Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Why gratitude for no post-"Passion" anti-Semitism?

There is a pervading element of hypocrisy in Mr. Hoffman’s letters to the editor. In his first letter he states that people who question Christian actions are anti-Christian and should apologize (to whom, I’m not sure).

However, in his second letter, which is directed at me because I dared to oppose his assertions, he chastises Jews for labeling their critics as anti-Semites. In so doing, he follows a double standard.

I never intended to “defame” Mr. Hoffman; I only wanted to defend Judaism in a manner similar to the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century.

A member of Parliament made a speech attacking Disraeli and concluded his remarks with these words to Disraeli, “You are a Jew.” Disraeli immediately replied, “Yes, sir, I am a Jew, and when the right honorable gentlemen’s ancestors were savages on an unknown island, mine were priests in the Temple of Solomon.”

Yes, apparently there were no attributable acts of terror against Jews resulting from the Gibson movie as was anticipated. Do you really want us to show gratitude and apologize for that? It seems incongruous to be thankful for other people being civilized and not acting in a violent nature. Sorry about being a little paranoid, but what is past is often prologue.

Mr. Hoffman, your first letter was full of innuendoes, and you left it up to the reader to connect the dots. You spoke of “every wrong done in the name of Christianity, both real and imagined, over the past 2000 years.” (Hmm, what is meant by the word “imagined”?)

You also left it to others to decide who the “liberal critics” are. (I, and I am sure many others, took it as a euphemism for Jews.) The most flagrant example, however, was your closing sentence, “... to admit when they’re wrong and perhaps examine the motivation behind the attacks.”

I assume that “the motivation” means Christian bashing. It defies my reasoning to comprehend how such an overwhelming majority can be victimized.

Your statements that I mentioned above are vague and suggestive, and I have every right to question your motives. If the tone of my letter was strident, then I merely followed your example. I acknowledge that it was unfortunate that I referred to “The Passion of Christ” as “inflammatory,” but this was in the heat of battle. If it reaffirms your faith and ideals, then so be it.

Your interpretation of history is certainly different than mine, and in my opinion there would be no benefit in discussing it. Just as the Civil War is studied from a different perspective in the North and South, so is the more distant past.

By the way, I never personally dwelled upon Hitler nor his followers being Christians. I would rather think of the righteous gentiles who in a world of indifference opposed him and helped a small number of my people escape persecution and certain death. They are our heroes and are honored here and in Israel.

I will take you at your word, Mr. Hoffman, as you requested and hereby confirm that I am not a mind-reader. Your second letter demonstrated that you are an intelligent and well versed man. “I will fight no more forever” and consider this forum to be closed. I can only hope that I brought some measure of understanding to my friends and neighbors.

Leonard Herman

Peachtree City, Ga.

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