Unfortunately, the San Jose Mercury News, CA, has dropped the B.C. cartoon strip because of this particular item. What a pity.
-0/5-/2001
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I have heard both sides of this debate and agree with you, shalom - J. e. -0/4-/2001
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When I first learned about the comic strip, I was incensed, too, thinking it was an example of "replacement theology." But, the more I think about it, the mroe I see it as a commentary on the failings of Christianity, not Judaism.
The virbrant essence of Judaism has been lost in Modern Day Christianity. Like it or not, it began as a sect of Judaism at a time when there were hundreds of other competing sects, and is the only one surviving today...albeit as its own religion that looks very little like its original precedessor.
Given the other events of the same week such as a Methodist preacher in Georgia barring a rabbi from speaking at a non-denominational graduation convocation, and Charlie Ward's remarks about Jews persecuting Jesus, Hart's cartoon may, indeed, have been a feigned swipe at Jews.
If it was, then it hit his own religion harder than it did mine.
- R. P. -0/4-/2001
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Mr. Jolkovsky misrepresents the reason why the strip offended many Jews. Hint: It wasn't the "R" word -- B.C.
frequently has explicitly Christian themes, that don't
bring about mass letter-writing campaigns.
What was offensive (to some) about the strip was the
message of the Menorah (the symbol of Judaism) slowly
dying and being replaced by the cross (the symbol
of Christianity). The explicit message is that
Judaism is irrelevant, and Christianity is the correct
religion for Jews (and others) now. This is not an
outlandish suggestion, since the so-called "replacement
theology" is quite common among Christian thinkers. One did
not have to be particularly thin-skinned to see that message
in the cartoon.
However, Mr. Hart specifically denied this intent
in his message about the strip. I think that denial
should be enough.
- G. F. -0/4-/2001
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If people of all faith's and belief's saw thing's in this benevolent way, our world would be ready for its Moschiach! - J. M. -0/4-/2001
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This particular comic is not an expression of anti-semitism, but it isn't of religious tolerance either. This person believes his religion has replaced Judaism (note the extinguished menorah), rather than existing along side of it. This view is usually followed by the well known claims of Messianic Jews and their Christian sponsors and should be rejected by Jews everywhere. -0/4-/2001
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Thank you for seeing the strip for what it was: A man expressing his faith on an important holiday for him. I didn't read any hatred or 'Replacement' in his strip. Just an expression of his joy. Thank you for not overreacting and flaming any fires. - D. M. -0/4-/2001
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I agree. When we focus only on a tree, or even worse only on a brach, we miss the forest. In our case, BC is a harmless and reverent cartoon drawn by a practicing Christian. There is Anti Semitism, racism and religion in the world and we must fight it. We don't need to hunt for our enemies or expect them to disguise their message. It
's clear enough when it appears. As a lawyer, a "self-styled" liberal, a lifelong Democrat, an affiliated Jew, and whatever else, I think the relentless demand to remove all references or hints as to spirituality from the public sector leaves us without a senese that there could be fundamental laws of morality, or conduct or responsibilty.
"If G-d did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him." (Voltaire) - I. G. -0/4-/2001
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Yes, Indeed.
- S. D. -0/4-/2001
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