I guess I am not very smart....

Hi Carmen,

I am glad you posted this.  I have trie dto stay out of all the controversy, but some of what is being said is horrible.  Unfortunately I see it on both sides...present company accepted.  I have never seen you post anything but love and loving ideas.

To all the Christians who are reading this, I am a Christian and I love our Lord, Jesus Christ, but i do not think he would be involved in all the hatred coming from both sides. I have always felt that the best evangelization is by being who and what Jesus would want us to be...loving and tolerant of  ALL people.  God is a very loving God and He gives youwhat you ask for...even those who donot want Him, He doesn't force Himself on anyone and we shouldn't either.  There are people here who have stated that they do not want God and do not believe in God, so I for one will not try and my faith on them, but I do love them as I feel God wants me to do.  If they choose not to accept my love, then that is on them.

Now for the question about where was God when the Nazi's were killing the Jews.  I believe He was there with them and conforting them in their pain as He is with all *****quest His help.  As for the innocent babies...they are as you said innocent and I KNOW in my heart that God was there with them and took away their pain.  I am a Christian and I believe that the Jews are the chosen people of God!  I would never presume to try and convert them.  If they ask, I will share my beliefs as I will with anyone.  God loves us all so much that he does not interfere with the free will of man.  He loves you and accepts your right not to want or believe in Him and I respect your right.   Please respect the rights of everyone here sho does love and believe in God and the Lord Jesus Christ.   If you do not believe, then I would never presume to try to convert you.  If you ever want to know why and what I believe, I will share with you.

Okay all you Christians out there, I would like you to live your faith without disrespecting anyone else's beliefs.  If they bash God, I for one think He is big enough to handle it.  If I am asked if I love God and if I am asked to make a choice, I will always choose God...Father, Son and Holy Spirit above all else, but I WILL NOT pu**** in the face of others.

I will sign off as I always do...in Christ's peace.  I feel that and love are His main messages.  Yes, he judged people when He was here on earth and He will judge at the end of time.  It is HIS job not ours.  I will not get off my soap box.

If I have offended anyone, it was not intended, but I WILL apologize because I respect your right to believe what you choose to believe.

I love you all.
As always,
Christ's peace, Connie

Edited to add:  I DO NOT believe that the Jewish people were Christ killers.  Please read the above statement that I believe that the Jewish people are the chosen.  I believe we all take on that roll everytime we commit a sin...for those who don't believe in sin, I'm sorry, but as a Christian, I am also a human being who tries to live morally right, but am realistic enough to know that I DO wrong and I DO sin .  So I am a Christ killer...but I also believe that Christ is risen and is no longer dead.  He did take on the suffering and died for ALL human beings...not just Christians.  It is just up to each individual whether to accept that or not and I choose to accept it.

You do understand that Jews categorically REJECT the concept that Christ was anything but a normal man. So exactly how, then, can your "god" consider us "the chosen people" when we categorically deny the divinity of what you believe is his son.

Yes Draz, I do understand that the Jewish people reject the concept that Christ was anything but a normal man.  My God and your God are the same God.  I believe in what we call the Old Testament and you call the Torah.  I do not know alot about the Jewish faith but am very open to learning.  I know that as a Catholic our roots are Jewish and alot of our traditions come from the Jewish Faith.  The difference that I see is that we or I guess I should speak for myself, believe that Jesus came down to earth and is the Messiah.  I am not a theologian, and I do not just believe what I am told.  I am a praying woman and I have had many, many prayers answered that I KNOW were answers to prayers.  Some of the answers were no and even though I may not have understood it at the time, I came to understand that it was best for me.  I can't really explain it, but I have seen God working in my life.

Now a question for you.  How can you be an atheist and a Jew?  I think, I may be wrong, that one of your posts stated you were an atheist.  Now in your response above, you said, "So exactly how, then, can your "god" consider us "the chosen people" when we categorically deny the divinity of what you believe is his son."  So, are you atheist or Jewish?  Again, I respect whatever your beliefs are and I don't think this is the place to get too deep into theology, but how can you be both?

First of all, while I find most of what you say patently absurd, I want to express my appreciation to you for remaining so polite and measured in your responses.

Now, on to the other issue. I was born a Jew and I remain a Jew. Judaism has a rich history and culture as well as a genetic link to other Jews. In those respects I am and will always be a Jew. I am also an atheist and I adamently reject the proposition that there's any "higher power/god"....the Jewish one or any other. I find all religions laughable as I do the concept that anyone believes in such a fiction.

I hope I've clarified my position on this.

If not, feel free to ask me any questions and I'll be happy to try and elaborate.

Again, thank you for the tone of your posts.

You are welcome here at anytime in my book.  I respect you for what you believe in.  I ask that you respect me for what I believe in.  I guess we have to agree to disagree on this matter, but please know that I am glad you came here and wish you all the best in your life. 

Peace,
Linda

Hey, what is it with you people? You make it hard for me to be my typical caustic self. You're just so damned nice. ;-)

Seriously though, thanks for your friendship and human decency.

Hey, Draz!  Where in NY are you?  I get to NYC every chance I get.  My choir has performed at Carnegie Hall three times.  Right now I am busting to get there before February to see Patti Lupone in GYPSY!  I worked with her a couple of times and she is a blast! 

JOHN

Now, now, Draz, you KNOW they see you as Lucifer come to "test their faith."  You can't go getting all nicey.  They'll just see that as another ploy of the devil.  Bezzlebub can quote scripture at will, afterall.

Draz,
I will also start by saying that I appreciate MOST of what you say.  I respect your right to your belief's and I will NOT say your beliefs are absurd and would like to think that you could respect my right to my beliefs and not belittle them.   But I do thank you for your honest answers.

You have clarified the Jewish/Atheist Question.  I have a Christian ex BIL who was born into Judaism and embraces it's rich history also.  I agree that Judaism has a very rich history and culture.  I understand now that you were speaking of heritage and not religion.

I don't feel I need to ask any other questions of you.  I just wish you peace...whether you accept it as Christ's peace is your choice, but I do wish you love, joy and peace in your life. 

You will not be hearing from me on this subject anymore.  As a member of the Alabama Board and as an Alabamian, you and everyone is welcome, but I would like to ask that you would be respectful as I ask that of everyone.  Of course, this is an open forum so you are free to do as you see fit.

Draz and Connie! 

I think a little understanding and tolerance goes a long way. Viva la' difference!