is simultaneously true that the bitter aftermath of the Holocaust has converted many Jews to absolutism - perhaps compensation for a "providential" God in whom they no longer believe.
Today's Jews -- at least many Israeli Jews-- believe in "iron shields," Berlin walls and retaliation of type-and-magnitude that clearly contradict "Just War" principles. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/06/christian-just-war-principles.html (Many Jewish leaders -- like many Christian anarcho-apocalypticists -- prefer the destruction of Creation to any attempt at loving their enemies. http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2013/10/republicans-for-revolution-study-in.html)
***
There is nothing in Judaism like Bible Belt "bible banging."
"The Bible Belt Is Christianity's Worst Enemy"
Instead of bible banging, Jews' instinct is to argue over "the texts" whose meaning emerges from "wrestling with Yahweh," not from abject submission to The Thunder Sky God of Islam and Islam's mirror image - Christian fundamentalism/traditionalism.
***
Have you noticed that Laura Wood almost never cites Bible verses?
Maybe she senses that the actual words coming from Yeshua's lips would contradict -- or at least challenge -- the dogmas, doctrines and traditions in whose bosom she takes such "comfortable" refuge. (Which reminds me of a "shadow side" question: How angry do you think Laura is? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_(psychology))
And so, for The Thinking Housewife, avoidance becomes the better part of valor.
"Yeshua Excoriates Fellow Pharisees"
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Have you ever perused a bible that publishes all Jesus's words in red?
These editions make for a quick, enlightening read.
***
But you know more about Judaism than I.
What do you think?
Pax tecum
Alan
PS One widespread form of collective Buddhist "meditation" -- practiced in Tibetan monasteries -- is based on scriptural argument.
"The Art Of Debate, Jewish Style"
On Tue, Jul 15, 2014 at 11:07 AM, Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com> wrote:
the strength of the jews is measured by the ferocity of their arguments with each other and the intensity of their mutual criticismit seems counter-intuitive, but somehow it works
--
My writing blog is Frog Hospital
send mail to:
Fred Owens
35 West Main St Suite B #391
Ventura CA 93001
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