I just finished a book on the Roman Empire basically from Nero to Hadrian. It was Judah that kept rebelling against Roman rule including the revolt mentioned in the article. Romans were generally tolerant of other religions, so they had a hard time understanding rebellion in Judah because they allowed Jews special privileges not available to other Roman citizens and conquests. Yet the Jews rebelled and that the Romans would not tolerate hence Titus and the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. Jews fared better under Muslim rule in the early days than under Christians. Both later religions thought Jews (and then Christians) should convert to the newest monotheism. When Christians passed through Germany on the First Crusade, they gave Jews a choice: convert or die. Many chose to die.
MICHELE, true. Unfortunately, the world has been indoctrinated by Paul. That's why Jews have become handy scapegoats for any ill that might befall us. Just the many negative comments about Israel on this newsletter and Reich's in reference to the Palestinian/Israel conflict confirms this. The Christians agree that Israel had a right to defend itself, but then dictate they should do it with two hands behind their back. Muslims just want to capitalize on world opinion. Nazis did the same thing as Hitler came to power. Fundamentalists are turning themselves into a pretzel to support Israel. with one small caveat, ACCEPT Jesus. And then there are the Magats who like DeSantis support Israel until they don't. He and his sycophants would throw Israel under the bus the first chance they got!
I have lots of problems with Paul and the early Church Fathers. I also have problems with fundamentalists of any stripe. The current situation is very complex to me with lots of people stirring the pot.
Michele, no doubt tie are correct. However 16 million Jews in Israel can't win a war against 1.9 billion Muslim and Arabs, not to mention Christians. Christians of every stripe have been only too happy to jump on the bandwagon. Netanyahu has too much baggage and must go, and Israel should have quit while they wee ahead. They were unable to be better chess players because they let their emotions trump their best interests going forward. Now Iran who seeks to eliminate Israel and has been behind the 10/7 attack has reared its ugly head. Israel will be blamed for getting us into a 3rd WW by those god fearing Christians!
I like Karen Armstrong and I have read Islam and The History of God, but not this one. Thanks for the suggestion. For the Middle East in fairly recent times I like Lawrence in Arabia which is about several players around the time of WWI and A Legacy of Violence about the British Empire. It has a whole chapter on the Palestinian Mandate. I just finished Why the Bible Began which is about Judah and Israel being conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians in particular and the response of the scribes in Judah and Israel. Then my very last book was Pax about the Roman Empire mostly from Nero to Hadrian. It has a lot about Judah in it. I confess that I am taking a break with Stephen King's Fairy Tale.
I hadn't thought about that. Would love a further explanation.
It will take some time to reply to your question. I will have to get back to you.
Michele, The Jewish Virtual Library said it better than I ever could.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-early-church-and-the-beginnings-of-anti-semitism
Thank you for this. ....I've been interested in Jews for a long time.
Now, I have an 18 page doc. RE: the Israel/Palestine problem.
I'm adding this link.
Early on, it may have been the Church but there are many other factors, excuses.etc. I don't think Hitler called them "Christ Killers".
thanks for this. I will be interested as I did a long paper on this from Roman times to the first Crusade in both Christian and Muslim places..
Michele, Your welcome.
I just finished a book on the Roman Empire basically from Nero to Hadrian. It was Judah that kept rebelling against Roman rule including the revolt mentioned in the article. Romans were generally tolerant of other religions, so they had a hard time understanding rebellion in Judah because they allowed Jews special privileges not available to other Roman citizens and conquests. Yet the Jews rebelled and that the Romans would not tolerate hence Titus and the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. Jews fared better under Muslim rule in the early days than under Christians. Both later religions thought Jews (and then Christians) should convert to the newest monotheism. When Christians passed through Germany on the First Crusade, they gave Jews a choice: convert or die. Many chose to die.
MICHELE, true. Unfortunately, the world has been indoctrinated by Paul. That's why Jews have become handy scapegoats for any ill that might befall us. Just the many negative comments about Israel on this newsletter and Reich's in reference to the Palestinian/Israel conflict confirms this. The Christians agree that Israel had a right to defend itself, but then dictate they should do it with two hands behind their back. Muslims just want to capitalize on world opinion. Nazis did the same thing as Hitler came to power. Fundamentalists are turning themselves into a pretzel to support Israel. with one small caveat, ACCEPT Jesus. And then there are the Magats who like DeSantis support Israel until they don't. He and his sycophants would throw Israel under the bus the first chance they got!
I have lots of problems with Paul and the early Church Fathers. I also have problems with fundamentalists of any stripe. The current situation is very complex to me with lots of people stirring the pot.
Michele, no doubt tie are correct. However 16 million Jews in Israel can't win a war against 1.9 billion Muslim and Arabs, not to mention Christians. Christians of every stripe have been only too happy to jump on the bandwagon. Netanyahu has too much baggage and must go, and Israel should have quit while they wee ahead. They were unable to be better chess players because they let their emotions trump their best interests going forward. Now Iran who seeks to eliminate Israel and has been behind the 10/7 attack has reared its ugly head. Israel will be blamed for getting us into a 3rd WW by those god fearing Christians!
Karen Armstrong's book The Battle for God is a great help in understanding how we got here.
I like Karen Armstrong and I have read Islam and The History of God, but not this one. Thanks for the suggestion. For the Middle East in fairly recent times I like Lawrence in Arabia which is about several players around the time of WWI and A Legacy of Violence about the British Empire. It has a whole chapter on the Palestinian Mandate. I just finished Why the Bible Began which is about Judah and Israel being conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians in particular and the response of the scribes in Judah and Israel. Then my very last book was Pax about the Roman Empire mostly from Nero to Hadrian. It has a lot about Judah in it. I confess that I am taking a break with Stephen King's Fairy Tale.
Fundamentalists see Israel as a step toward the end times. They are trying to come up with a completely red cow.
Fundamentalists believe that Israel has to exists so it can be destroyed by the second coming.