tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24005214.post2060386187006983296..comments2023-10-19T12:25:15.143+01:00Comments on The Osterley Times: Pope's preacher says attacks on Catholics are like antisemitism.Kelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14466059072530968330noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24005214.post-15087591198365298922010-04-05T14:55:02.301+01:002010-04-05T14:55:02.301+01:00Once a religion fuses with a state, we have the pr...<i>Once a religion fuses with a state, we have the problem of criticizing the state being equated with criticizing the religion, and the general view that criticizing a religion is wrong</i><br /><br />I agree, SP. This is what is frequently used as a means of deflecting criticism of Israel's more extreme behaviour. I missed the fact that you were talking of Judaism rather than the Jewish people.Kelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14466059072530968330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24005214.post-45935340629413874972010-04-04T15:48:45.341+01:002010-04-04T15:48:45.341+01:00Once a religion fuses with a state, we have the pr...Once a religion fuses with a state, we have the problem of criticizing the state being equated with criticizing the religion, and the general view that criticizing a religion is wrong.<br /><br />I think once a religion declares itself a state, it inherently discriminates against all of the other religions within its borders.<br /><br />It's hard to say whether the atrocities of Israel should be attributed to Judaism as a whole or not. I don't see many Jews denying that it is their state nor do I see many criticizing its hypocrisy and oppression. Is it possible for a religion to be bad? If so, then we have to be free to criticize them.<br /><br />If there is a parallel to be drawn here it is that both Israel and the Vatican are hiding behind their nationhood and accusations of religious persecution in order to cover for their crimes. If they succeed, we will see more concentration camps and sexual abuse from priests.Steel Phoenixhttp://www.theallegator.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24005214.post-23833106747157707482010-04-04T05:55:43.953+01:002010-04-04T05:55:43.953+01:00I did find his comparison with anti-Semitism rathe...I did find his comparison with anti-Semitism rather extraordinary. <br /><br />And I have no difficulty with the Jewish people wanting their own state, it's the fact that they continue to take more and more of the Palestinian people's land which bothers me.Kelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14466059072530968330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24005214.post-39182206139305939102010-04-03T17:09:20.741+01:002010-04-03T17:09:20.741+01:00I don't see why either of these groups think t...I don't see why either of these groups think they have any right to avoid criticism. I don't care who their imaginary friends are, if they screw up, I'm going to call them on it and to hell with whatever names they call me.<br /><br />When they make mistakes as individuals, I'll treat them as such, but when they are enabled and/or protected by their church, then what other recourse do we have?<br /><br />On a side note, Judaism as a whole squandered its sympathy when it insisted upon becoming a nation and building concentration camps of its own.Steel Phoenixhttp://www.theallegator.com/noreply@blogger.com