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Archive: David Saperstein
Radicalization is not just a Muslim problem
My concern is that the hearing failed to recognize that radicalism is not limited to Islam, nor are most Muslims radical. If this hearing were part of a series of hearings on radicalism it would have be justified; but as an isolated inquiry, it was not.
By David Saperstein | March 11, 2011; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (2)
Diversity is good; Religious tests for office are not
Elana Kagan's Jewishness should not have been a consideration in her appointment. However, should the absence of a Protestant turn into an extended condition of many years, it might well become an issue in American public life, creating distance between the public and the Court.
By David Saperstein | May 14, 2010; 09:01 AM ET | Comments (1)
Respecting the cross and the law
The theft of the Mojave cross desecrates our rule of law as much as it does this religious symbol.
By David Saperstein | May 14, 2010; 08:57 AM ET | Comments (5)
Hate crimes are different
We know all too well that hate crimes are different from other crimes. They are more than individual murders, beatings, and assaults. Rather, they seek to terrorize entire groups of Americans.
By David Saperstein | October 22, 2009; 12:31 PM ET | Comments (82)
No Discrimination With Tax Dollars
The bottom line for all religious organizations: If you feel you must discriminate in one of your programs, just don't accept government funds.
By David Saperstein | September 25, 2009; 11:24 AM ET | Comments (3)
Inclusive Governments, Individual Religions
Government should not discriminate in sanctifying marriages, including those between same-sex couples; religious denominations and faiths should be free to as they see fit in accordance with their faith.
By David Saperstein | August 3, 2009; 06:53 PM ET | Comments (13)
A Pro-Life Position Most Religious People Embrace
Jewish tradition requires that we use all available knowledge to heal the ill, and "when one delays in doing so, it is as if he has shed blood" (Shulchan Aruch, Yorei De`ah 336:1--the authoritative 16th century code of Jewish Law).
By David Saperstein | March 10, 2009; 08:36 AM ET | Comments (4)
A Religious Obligation To Help All Those Suffering -- Not Just The Poor
Judaism is a system of obligations and responsibilities, not rights.
By David Saperstein | March 5, 2009; 02:20 AM ET | Comments (1)
An Elegant Way to Pray in Jesus' Name
David Saperstein | Joel Hunter's DNC prayer struck the balance between personal integrity and respect for diversity.
By David Saperstein | September 2, 2008; 02:06 PM ET | Comments (34)
Politics and Faith Intersect at Saddleback Church
The intersection between faith and politics needs to be navigated carefully
By David Saperstein | August 20, 2008; 03:49 PM ET | Comments (0)
Hagee's Jewish Endorsers
Jews can empathize with Sen. John McCain because we have faced the same dilemma with Rev. John Hagee. No fundamentalist Christian is more overtly supportive of Israel.
By David Saperstein | May 23, 2008; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (184)
Mixed Reactions: One Jewish Perspective
The integration of religion fully into our lives, including the need to use it to address the great moral issues of our time, is something to which Jews can strongly relate.
By David Saperstein | April 27, 2008; 12:17 PM ET | Comments (11)
The Gandhis and Their Moral Blind Spot
Mr. Gandhi’s refusal to even reference the formal state of war that most Arab nations still maintain against Israel . . . reflects the moral blindness of his grandfather regarding Jews and deprives his moral analysis of the power it might otherwise posses
By David Saperstein | January 14, 2008; 05:35 PM ET | Comments (217)
Three Major Blunders in an Otherwise Inspiring Speech
Part of Romney's speech smacked of political manipulation and pandering that marred the contrary points he made elsewhere within the speech.
By David Saperstein | December 9, 2007; 06:26 AM ET | Comments (7)
Doubt Not What a Powerful Tool for Global Justice is Religion
How can anyone doubt the positive impact that the religious community has in addressing these issues? Let me deal with very real ways that day in and day out religion, religious groups, and religious individuals play vital roles in the fields of international relations and humanitarian assistance.
By David Saperstein | December 6, 2007; 03:42 PM ET | Comments (0)
For Some, This is the Wrong Question
I take an agnostic view. I believe that it is unknowable and therefore, asking what comes next is simply the wrong question.
By David Saperstein | October 14, 2007; 02:28 PM ET | Comments (9)
God Embraces Faithful Relationships
Fifty years from now, most religious communities will look back with astonishment on the controversy over same sex relations the way we do today on yesterday's bans on miscegenation.
By David Saperstein | August 23, 2007; 09:16 AM ET | Comments (109)
"You Shall Be Holy"
There is no more exalted formulation of the human condition and our role in the universe than these words of Lev.19:2.
By David Saperstein | August 21, 2007; 02:14 PM ET | Comments (34)
President Bush, Jesus and Social Revolution
Jesus’ call to prioritize the poor, the sick, the prisoner, the hungry speaks to a radical alteration of the social order.
By David Saperstein | May 13, 2007; 01:29 PM ET | Comments (60)
No Impact At All
Does the power of his message of ethics and love change one iota if it is determined that these are his bones?
By David Saperstein | April 9, 2007; 08:49 AM ET | Comments (924)
Let’s Move Beyond Fear
Liberal Jews overwhelmingly believe that gays should not face discrimination in marriage or ordination.
By David Saperstein | March 6, 2007; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (23)
Criticism of Israeli Policy v. Anti-Semitism
Ultimately, it is Israelis who will live or die by virtue of the decisions they make, but we can help by lending our wisdom to their debates of these urgent matters.
By David Saperstein | February 26, 2007; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (72)
Desecrating What God Entrusted to Us
Think of it: There are over 300,000 houses of worship in America! If every one of them engaged in a serious effort to care for the environment what a transformation we would see!
By David Saperstein | February 13, 2007; 04:57 PM ET | Comments (11)
Guidelines for Candidates to Avoid Abusing Religion
Something that must be taken by faith alone does not allow itself to be tested in the free marketplace of ideas, a quality essential for democracy to work.
By David Saperstein | January 26, 2007; 07:18 AM ET | Comments (28)
Religion Has Double Role In Completing Women's March Towards Equality
Jews and Protestants today look back in astonishment that only two decades ago we questioned the fairness and value of ordaining female clergy.
By David Saperstein | January 21, 2007; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (19)
We have failed the test of Just War in Iraq
The value of just war norms is that they help us test the wisdom and morality of wars. It seems clear that in Iraq, we have failed.
By David Saperstein | January 20, 2007; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (5)
My Father, A Rabbi With His People
Only congregational clergy interact with someone from birth to death, in good times and bad...What a magnificent calling!
By David Saperstein | January 8, 2007; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (23)
Don't Confuse Public Square With Government Square
The notion that there is a war on Christianity, a war on Christmas, or an effort to sanitize all mention of religion in public is simple bewildering and belied by what I see and hear every day
By David Saperstein | December 19, 2006; 12:15 PM ET | Comments (7)
Strengthening Moderates in All Faiths
Since more extreme voices dominate the media, we can lift up and give support to moderate voices more effectively than we have done, providing access to media outlets and training in the use of new technologies for spreading moderate voices
By David Saperstein | November 30, 2006; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (20)
Interfaith Thanksgiving Services Made Jews Feel Welcome
The ritual of sitting at a holiday family meal at home fits comfortably with Jewish practices of such meals during the High Holidays and, of course, the Passover Seder.
By David Saperstein | November 23, 2006; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (10)
