Jonathan D. Sarna

Jonathan D. Sarna

Professor American Jewish History, Brandeis University

"On Faith" panelist Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and Director of its Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. Sarna served two terms as chair of Brandeis' Department of Near Eastern & Judaic Studies. He now chairs the Academic Advisory and Editorial Board of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives and is chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia . Before returning to his alma mater to teach in 1990, Sarna was on the faculty of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati from 1979-1990. There, he was Professor of American Jewish history and Director of the Center for the Study of the American Jewish Experience. He has also taught at Yale University , where he earned his doctorate in 1979, at the University of Cincinnati , and at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem . The Forward newspaper named Sarna one of America 's 50 most influential American Jews. He has written, edited, or co-edited more than 20 books, including the acclaimed American Judaism: A History, which won the Jewish Book Council's “Jewish Book of the Year Award” in 2004. Close.

Jonathan D. Sarna

Professor American Jewish History, Brandeis University

"On Faith" panelist Jonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and Director of its Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program. Sarna served two terms as chair of Brandeis' Department of Near Eastern & Judaic Studies. more »

Main Page | Jonathan D. Sarna Archives | On Faith Archives


Friend to Israel; Enemy to Anti-Semites

Thanks to Falwell, support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism, became dominant features of Evangelical Christianity.

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All Comments (114)

Brin:

Hello, nice site :)

Brin:

Hello, nice site :)

maria:

so much jealousy i hear here. the man was a real friend of the jews and so am i. he meant enemies of the jews like most people who write here. shame on you.

victoria:

and actually from the standpoint of gods position- the sins of the father are not visited upon the children- but the blessings of the father are only extant for 7 generations.

paul had his own agenda that was not honored by the apostles of jesus(ata),(they let him rot alone in jail, remember?) the major split being how he decided himself that gentiles should be recipients of jesus(ata) salvati0on, something jesus(ata), no matter how you search, really didnt say.

victoria:

wel, thats my point, this is indeed a far stretch by any reasoning- and hardly a clear discussion- also, its the writings of paul and thats another issue (as paul took it upon himslef to admit gentiles and non-circumcised men into the fold at the opposition and eventual split between the apostles and himself)

jesus(ata) also said he had come to the lost sheep of the house of israel-
so it still stands the same-
(jesus(ata) never spoke about the "fullness of the gentilies)

but it still means the jewish people wil have to become christians to partake of their portion of israel.

so however you paint it, it is still the same situation-
the holy land is only available to the jewish people if they convert, otherwise, theyll be of the infidels slain in revelation.

Someone:

Victoria:

Most people, including most Christians, seem to be unaware, or uneducated, about the verses in Romans chapter 11. There is a very clear discussion about this issue of salvation, and whether it applies to Jews. In summary, verses 25 - 29 state:

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
"THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
"THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."

From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;

for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.


victoria:

i have found it a stramge and it must be an uneasy alliance between the christian right and zionist jewry, both of their views of the eventual fate of their place in the holy land is exclusive, and at some point must neccesitate the annihilation of one or the other, the judaic (tanakh and all that encompasses)view is that it will be a sanctuary for only jewish people, and the christian future requires that at the armageddon all non-christians will be righteously eradicated.

it must be a very wary and odd partnership indeed.
i guess this issue is delicately sidestepped, or just unconsciously ignored as long as it is politically expedient.
your enemies enemy isnt really the one who shows up to help you on moving day.

Anonymous:

"Oh, and by the way, don't give Jimmy Carter so much credit, he didn't come up with it."

Right, someone, you have got tons on this American President and noble winner...

He told the truth and got slammed by the neo-fascist Zionists in the media and think tanks as an "anti-semite"

Dont, want to talk about facts, someone? Fine with me...read President Carter's book.

A please refute the charge that the Neo Con movement is highly zionist and found and lead by Jewish intellectuals....

Who cares about the Iraq dead, right? Just part of progress for the region and peace for Israel.

A small price to pay...


Someone:

And it's Likud, not Lukid.

Someone:

Anonymous:

I never said David Duke "coined the phrase". I said you joined his ranks, along with the others, since they all support the allegations against Israel of apartheid. Oh, and by the way, don't give Jimmy Carter so much credit, he didn't come up with it.

You are getting quite hostile; what's the matter, can't handle the truth? Your arguments are based on the rants and ravings of bigots and self-important sensationalists. The truth is out there, you only need to look for it...

Anonymous:

You idiot....it is Jimmy Carter - the noble peace prize winner - not david duke that coined the phrase.

A member of the Lukid party are you, someone?

All criticism must be silenced!!!!!!!

Someone:

Anonymous:

An apartheid state? Congratulations, you have just joined along with the ranks of David Duke, Paul Grubach, and the members of Jew Watch. You must feel right at home.

Anonymous:

Someone,

Please think about this....

Do you think the govt of Isreal would like foreign Arabs by their land back that was stolen from them through war and "agreements" with the British Empire.

Doesnt make much sense.

If it is true, perhaps I will raise some cash to by a couple of acres and start a Palestinian settlement in the middle of Israel!!!!

HA!

Only Isrealis can steal land and start settlements.

Someone:

Anonymous:

Again, there are no restrictions on the purchase of private land in Israel. Israeli Arabs or non-citizens, including Arab foreigners, may freely purchase it.

And so what is the REAL purpose of the colored license plates, according to the wisdom of Anonymous?

Anonymous:

1.Palestinians cannot buy land.

2. "although their marriage licenses are not recognised" - so they cannot marry legally under the state if they marry outside their race...

3. "Different coloring and lettering on license plates are used to signify different parts of Israel that the cars come from." This does not fool anyone as to the real purpose....

"show me your papers!"


It is an apartheid state....and none of your spin can change that fact.

Someone:

Anonymous asked:

"Can a non-Jew by land in Israel?"
ABSOLUTELY

"Can Israeli Jews marry Christians or Muslims and still be citizens?"
YES, they are still considered citizens, although their marriage licenses are not recognised.

"Are Christians and Muslims license plates marked to they can easily be identified as non- Jew?"
NO. Different coloring and lettering on license plates are used to signify different parts of Israel that the cars come from. Just like in the U.S. where we put state and county names on our license plates.

You're spreading rumors.....


Anon:

Influential? If the newspapers influence you, I feel sorry for you!

Anonymous:

OK - Anonymous,

Point out two more influential papers with educated and policy making groups in this country....

Anonymous:

From one Anonymous to another:

Not everyone in this country reads or cares about the Post or the Times.

Anonymous:

Jon and Jerry will meet again in a hot place, and it won't be Miami beach!

Anonymous:

Jon and Jerry will meet again in a hot place, and it won't be Miami beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

I guess Jonathan will reunite with Jerry in a hot place... and it won't be Miami Beach!

Anonymous:

Couple quesitons for Someone:

Can a non-Jew by land in Israel?

Can Israeli Jews marry Christians or Muslims and still be citizens?

Are Christians and Muslims license plates marked to they can easily be identified as non- Jew?

These sound like policies that the Aryans or Nazis would love!!!!

Pure blood lines and keeping those who are not part of your group identified as such.

Anonymous:

Sheen, you are the idiot.

Look at the work of the Post and Times leading up to the war that would take of a major threat to Israel.

They were an accomplice to the Neo Cons and their lies on WMDs and al queda connections that were never there.

Got news for you, an editor/owner picks what stories are on the front page and which are burried in the paper.

If you dont think this makes a difference then you are an idiot.

People love to say it is a conspiracy when you point out Jewish males majority in Media - until you point out the facts....then they try to tell you this doesnt affect the news!!!! Give me a break!

Sheen:

Anonymous, you are such a bigoted, brainwashed imbecile. The Jews are not to blame for the war in Iraq. The Jews are not to blame for all the troubles in this world. Why does it bother you so much to see Jews in high positions in this country? Would we be better off if Catholics were in charge of the companies you mentioned above? There are MANY media companies in this country these days, and MANY of them do not have Jewish presidents. The last name or religion of the president of these media companies means nothing, no matter what people like you may say. It is anti-semitism to immediately think that a Jew in a position of power will immediately make decisions to sway toward the advancement of the state of Israel.

Someone:

Peacetroll:

The Khazars JOINED up with already existing Jews of Middle Eastern ancestry who were travelling through that region. The Jews who travelled through the European countries became known as Ashkenazi Jews. They are not of Khazari ancestry. Don't believe Ben Freedman's writings as a history lesson.

Your information about Israel is incorrect. First, you stated earlier that 95% of Israel is atheist. In actuality, 76.1% of Israelis are Jewish; 16.2% are Muslim; 2.1% are Christian; 1.6% are Druze; and 3.9% unclassified.

Now, if when you use the word "Zionists" you mean people who support the state and government of Israel, they are hardly "running this country" as "monarchs". We support the governments of many countries whose governments are not run like ours; singling out Israel for that reason is anti-semitism.

Of course there is no reasoning with you; you take the word of people like Freedman as historical fact. That is a shame.

Anonymous:

Ah, the illusion of choice is great in this country!

Anonymous:

Two more:

Wall St Journal and Fox!

Anonymous:

psss...I am not talking about a consipracy...look at the facts of the AMERICAN media, Jihadi..

TV:
NBC - Zucker

CBS - Mooneves

WB - Meyers

MTV and Comedy Cen - Redstone

NEWSPAPERS:

New York Times - Sulzberger

Washington Post - Graham

US News and World Report - Zuckerman

LA Times, Chicago Trib - Zell

MOVIE STUDIOS:

Warner Bros - Meyers

Paramount - Grey

Universal - Zucker

Dreamworks - Geffen


Tip of the iceburg....if you control the message you control the people.

"Well, the NYTs said the war was necessary and they liberals!"


Jihadist:

Anonymous

Cluster bombing the media are we?

You have a choice of which books, magazines and newspapers to read; which TV networks to watch; and which blogs to go to.

At least one billion Catholics in the world.
At least one billion Muslims in the world.
At least one billion Chinese in the world.
At least one billion Indians in the world.
Less than 25 million Jews in the world and they control everything globally from the media to the banks.

I don't know about you, but if that is true, I am very, very impressed.

Pssst.. in Japan, the banks are dominated by Ainu Jews. All the Al Jazeera reporters are Shepardic Jews. Bollywood is dominated by Tamil Jews. Could go on but....

Sleep it off and sleep well Anonymous.

Anonymous:

If American Catholic groups lied and created policy to bring the US into a war to serve the interest of the Vatican....do you think that someone in the press would point this treachery out?

I think so!

So why has the current press not done the same with Jewish interests and the fact that NeoCons are zionists?

Why was the paper on the influence of the Israeli lobby given no air time?

To point out obvious treachery within part of a group is not racism...it is telling the truth when our "free press" refuses to do so.

The moto of this press and NeoCons should be "never ask why"

Viejita del oeste:

speed123
And your point is? Last time I looked, no Iraqis were lobbing rockets into any US backyards, as the Palestinians are into Sderot. That gives us much more leisure to make philosophical judgments about what Israel should be doing...Over there, the debates are not about philosophy.
JBE,
your analysis is all too accurate.

Anonymous:

Perhaps "cluster bombing" would be a more appropriate term of attack since we are talking about Zionists....

This is not just the NeoCons Mr. Jihad.

This is the American Press and its majority Jewish owned publications such as Newsweek, NYTs, the Post, US News and World Report, Time, The LA Times and countless opinion piece writers such as Safire, Friedman, Brooks, Cohen....

When NBC, CBS and Fox are not shoving holocaust stories down American throats or stories "proving" the existence of WMDs, they are putting up warning against evil Muslim men and their hate for the "American way of life".

This is propaganda the Goebbles himself would approve of.

Are these people to be blamed for the million Iraq dead? Men, women and children in an effort to "advance" the region and secure the Jewish State.

Lay waste to Iraq and then Iran and Syria and destroy millions of Muslim lives and families....so long as we protect the Jewish "homeland"?!

Jihadist:

Anonymous

Step back a bit.

And we all have read Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilization" too.

I do know what you are talking about. What you are saying is already widely reported and written in the Arab/Muslim world even before 9/11. The Muslim world's intelligentsia and media have their antennas up and radar functioning since Huntington's essay in Foreign Affairs and subsequently expanded into a book.

The neo-cons made no secret of their intent and purpose and publicize them widely in speeches and reports. Including the infamous Project for the New American Century. And Netanyahu's "Clean Break" paper that also form the genesis for that.

We all have our divergent views on the Middle East. Yes neo-cons are regretabble in their assumptions, presumptions and hubris on and for the region. Yes, their mistakes cause deaths and destruction in Iraq. Yes, their adventuring cost US taxpayers billions and lives of US servicemen too.

Let us not feather and tar any group indiscriminately. The anger at neo-cons is beginning to sound like unjust vilifications against all Jews here, regardless of their personal stance and views on Middle East issues.

Blaming the Jews for all the problems in the world is intellectual dishonesty and laziness. There are Jerry Falwells in Christianity. There are Rabbi Kahanes in Judaism. There are Osamas in the Muslim world.

As for the neo-cons, I have nothing nice and polite to say about them. They are beyond belief -in terms of faith, ideology and actions.

It we must, let it be "smart targetting" of individuals for their views and actions instead of "carpet bombing" of whole peoples.

Anonymous:

Who is up next....who is the media and hollywood currently vilifying and de-humanizing????

IRAN

Anonymous:

....elimination of rivals without spending a dime or spilling a drop of blood....that can be left to the dumb goy Americans.

How to convince the Americans to go to war against a non-threat like Saddam?

Use Feith and Wolfie in the Pentagon and Perle and think tanks in Washington to push false evidence/intel and theories to lawmakers.

Then use Jewish owned press like the Washington Post and NY Times as liberal "witnesses" and cheerleaders to the build up of the war. "Even the NYTs says it is the right thing to do".......

WAKE UP, AMERICANS!!!!! WAKE UP, CHRISTIANS!!!!!

Anonymous:

"Just because some neo-cons happened to be Jewish...."

We are not talking about just a couple of NeoCons:

Jewish men are the LEADERS and FOUNDERS of the movement that was started by professor named Strauss at the University of Chicago.

This is similar to the role Jewish intellectuals founded and lead the anti-Christian Bolshevik movement in Russia. Now their focus is on the Middle East and Islam.

Funny how the media does not point out this connect to the Americna people.

It is also interesting that you mention Bernard Lewis....also another Jewish scholar and NeoCon founder.

The Iraq war was not for democracy or non-existant WMDs it was to start another upheval and to make sure that Israel dominates the region through the elimination of rivals...

Jihadist:


Just because some neo-cons happened to be Jewish does not absolve Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld from going along with the grand design for the the Middle East. They are not Jewish and are President, Vice-President and former Secretary of Defence respectively.

There are American Jews who oppose the invasion of Iraq, who raise on the conduct of Israel re human rights abuses and treatment of Arabs in the occupied territories and within Israel itself. Israelis themselves do question and protest their government's stance on war and peace.

That said, academics can be partisan too politically. Prof. Sarna is not an exception. But it can raise questions on their academic credibility and objectivity.

For example, Bernard Lewis is lauded, respected and listened to by the US establishment. However, he is widely regarded by the Arab world to be a neo-imperialist partisan academic.

Edward Said is respected in the Arab world because what he wrote is truer on what Arabs think and feel. It is better to read his works to grasp the Arab perspective of its past and recent history.

Besides, Bernard Lewis, predicted the end of the world last year. The supposed end came and went. Shame on him.

Right now, Prof. Sarna is right up there with Bernard Lewis of Middle East "experts" for me. But I hope to see better essays from Prof. Sarna subsequently in On Faith sans rose-tinted political partisanship.

Frank Colins,
What does Islam has to do with this article? why do you attack Islam on every turn? Any thing personal? Finally why did the romans forget to throw you to the lions?? We would not otherwise have to hear your boring stale redundancies on every thread...

Yahudite:

peacetroll

If Ashkenazi Jews are descents from the Khazars, then so are the Palestinians because genetic testing shows that Ashkenazi Jews and Palestinians are cousins! Today geneticists can trace where people have migrated from, via changes in the Y chromosome and mitrochrondia DNA (maternal lineage). Both paternally and maternally, the Ashkenazi population originally came from the Middle East.

Israel is a majority Sefardi community and "secular" in Israeli terminology doesn't mean atheist but only non-Orthodox!! In fact there is Secular Yeshiva in Tel Aviv which teach the Torah.

I am not going respond to the rest of your nonsense about Israeli society.

Asim:

JF was the ultimate EVIL,a racist, zenophopic,full of hate to jews, christians and Muslims;he hated the jews and yet supported the Apartheid Rasict Facist israel-so the jews can be converted later.

HE will not be missed at all.

Anonymous:

....the propaganda used by the Bolsheviks...to spread "freedom" in Russia.

Funny how that revolutions and war for "freedom" was ALSO spearheaded by Jewish leaders...

Anonymous:

Nothing CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY about the influence of AIPAC in political campaigns and US policy towards Israel!

PS - wasnt Perle connected to a government employee convicted of spying for Israel? I think so...

Why are all the head Neo Cons Jewish? Wolfowitz, Perle, Feith, Libby, Abrhams, Adleman...

And why are all their mouth-pieces and war cheerleaders from major papers like this one also Jewish? Friedman, Brooks, Safire, Krauthenhammer, Applebaum, Cohen, Hitchens...

Perhaps they wanted to remake the Middle East - through war, not democracy - so that it could safely dominated by Israel.

They used great key words though: democracy, freedom, elections, terrorism, fundamentalism, threat to America.

All LIES!!! And lies that did not pan out as they had hoped.

Bruce W. Haupt:

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISRAEL AND ITS PLACE IN THE MODERN WORLD ARE SOMETIMES AS CONFUSING AND CONTRADICTORY AS WAS/IS THE PERSON OF JESUS.
------------------------------------------------

In reality, there are 3 Jesus's of Nazareth.

----------------

The first is the Historical Jesus, namely the Jesus that can be reconstructed from what is correctly or otherwise written about him, preferably using methods one can find set forth in books like [a] Bart D. Ehrman, MISQUOTING JESUS -- The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (2005) HarperSanFrancisco [b] John P. Meier, A MARGINAL JEW -- Rethinking the Historical Jesus [Multi-volume](1991, et. seq.) Doubleday-Anchor Bible Reference Library [c] John Dominic Crossan, THE HISTORICAL JESUS -- The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant [Multi-volume] (1991, et. seq.) HarperSanFrancisco [d] John Davidson, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS -- In Search of his Original Teachings (1995) Element Books Ltd., Rockport, Ma. [e] Raymond E. Brown, THE DEATH OF THE MESSIAH -- A commentary on the Passion Narratives [Multi-volume] (1994) Doubleday.

The second is the Jesus of faith which would include the Jesus as preached from the pulpit, [fire and brimstone, etc.] or as seen in the heart or conscience of the beholder, though that Jesus can be at considerable variance, for what someone BELIEVES is very, very important [be it 'correct' or otherwise.]

The third Jesus is the Real Jesus, [the Jesus that is arguably impossible to know, for we were not there] the very same Jesus who walked in person teaching, healing and causing considerable chaos for the existing ruling Jewish elite, the Sanhedrin.

Of course Jesus was a Jew and a Rabbi and while he clearly challenged the authorities of his day, this commentator personally sees no evidence that he came [to Earth] for the express purpose of creating a religion separate and distinct from his native Judaism. That would occur only after the crucifixion and especially after the death of Stephen the Martyr.

When most Christians speak of Jesus, they BELIEVE they are talking about Jesus #3 [the Real Jesus], but in fact they are usually speaking of Jesus #2 [the Jesus of faith -- as they BELIEVE] which is probably the MAJOR REASON why there is so much disagreement among Christians about WHO JESUS WAS and/or WHO THEY WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE JESUS WAS.
___________________________________________

So, when I am asked WHO WAS JESUS OF NAZARETH, I like to ask WHICH JESUS OF NAZARETH do you mean?
___________________________________________

Rest in peace Jerry Falwell.

JBE:

Fallwell was a friend to the most radical and evil elements of my faith in Israel. He befriended those who would deny Palestinians running water and freedom. He assisted those who would steal land and kill civillian palestinians. He pumped money in to assure the Palestinians would never have a homeland. Fallwell was one of those so called and would-be christians that move towards the holy land in preparation to TAKE IT OVER.

THAT is UNCHRISTIAN and SATANIC.

Jerry Falwell was a smiling, EVIL, thieving man

speed123:

"It is easy for us sitting here in the US to recommend that Israel "hold tough" when we do not have to live in their neighborhood and deal with their neighbors."

Hate to point out the obvious here but have you seen the news lately, Viejita? Does Iraq ring a bell.

I have read "securing the realm" and one of the main objectives was staking out Saddam as a threat to Israel and to bring "democracy" to the region - i.e. setting up puppet regimes that ensure Israeli homogeny.

This was why the Neo Cons (Wolfie, Feith and Perle etc) focused on Iraq over real threats and also used false evidence to convince the American people to go to war.

If anyone has been used in this relationship, it is US treasure and blood used for Israel - not the other way around.

Let your congressman/woman know how you feel about AIPAC and $$$ blind $$$ support for Israel in our government.

Anonymous:

Frank Collins

You, sir, suck donkeys. You are evil; not Islam. To equate an entire religion with evil shows your ignorance, idiocy and contempt for reason and rational thought..OH wait!! You must be a Republican! Never mind!

Lombardi:

Ummmm...Am I the only one on this thread who picked up on this quote in the article?

"But over time, as worldwide antisemitism waxed and support for the State of Israel waned.."

By his own construction, anti-semitism grew and tolerence faded.

It says exactly the opposite of what the author (supposedly)intends. He is the one being published and he makes an error like that? Seems he is mixed about many things...his vocabulary being the least of them.

Viejita del oeste:

Anon
You make a good point. Part of the reason Israel should not trust the evangelicals or the neo-cons. It is easy for us sitting here in the US to recommend that Israel "hold tough" when we do not have to live in their neighborhood and deal with their neighbors.
I haven't read "A Clean Break" but I'll look it up...
Again, one of Israel's biggest problems is the support of false friends with unfriendly agendas.
OK, gotta go make a living.

Anonymous:

Google/read the following paper by Douglas Feith and Richard Perle:

"A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm*"


*the "realm" is Israel!

Anonymous:

I say it again:

Evangelical + Jewish relations = Rise of the Neo Conservatives

Wolfowitz, Feith, Abrhams, Perle, Libby, Adleman, Kagan, Kristol. All Jewish zionists hawks backed by Evangelical politicians!

Rise of NeoCon power = the Iraq War!

One million Iraqi dead!
3500 American dead!
Billions in profits to military industries and contractors!

Stephano C.:

Since dual loyaties are ok, then I am going to proclaim mine, one for the U.S. and one for my old country Italy. I don't think nobody would care, I have to flags, two anthems, two nationalities, I can vote in both countries and I can serve both at the same time. Therefore, my oath of allegiance when I was granted citizenship was just a mere formality, wasn't it?.

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I ABSOLUTELY and ENTIRELY RENOUNCE and abjure all ALLEGIANCE and FIDELITY to any FOREIGN prince, potentate, STATE or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear TRUE FAITH and ALLEGIANCE to the SAME; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

Harry:

If I'm reading this article right....you are absolving JF of years of BS because he supported Israel? BS! Our unconditional support of Israel has always concerned me anyway. A country the size of New Jersey holding so much sway over our politics is concerning. Also, the "over"reactionaries that are quit to call anybody anti-semitic is concerning
JF said what he said...did what he did...no excuse because he likes Israel.....bunch of hog wash!

Viejita del oeste:

One of the posters here mentioned that Sarna seems to conflate anti-semitism with not supporting Israel. Falwell was a good example of the reverse, an anti-semite who supports the most warlike, rejectionist factions of Israeli government.

He was anti-semitic if you feel his assumption that any Jew who didn't accept Jesus as his personal saviour, like any other non-Christian, was going to Hell. That certainly seems anti-semitic to me. There are two trains of thought in Christian fundamentalism, both based on the clear fact that Christianity is based on Judaism. One is that we don't have to worry about the Jews because G-d has a special plan for them, and the other is that Jews are the group that most urgently needs to be converted and Christianized. Falwell was in the latter camp.

I am certain that he meant well, but Falwell was in no way a supporter of the true and long-lasting survival of the Jewish state.

Peacetroll, Your misunderstanding of what goes on in the middle east and in the rest of the world is so profound that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll leave it to Norrie who seems to have the patience of the Buddha.

Peacetroll:

Stop melding anti-Zionism and anti-semitism

It is argued that "drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis" is in itself anti-semitic. Now, it might arguably be offensive, but why anti-semitic? In her book The War Against the Jews, Lucy Dawidowicz reports that it was the position of the SS that "the Zionists adhere to a strict racial position, and by emigrating to Palestine they are helping to build their own Jewish state". Is it anti-semitic to point out that "ethnic cleansing" and the transfer or forced migration of civilian populations was also Nazi policy; or that only in Israel and Nazi Germany were Jews barred from marrying non-Jews?

And it is supporters of the Israeli state itself who have regularly made comparisons between the Palestinians and the Nazis. Who can forget when in 1982 the Israeli premier Menachem Begin compared Arafat in the siege of Beirut to Hitler in his bunker? How many times has the Holocaust been used to justify the Israeli state?

The report defines anti-semitism as "holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel". Agreed. But is it any wonder that there are some misguided people who criticise the Board of Deputies of British Jews when it holds rallies in the name of the Jewish community in support of Israel's bombing of Lebanon?

http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/1205

Khazars are not real Jews Someone. wake up.

"Here in the United States, the Zionists and their co-religionists have complete control of our government. For many reasons, too many and too complex to go into here at this time, the Zionists and their co- religionists rule these United States as though they were the absolute monarchs of this country. Now you may say that is a very broad statement, but let me show you what happened while we were all asleep."

Benjamin Freedman

http://www.apfn.org/THEWINDS/library/freedman.html

He was a "nut job". Good riddance.

Norrie Hoyt:

PULEEZ,

If you'll tell me what specifically it is that you object to in what I wrote, I'll be happy to respond to you.

At his point I have no idea of what you're talking about.

Norrie Hoyt: