Why do christianity get so much hate?

[IndigoChild5559]

I think entire police forces can be racist as an institution.

In the past, yes. I think in the early 20th century, the Los Angeles police department was, as an institution, profoundly racist. But I don't think that's true anymore. We live in a century where most people just don't think race is important.

The problem with the police departments is the power of the union to prevent the discipline and firing of those cops who ARE racist, or even those who ARE brutal in general. I'm a very pro-union person. But sometimes unions get into things that have nothing to do with salaries, benefits, and safety. This protection of all cops regardless of what they've done has got to go. Not because most cops are racist, but because those cops who ARE do a tremendous amount of harm. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Some of them. "One bad apple spoils the bunch."

Edit: if one cop victimizes someone because of their race, but 5 cops and their union protect him, you have 6 racist cops and a racist police union.

I don't think most cops want them protected. The problem is the union getting into stuff that has no relationship to salary, benefits, or safety.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I don't think most cops want them protected.

Union members vote their executive in. In general, this is the approach that the members of these unions do.

The problem is the union getting into stuff that has no relationship to salary, benefits, or safety.

Grievances against members is definitely in a union's wheelhouse, but it gets complicated in a police setting when the union defends its members at the expense of the public the police are meant to serve.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Union members vote their executive in. In general, this is the approach that the members of these unions do.

I was a member of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) for many, many years. One of the things that irritated me was their involvement in politics. One election in particular, they used union dues to support some nuclear power plant issue. Grrr. And yet there was nothing I could do. The only people that ran for union rep were people who agreed with these sort of policies.

Grievances against members is definitely in a union's wheelhouse, but it gets complicated in a police setting when the union defends its members at the expense of the public the police are meant to serve.

Yeap. We are on the same page here.

 

[YoursTrue]

That verse is the most controversial verse debated amongst Jewish theologians as it really doesn't make much logical sense if taken literally.

As the saying goes, 2 Jews, 3 opinions. I'm sure you and others believe the account is a myth anyway. Perhaps another discussion for another thread.

 

[Samael_Khan]

I think it entirely depends on what a person means by "chosen." I mean, if I'm at summer camp and get chosen for Kitchen Patrol, believe me, I very much wish I wasn't chosen. LOL Yes, there are some Jews who think "chosen" means that they are better, but the Jews I've known have never been like that. *I* certainly don't feel that being Jewish makes me superior.

So what does the word "chosen" mean to me? It means chosen to receive the burden of 613 laws. Just as with KP duty, being chosen for 613 laws is not appealing. Nor is being victimized by antisemitism any fun. In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye says, "I know, I know. We are the chosen people. But once in a while, couldn't you choose someone else?"

And this is why I like the fact that Jews aren't Sola Scriptura.

If my understanding of general current Judaism is correct, do you guys consider Judaism really just for jews and other peoples have their own path to follow to connect with God?

 

[Samael_Khan]

I have had similar thoughts, and finally I realized

I don't criticize Christians:
1) Christians criticize me
2) I declare "STOP criticizing my faith"
3) I give them my boundaries
4) IF they choose to violate my boundaries
5) I tell them "No Respect = No Contact"

It is their choice to disrespect me

It is my duty to respect God, Love, Truth, myself

They don't follow the 2 Great Commandments

Their choice, their responsibility

True

I came across a useful quote in this context:
"If they loved you in the ways they claimed to love you, they wouldn't hurt you in the ways they deny hurting you"

So if they don't respect your boundaries you ignore them. Back in the day i would have thought that to be a sign of weakness. These days I consider that a sign of strength because a person who is comfortable where they stand confidently protects their boundaries.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Thank you for sharing. That was my guess, remembering the Scriptures declaring "it's almost impossible to let go Spiritual Supremacy"

I was lucky not having brought up in a strict sect. That gave me a chance to find my own Path, relatively easy. Still lots of work to do

Thank you, good reminder to stay alert


Understandable. And I can relate, as I have been with a J.W. group for ca. 8 month.

Most of it felt good, but their Superiority Complex "killed" all their good deeds.

Fantastic to hear. Congratulations.





Wonderful

Thank you for sharing

True. I decided to always say sorry, if someone tells me my words or actions hurt them, and of course fully determined to not make the mistake again

Look, I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't joined the JWs. And it was quite an experience. I learnt a lot of good things there too. I just outgrew the group. And with that came consequences. They were necessary for my path in life.

The superiority complex did give me moral quandaries, and seemed to always conflict with other beliefs, but began to understand why that is the case. Its love for the group rather than love for the many. And most times other Christian groups who criticise them are guilty of the same perspective as them.

Sorry is a powerful word that is difficult to yield.

 

[Samael_Khan]

In the past, yes. I think in the early 20th century, the Los Angeles police department was, as an institution, profoundly racist. But I don't think that's true anymore. We live in a century where most people just don't think race is important.

The problem with the police departments is the power of the union to prevent the discipline and firing of those cops who ARE racist, or even those who ARE brutal in general. I'm a very pro-union person. But sometimes unions get into things that have nothing to do with salaries, benefits, and safety. This protection of all cops regardless of what they've done has got to go. Not because most cops are racist, but because those cops who ARE do a tremendous amount of harm. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch.

Yes so then applying this to what we were previously talking about, having people who are part of an oppressed group in positions of power of the oppressors doesn't mean that there is no oppression taking place. Which is why Arabs being part of Israeli government isn't proof to me that Israeli's aren't racist towards Palestinians.

 

[stvdv]

So if they don't respect your boundaries you ignore them.

Yes. And the logic is simple. IF he disrespects and belittles me, he clearly shows me "I don't want real contact and I spit on you".

I just respect his wish + God's 2nd Commandment + the Golden Rule. These 2 from the Bible is all I need to know

Back in the day i would have thought that to be a sign of weakness. These days I consider that a sign of strength because a person who is comfortable where they stand confidently protects their boundaries.

Exactly, though it took me years to feel comfortable to protect my boundaries; lots of traumas to unpeel

 

[Samael_Khan]

Yes. And the logic is simple. IF he disrespects and belittles me, he clearly shows me "I don't want real contact and I spit on you".

I just respect his wish + God's 2nd Commandment + the Golden Rule. These 2 from the Bible is all I need to know


Exactly, though it took me years to feel comfortable to protect my boundaries; lots of traumas to unpeel

Your logic is correct IMO. If they are disrespectful, especially if they don't even attempt to understand your point of view, then they don't have your best interests at heart. They don't care about you. They only care about you bring a number to add to their group to sustain group narcissism and have another pocket as a host.

I too have learnt that i have trauma to overcome in order to be firm in my boundaries.

 

[stvdv]

Look, I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't joined the JWs. And it was quite an experience. I learnt a lot of good things there too. I just outgrew the group. And with that came consequences. They were necessary for my path in life.

Viewing your experience in this way will give peace of mind. I feel the same towards J.W. experience I've had. They learned me to really stick to the Truth (never belittle (non) Faith of others.

The superiority complex did give me moral quandaries, and seemed to always conflict with other beliefs, but began to understand why that is the case.

Its love for the group rather than love for the many.

Good one, I not thought about it that way, thanks

And most times other Christian groups who criticise them are guilty of the same perspective as them.

True. "Don't judge others' (lack of) Faith" seems to be a big challenge for most people

Sorry is a powerful word that is difficult to yield.

My Master told me "IF you hurt someone, you hurt Me, God", so, it's useless to pray, until you tell the other you're sorry

Knowing that, I don't go to bed before saying sorry, to correct my mistake. I can't afford to miss out on God's Grace

 

[stvdv]

Your logic is correct IMO. If they are disrespectful, especially if they don't even attempt to understand your point of view, then they don't have your best interests at heart. They don't care about you. They only care about you bring a number to add to their group

to sustain group narcissism

Awareness of Narcissism, which is rampant, is my major key to overcome all my traumas

I too have learnt that i have trauma to overcome in order to be firm in my boundaries.

Incredible how much we are alike, having so many similar experiences and challenges

 

[Samael_Khan]

Viewing your experience in this way will give peace of mind. I feel the same towards J.W. experience I've had. They learned me to really stick to the Truth (never belittle (non) Faith of others.



Good one, I not thought about it that way, thanks

True. "Don't judge others' (lack of) Faith" seems to be a big challenge for most people

My Master told me "IF you hurt someone, you hurt Me, God", so, it's useless to pray, until you tell the other you're sorry

Knowing that, I don't go to bed before saying sorry, to correct my mistake. I can't afford to miss out on God's Grace

Yeah, it was a learning experience. These days I just forget about the group because it doesn't add anything to my life.

Yeah, people like judging others lack of faith. But I think that is because someone not accepting their beliefs is a threat to their faith.

Your last two paragraphs about saying sorry reminds me of the biblical verse that say "don't let the sun set on your anger".

 

[IndigoChild5559]

And this is why I like the fact that Jews aren't Sola Scriptura.

If my understanding of general current Judaism is correct, do you guys consider Judaism really just for jews and other peoples have their own path to follow to connect with God?

Not exactly. Although we insist that no one NEEDS to be a Jew, that others are fine worshiping God in their own way, there are a rare few people who develop such a strong affinity for the People of Israel that they want to become one of us, will not be discouraged by the task, and are even willing to give up their former religion. We do adopt such people into The Tribe via a formal conversion to Judaism. They become 100% Jewish, and have all the same rights and responsibilities of born Jews. In fact, Jews are forbidden to even ask someone if they are born a Jew or are a Jew by choice.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Yes so then applying this to what we were previously talking about, having people who are part of an oppressed group in positions of power of the oppressors doesn't mean that there is no oppression taking place. Which is why Arabs being part of Israeli government isn't proof to me that Israeli's aren't racist towards Palestinians.

I can't agree with you there. I will be the first to agree that some Israelis exist who are racist. But not most, and not the government. For a government to be racist, it would have to have discriminatory laws on the books.

 

[Samael_Khan]

Awareness of Narcissism, which is rampant, is my major key to overcome all my traumas

Incredible how much we are alike, having so many similar experiences and challenges

I can honestly say my conversation with you this week has really opened my mind and my spirit. I feel more comfortable with who I am and have a more solid idea of where I am on my spiritual journey. Our similar experiences is what has helped me realized a lot. Sincerely thank you my friend.

 

[stvdv]

I can honestly say my conversation with you this week has really opened my mind and my spirit. I feel more comfortable with who I am and have a more solid idea of where I am on my spiritual journey. Our similar experiences is what has helped me realized a lot. Sincerely thank you my friend.

Thank you too. And the feeling is mutual. You have been an inspiration to me also

A wonderful experience of the importance of someone who thinks similar on the basics of Spirituality: being humble, respectful and above all never belittling feelings nor faith of others

My Master used to say:
"Tell me your company I tell you who you are"
"ABC = Avoid Bad Company (including bad thoughts)"

 

[Samael_Khan]

Thank you too. And the feeling is mutual. You have been an inspiration to me also

A wonderful experience of the importance of someone who thinks similar on the basics of Spirituality: being humble, respectful and above all never belittling feelings nor faith of others

My Master used to say:
"Tell me your company I tell you who you are"
"ABC = Avoid Bad Company (including bad thoughts)"

Birds of a feather flock together

 

[Samael_Khan]

Not exactly. Although we insist that no one NEEDS to be a Jew, that others are fine worshiping God in their own way, there are a rare few people who develop such a strong affinity for the People of Israel that they want to become one of us, will not be discouraged by the task, and are even willing to give up their former religion. We do adopt such people into The Tribe via a formal conversion to Judaism. They become 100% Jewish, and have all the same rights and responsibilities of born Jews. In fact, Jews are forbidden to even ask someone if they are born a Jew or are a Jew by choice.

This is fascinating. I knew about converts but not the fact that you shouldn't even ask if a Jew is a Jew by choice or birth. Its as if when you are accepted into the group you basically become blood brothers which is awesome.