in Israel. About Christian and muslims studies...I am not really sure if I support the idea of enforcing these kind of studies as compulsory. Israel is a Jewish Country,not a muslim or christian one. Those interested in studying those religions,should find it out in the particular system,as a meaning of culture only,and not being endorsed by the state.

Trust me: Knowing what Christianity is about won't kill you. I survived it for 67 years, though I no longer believe in it. What is ironic is my spending hours each day trying to figure out what Judaism is all about, and between progressive and orthodox, it's no less confusing than Christianity.

Why shouldnt Jewish students be allowed to study Christianity?? This is completely absurd. Students should be allowed to study any area, in any field and it would be even better for students to be well rounded and in this case understand another religion. This will only let students have another perspective which will only make them more knowledgeable of the world around them. We dont have to prohibit the study of religions in this country. Lets not go in this direction.. We have enough problems with the Orthodox rules we have to follow.. It is a persons right to be able to study whatever he/she wishes!!

What is there to 'think' about? Why would a Jewish education minister approve of Christian studies for Jewish students? If Jewish students are curious about the religion, let them find other ways to study it. Aren't they confused enough living in such a hostile part of the world? Afterall, the education ministry is doing an AWFUL job of teaching the kids Jewish religious concepts, they shouldn't dare approve this.

He interpreted the Torah in a different way. He raised questions and challenged other rabbis who did not want to be challenged. Jews need to make up their own mind and dedcide who he was. He lived in Israel.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary_in_Islam

I say no since we have a hard enough time trying to get more Jews into Israel Why do we have to make the situation worst

studies after leaving the oh so intolerant west bank, and bethlehem the home of their messiah. Pity, the Palestinian authority is allowed to get away with this tacit expulsion of the christians from the city of Bethlehem.. Talk about intolerance.

shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain. And He will say: cast ye up, cast ye up, clear the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of My people. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place... Isaiah 57 Therefore thus saith the L*rd G*d: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a costly corner-stone of sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. Isaiah 28 And in this mountain will the L*RD of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that is cast over all peoples, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever; and the L*rd G*D will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of His people will He take away from off all the earth; for the L*RD hath spoken it. Isaiah 25 Return to the Truth: http://www.outreachjudaism.org

bible-jewish bible and new testment-christian quran-muslim that's all we dont need to learn about islam and chirsitanty i dont have nothing against it but if somebody want to study about islam and christainity go to some universty and do it and i think more 70% will be against it we dont need more problems israel the gr8 country in this planet but the worse goverment i ever saw Long Live israel (:

The idea of a Jewish state is out the window. It is a no wonder why the orthodox (dati) don't support the state. Since when is the government that recieves money from Jews responsible for teaching a religion that promotes abandoning the Jewish religion and laws and proselytizing Jews who don't know Torah. Once the Arabs have it, it won't be long before it gets added to Jewish school cirriculum under some clause of the law. It is wrong and it will come back to blind-side the state and it's people. Does the govement want the Jews to stop paying taxes?

The Muslims have worn blinkers for 1400 years and know nothing about any other religion and therefore any criticism of Islam brings forth their wrath. Should Jews be blinkered too ? To ignore a huge religion like Christianity would place Jews in the same ignorant place as Muslims. Every Jew should read both the old and new testaments (plus the Koran) so that he can carry out an informed debate. And every Muslim should read them too. Hard for me to think that I even need to state the above …

This kind of garbage thinking is what happens when the "eletist left" tries to push their views on the rest of us. They are morally corrupt & so are their views on both politics & religion. They can'e accept that Israel is is a Jewish land for the Jewish people. Am Yisroel Chai V"Kayiam.

. judaism is for jews and christianity is an attempt to open it up to the whole world. in short christianity is judaism gone wrong jews should be allowed to learn christianity in order to see how full of garbage it is.of course jews should first be taught judaism properly not by a hypocritical left wing secular teacher making light of his own heritage. after one is educated about judaism he should be able to learn christianity and see how it is idolatry and oximoronic- im all for it!!

More education is not so bad whatever the context. Victor Hugo said : if you open a school, you close a prison. What do you fear ? That one day Jesus could knock at the door of their heart : will they say come in or stay away ? Studying religions is beneficial and later on students would be able to start learning the philosophy of religions in the frame of theology or history for example. Why not using all opportunities to get really educated, not only in one's line. Making a foray into other fields of knowledge is a key to tolerance and peace, and would help them to share the fruits of nascent wisdom.

You do attention so the Christianity, today there carries in arm to the Moslems! We I tell so this fact clearly I am observing it in Italy! Here the Christians are giving an enormous space to the Culture and Islamic Religion! In few years, this country will be Moslem!

and not for conversion purposes. it should include as well Judaism and Islam without political correctness. and be coherent with history in full details.

Christianity like Islam is a supremecist religion believing in one exclusive way to live one's life and denying the legitimicy of other faith systems. This religious supremecy is the root of Naziism and the new Islamofascism. There are other religions in the world which like Judaism do not exclude others as non-believers and deny their right to existance. These are religions which knowledge of them can be of interest such as Hinduism, Buddism, Jainism etc. These faiths are pluralistic and do not preach religious and racial supremecy such as christianity and Islam. These two supremecist religions have nothing to teach our children except hatred and prejeudice.

I think that the Ministry of education should institute a course in Harry Potter too. Jesus was also a fictional character, listen to what experts say : The assertion that Jesus Christ is a myth can be proved not only through the works of dissenters and “pagans” who knew the truth – and who were viciously refuted or murdered for their battle against the Christian priests and “Church Fathers” fooling the masses with their fictions – but also through the very statements of the Christians themselves, who continuously disclose that they knew Jesus Christ was a myth founded upon more ancient deities located throughout the known ancient world. In fact, Pope Leo X, privy to the truth because of his high rank, made this curious declaration, “What profit has not that fable of Christ brought us!”15 (Emphasis added.) As Wheless says, “The proofs of my indictment are marvelously easy.” get real , wake up and smell the coffee. Jesus never existed, he is a FICTIONal charachter who died of cruciFICTION. He is no more real than the TOONS of Roger Rabbit fame or Harry Potter

Why did the largest Christian nation just vote to give Israel $500,000,000 USD, if they hate Jews???

The pope will become an imam soon?

Comparatuve Religion!!

I find it interesting that: "While Muslim students will be allowed to take the Christian studies program, Jewish pupils are at this point prohibited from doing so." Why are the Jews afraid to let their people learn about the religion of the Christians? Are they afraid there will be conversions en masse? Why is it OK for Muslim Arabs to persue such studies while it is forbidden to Jews? Is it a matter of allowing the Moslims an alternative to what is perceived as the lesser of 2 evils? Why should education about anything we denied to the seekers of knowledge? I personally believe it should be compulsory for every Israeli Jew to take a class in Islamic studies. You should understand what you are dealing with, right? To #21 who compares Christ to a cartoon. The old testament is full of parables that could very well have been Mother Goose stories. How about Noah gathering every animal in 2's? Tell me why exactly did he decide to bring fleas and cockroaches? And who was it that got swallowed by a whale? Was it Pinnochio? No wait... that was Jonah. Let's get something straight. Christ was a pacifist who preached love and tolerance. Roger Rabbit was a silly rabbit that had no vision for humanity that I can recall. You should change your moniker from "Yitz" to "Yutz" As an agnostic, I find any concerted effort to deny learning to be disturbing. Yes, I realize this is an Israeli website. I read and comment on this site because I happen to support Israel for political reasons. But at the same time I question my support when I read story like this and see talkbacks from intolerant Jews.

Good schools in the rest of the world have policies of openly discussing various religious holidays of their students - even giving students the opportunity of presentations, plays, and diaologue about what they believe and how it impacts their lives. It is proved that this develops tolerance and fosters understanding. BUT to teach religious studies to minors in public schools? Who came up with that idea?!!!! In most countries in the "developed world" religious studies are only offered at college and University levels and private religious schools. If I want my children to study religion - I'll send them to a religious school or teach them at home.

where do you get your ideas from? I'm 62 and studied RK (religious knowledge) in a public school in London when I was 12. Do we (Jews) have something to be afraid of ? If not, then what is the problem? Do we want to protect our children from learning about other religions! I hope not or we will start burning books next !