An Asian Christian woman living in London blogging about the everyday issues of religion

Tuesday 5 August 2014

How does a Christian mom teach her child values, even over Romanian gypsies?

I am on holiday in Brussels with my daughter and we came across a mother and toddler yesterday sitting on the pavement begging. I gave them some money and went into a shop situated behind them which sold handmade biscuits. As I passed by the mother and child on my way out it occured to me that the child is growing up watching everyone around him go into and out of shops while he acts as a pedestrian to life. One of the things I cannot stand in life is injustice of any sort. I opened my bag of biscuits and was struck in a heartfelt way by how the mother quickly took a biscuit for her son but none for herself. I gave her the whole bag.

Today we came across them again and the mother encouraged the boy to greet us. He came towards us for a hug. I went into a toy shop and bought some toys for the boy. I informed the toyshop shop assistant about what I was doing because the mother and toddler were sitting outside her shop. I was afraid that allegations of theft would be made against them once I had gone my merry way. The shop assistant was extremely disapproving of my actions because 'Romanian Gypsies are all thiefs'. My answer was that as a Christian mum I felt a great need to do something for them.

People walking past looked disapprovingly at me when I handed the little boy his presents. His joy was enough for me. My daughter was embarassed. I told her that at the end of the day none of those people passing by mattered. What counted was being a Christian at all times and that this state of being translates into actual acts of doing something for those in lesser situations than us.
 

Friday 1 August 2014

'When Genocide is Permissible' published in Times of Israel today then deleted following outcry


When Genocide is Permissible
YOCHANAN GORDON AUGUST 1, 2014, 5:36 PM

J udging by the numbers of casualties on both sides in this almost one-month old war one
would be led to the conclusion that Israel has resorted to disproportionate means in
fighting a far less- capable enemy. That is as far as what meets the eye. But, it’s now
obvious that the US and the UN are completely out of touch with the nature of this foe and are
therefore not qualified to dictate or enforce the rules of this war – because when it comes to terror there is much more than meets the eye. I wasn’t aware of this, but it seems that the nature of warfare has undergone a major shift over the years. Where wars were usually waged to defeat the opposing side, today it seems – and judging by the number of foul calls it would indicate – that today’s wars are fought to a draw. I mean, whoever heard of a timeout in war? An NBA Basketball game allows six timeouts for each team during the course of a game, but last I checked this is a war! We are at war with an enemy whose charter calls for the annihilation of our people. Nothing, then, can be considered disproportionate when we are fighting for our very right to live.

The sad reality is that Israel gets it, but its hands are being tied by world leaders who over the past six years have insisted they are such good friends with the Jewish state, that they know more regarding its interests than even they do. But there’s going to have to come a time where Israel feels threatened enough where it has no other choice but to defy international warnings – because this is life or death. Most of the reports coming from Gazan officials and leaders since the start of this operation have been either largely exaggerated or patently false. The truth is, it’s not their fault, falsehood and deceit is part of the very fabric of who they are and that will never change. Still however, despite their propensity to lie, when your enemy tells you that they are bent on your destruction you believe them. Similarly, when Khaled Meshal declares that no physical damage to Gaza will dampen their morale or weaken their resolve – they have to be believed. Our sage Gedalia the son of Achikam was given intelligence that Yishmael Ben Nesanyah was plotting to kill him. However, in his piety or rather naiveté Gedalia dismissed the report as a random act of gossip and paid no attention to it. To this day, the day following Rosh Hashana is commemorated as a fast day in the memory of Gedalia who was killed in cold blood on the second day of Rosh Hashana during the meal. They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over. History is there to teach us lessons and the lesson here is that when your enemy swears to destroy you – you take him seriously.

Hamas has stated forthrightly that it idealizes death as much as Israel celebrates life. What other
way then is there to deal with an enemy of this nature other than obliterate them completely?
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL | www.timesofisrael.comNews anchors such as those from CNN, BBC and Al-Jazeera have not missed an opportunity to point out the majority of innocent civilians who have lost their lives as a result of this war. But anyone who lives with rocket launchers installed or terror tunnels burrowed in or around the vicinity of their home cannot be considered an innocent civilian. If you’ll counter, that Hamas has been seen abusing civilians who have attempted to leave their homes in response to Israeli warnings to leave – well then, your beginning to come to terms with the nature of this enemy which should automatically cause the rules of standard warfare to be suspended. 

Everyone agrees that Israel has the right to defend itself as well as the right to exercise that right. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has declared it, Obama and Kerry have clearly stated that no one could be expected to sit idle as thousands of rockets rain down on the heads of its citizens, placing them in clear and present danger. It seems then that the only point of contention is regarding the measure of punishment meted out in this situation.

I will conclude with a question for all the humanitarians out there. Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu clearly stated at the outset of this incursion that his objective is to restore a sustainable quiet for the citizens of Israel. We have already established that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the safety and security of its people. If political leaders and military expertsdetermine that the only way to achieve its goal of sustaining quiet is through genocide is it then permissible to achieve those responsible goals?


http://gregmitchellwriter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/firday-updates-from-top-on-gaza-israel.html

A new low?  Column in Times of Israel with headline:  "When Genocide Is Permissible." Concludes: "If political leaders and military experts determine that the only way to achieve its goal of sustaining quiet is through genocide is it then permissible to achieve those responsible goals?" UPDATE:  They've just removed the post--but stench remains.  Imagine this: Editor there apparently felt this reflect enough of the (largely private) mood in Israel to find it worthy of posting.