Jewish Scene
Religion minister fears Jewish divides
Reuters
Published: 08.01.12, 07:48
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1. Not, "could be torn apart"
Sagi   (01.08.12)
rather, "is torn apart". The fundamental reason for this is the very fact that in a modern democratic society we have an instituition called "Ministry for Religious Affairs". This is the root and cause of all the problems. Just go back a few hundred years to England 1530-1620 and understand the devastation and social upheavel caused by religion meddling in State. We are not only heading the same way, we are actually on the doorstep of disaster.
2. As a "less observant Jew" I am in no way interested in a
tom ,   tel aviv   (01.08.12)
dispute with the followers/believers of the Imaginary Friend. They should have their full freedom to practice chicken-twirling and genital "adjustment" policy in their leisure time! I have no desire to interact in any pseudo-intellectual "dialogue" with these neurologically challenged individuals. My country (that's Israel folks) should not allow these forces to have ANY influence on the dayily functioning of our system. Period. Thus follows, that the comments made by a merchant of superstition and servitude, Mr.Margi should not see daylight in any sane publication and that goes even for Ynet!
3. # 1 and # 2
Philip ,   Afula, Israel   (01.08.12)
YES. and a thousand times more YES.
4. Mr Margi and his pals from $h-ass
Haim ,   TA   (01.08.12)
Margi and the $h-ass cult have certainly played their part in dividing the nation, what a hypocrite he is. Ministry of religion , go get a real job buddy !
5. Tom # 2 My commendations
Sagi   (01.08.12)
a) On your English and phrasing. b) On the explicit content c) "daylight"? Mr. Margi has not seen this in a long, long time.
6. Jews have always been divided, never really united
Susya Bar Dror ,   IL   (01.08.12)
It caused the destruction of the 2nd Temple and ultimately it will destruct our "democracy". All this because of about 5 up to maximum 10% of the jewish population in Israel. Its unbelievable that they are still financially supported by the government. Let them pray to their idols but they should not stick their noses into matters of governemnt and state. Israeli citizens, before electing our next governemnt, consider consequences.
7. Separation now
Roger Williams   (01.08.12)
Government is always corrupted, Why corrupt religion also? Look at how many Shas members are in Jail. Keep religion out of politics.
8. #2 You write well but I dont share your angst
Al   (01.08.12)
I dont harbour such disdain for my fellow Jew. I may not share their values but I dont rat on them. On the other hand I live in the golus where my biggest concern is the goy. The goy has a history of killing us, the religious have a history of teaching us. In your case, the religious bore you. Heres a word of advice from one has lived a day longer than you. Spare your anger and angst against those who would kill you in a heartbeat.
9. # 6 Response
Sagi   (01.08.12)
What democracy exactly are you talking about. Israel never was a democracy for even one fleeting moment in our modern history. Something which does not exist cannot be destroyed. We must do all in our power to establish a democracy, this is what is lacking, without this we shall perish. A house divided cannot stand.
10. Rabeinu violatied Mishna speaking across elected leader.
Miron ,   USA   (01.08.12)
11. #8:Hello Brother.I used to live in east-european,Jew-hating
tom ,   tel aviv   (01.08.12)
country for 14 years, then 16 years in a Scandinavian, friendly and free country and now 27 years in the Land of the Jews.(not so young ,you see). Yes you are right, I am fearful of the future for people like me. I do have respect for the HUMAN wisdom that our religion has demonstrated to possess. No doubt, the adherence to the "Way" is what has kept us going all this time. What if we had ceased to exist as Jews 1000 years ago? Who'd bemoan that fact today? (I know:the Imaginary Friend!) Are you in despair over the disappearance of Mayans? Are THEY?! I am sure you get the point. Since I am here , I'd like to have at least the same freedoms I had in that neutral, non-Jewish , Scandinavian land.... not an exaggerated wish, me think? There is much too much head-bowing/misguided "respect" towards any black robes-clad individual, who lies to children and the weak-in-the-head...... They have absolutely no moral right to exert ANY real power on your life! Yes, Life is a Bitch :-)))
12. # 8 Al
Sagi   (01.08.12)
What you said is totally correct but also totally irrelevant to the ongoing situation in Israel at the moment. No one has the right to ram religion down my throat, not by persuasion and not by coercion and most certainly not by violence and political terrorism.
13. #8 your angst
robert   (01.08.12)
your angst might turn into your nightmare. The goy are leaning over backwards to amend for past crimes etc. the religious nuts are marching forward with violence, abuse, anti-social behavior- Israel needs to separate Religion and State- only then can it be a democracy. Fundamentalists- look at Iran- mirror, mirror ...
14. 2 tom "Imaginary Friend"
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (01.08.12)
The nicest name a Non-believer ever gave to G-D. Thanks a lot for showing respect to "neurologically challenged individuals'. One of them-me-reading your many comments,thinks you are a friendly smart guy with sense of humor.
15. # 9 about democracies
Susya Bar Dror ,   IL   (01.08.12)
The previous DDR/GDR (German Democratic Republik) was and todays Northkorea is a democracy. Therefore, Israel too is kinda "democracy". No death penalty for smoking or driving on Shabbat. Not yet.
16. # 14 Ora
Sagi   (01.08.12)
As usual Ora, you are trying to be friendly and goodhearted, which in reality you no doubt are. But as I always point out to you, you are overly naive. You may think that Tom is jesting when he uses phrases such as he used here. You may think that I am "mud slinging" when I say that religion is a psychotic state of mind. No, Ora, we are not trying to be humorous and get a laugh, nor are we attempting to be disrespectful. They, the ultras can do as they please, but they cannot project their idiosyncrasies on others, in this case a whole nation. I am truly convinced that religion can warp and twist a person's mind beyond reason and logic, just as I am convinced that ideologies, when taken to extremes, are dangerous to the believer and even more so to society. There is ample proof of this in recorded history. I am serious in what I believe. I do not say these things lightheartedly.
17. ''nobody expects the Jewish state to permit mixed marriages'
Brian ,   USA   (01.08.12)
....except for all the people outside Israel who are aghast at the casual acceptance by Israelis of such blatant racial and religious discrimination in a country which is constantly crowing about being the only democracy in the middle east.
18. #5/14 Thank you! I could never dream of putting down
tom ,   tel aviv   (01.08.12)
the immensly humane, clever&loving aspects of our religious heritage! Au contraire; I am proud of it! BUT, let everyone decide in their own time IF they really are ready to accept it as the Truth. I know I can't and never will. If the majority of this country (what is a majority?) decides it's time to follow the Imaginary Friend( warts and al)l then I shall have to do some soul-searching indeed. For the time being I cannot, for the love of God ,buy the notion of His existence !
19. 16 Sagi "There is a fine line between..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (01.08.12)
fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot." Steven Wright.. If you think being goodhearted makes one an idiot,you d better think again.
20. 18 tom I understand you perfectly...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (01.09.12)
and i respect you the way you are.
21. # 19 Ora
sagi   (01.09.12)
The line between naive and idiot is very thick, wide and long, in fact the divide is a virtual abyss.
22. 21 Thank you Sagi.
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (01.09.12)
It is always a pleasure to read you,though we have sometimes completely opposite opinions.
23. What Shas is really afraid of...
Ayelet ,   Maale Adumim, Israel   (01.16.12)
Read,"We are afraid that the Israeli public will wake up and refuse to continue to pay stipends in the form of hard earned tax money for the yeshivot and hareidi lifestyle, and refuse to stand by any more while the average Israeli sends his son/daughter to die on the front lines protecting hareidim siting comfortably in yeshiva looking down on or, better yet, come out on the street and spit on and throw diapers at everyone not like them.
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