Responding to Religious Fallacy: Misleading, “Tolerant”
Silence vs Concerned Education
Moshe Ben-Chaim
Reader: Dear
Mesora, This article (“Flaws of Christianity”) is contentious nonsense that
will cause hatred between Jews and Christians. Should Christians write articles
saying, " Sinai was a fraud", or "Israel is an invalid state
based on Zionist politics?” How will such wicked speculation help us as Jews?
Isn't there a principle that one must not say that which generates hate?
I am often offended by your total insensitivity to anyone's beliefs but your
own. Isn't being friendly and welcoming to all righteous men part of our law?
Is it welcoming to deny what they so strongly believe?
How exactly do you know whether God spoke to anyone in the Torah other than it
is so written? The same goes for Christians. Jesus said that he is God.
Christians choose to say it. As long as it doesn't cause hate, then that is how
they choose to view life, and YOU and I should be respectful and not shed
blood.
Where is it written that in all human circumstances, you must say to those who
like to befriend our people, that their beliefs are invalid and only ours
are right? Where does it say that the words of your mouth may be words that
incite hate? Where does it say that the arrogant assertion of our own beliefs
to the larger community of all religions is walking humbly with God?
Mesora: I preempt my response by reminding you that
without compromise, we adhere to G-d’s Torah, proven to be divine via the mass
Revelation at Sinai. No other religion contains a valid proof as Sinai. In the
Torah, G-d prohibits above all else, the practice of idolatry. This has many
forms. A most prominent expression is the deification of man, as portrayed in
the form of Christianity. Nothing could be further from reality, that G-d has
any connection whatsoever with physical properties. G-d created the physical
world, and cannot be ruled by, or conformed into physical creation. G-d
commands mankind, not just Jews, that we must educate ourselves against
following our idolatrous, unsupported fantasies, and adhere to only what is
rational and true. G-d also warned man not to alter the Torah, and not to
follow false prophets, who are defined as those who alter the Torah. Jesus
violated these laws of G-d, and Christianity violates these tenets. It is
clear: G-d’s will is that His law be publicly known, and followed by all
mankind.
Silence is no
option, as G-d Himself was not silent on these issues.
You ask, “Isn't
there a principle that one must not say that which generates hate?” Of course one must not create discord.
However, we do not sacrifice truth, because others might become upset. If we
know someone will not listen to ideas, it would be pointless to talk to him.
In every area of our
lives, we are to strive towards the knowledge of truth. G-d created all
mankind, and desires the good for each member. He placed the Jew as the one who
engages in G-d’s Torah, to teach the world. The true good for the Christians is
to be taught that their beliefs are just that, beliefs, with no proofs. They
should be treated with respect, as should all mankind. Teaching a Christian not
to deceive himself with his belief does not violate respect. In fact, it is the
greatest respect to show concern. An honest Christian will appreciate a Jew’s
attempt to enlighten him.
There cannot be many
religions, for the simple reason that there are not many “men”. I mean that
mankind shares one singular design, regardless of race or religion. Just as
man’s physical nature is identical across all races and cultures, so too, his
psychological design is identical. There can be only one ‘best’ life for man,
and Revelation at Sinai is the only event where G-d gave a religion to man.
This system is for all mankind - Jew and Gentile alike. It is G-d’s desire that
the Jew impart knowledge of truths to the world. This does not only mean
teaching new ideas to the unlearned, but it also requires exposing them to
fallacies inherited from their fathers. It is out of a concern and desire to
fulfill G-d’s will that we teach Gentiles G-d’s truths, just as we teach our
own brothers. At times, hearing the truth may upset someone. This is expected.
Man cherishes beliefs held onto for so long. We can only hope that this
disheartened feeling is soon replaced by enlightenment.
I do not suggest
that we approach others with our views without first being asked, but rather,
make them available, should they should inquire. But for purposes of our
website, we are addressing our fellow Jews, as we have a separate Torah
obligation to continually teach and rebuke or Jewish brethren. If a Christian
happens upon our site, and inquires, we spend equal time discussing matters
with him, and we have. We have also received thanks from Gentile visitors for
our efforts. An honest, truth-searching person will appreciate our time in
discussing ideas with him – be he Jew or Gentile. Whether we are wrong or right
on a given point, another person will appreciate our genuine concern for his
well-being.
You say, “Is it welcoming
to deny what they so strongly believe?” I ask you, would you like to believe a
potion is a cure, when in fact it is a poison? Should I not tell you what is
against what you “so strongly believe”?
You switch your
arguments. First, you accuse us of talk which you feel stirs hatred. And this
is your criterion for us to remain silent. Then, you question whether “God
spoke to anyone in the Torah other than it is so written.” You imply if it is in fact true that G-d
spoke only to the Jews, then Christianity would be false. Here, you are
correct. If you study Revelation at Sinai, you will arrive at the conclusion
that Judaism has what other religions do not, i.e., proof of G-d’s revelation.
All other religions are based on the words of one man, claiming to have been
addressed by G-d. Such a claim is bereft of proof, and a rational person should
not live his entire life by such unsupported claims. Similarly, one should not
live his life according to anything unproven. This is foolish, and leads to
harming one’s self.
You write, “Where is
it written that in all human circumstances, you must say to those who like to
befriend our people, that their beliefs are invalid and only ours are
right?” Again, we are not out to
proselytize the world. Regarding other religionists, we take a reactive role,
not a proactive one. Additionally, we are not concerned that “we are right”.
This is infantile thinking. We also do not make considerations towards those
who wish to befriend us, if those considerations will keep them away from
truth. The Jew’s concern is G-d’s will: that others share this good fortune of
G-d’s Torah. If one does not care for another human being, be he Jew or
Gentile, this person is highly flawed. He is simply concerned for his own
happiness, and not others. He is selfish to the highest degree.
Remaining quiet so
as not to create waves is an attempt to selfishly live happily, while others
walk in darkness. When asked, we must respond with truth, assisting others I
the same manner our teachers assisted us.
If you are concerned
for your fellow man, you will follow G-d’s philosophy of showing concern for
others in the form of educating them in new truths, and helping them to see
through fallacy. If someone does not want to hear it, that is his or her choice,
and it is advisable not to pursue discussion. However, a Christian who is open
to benefiting himself, will listen to all new ideas, and will not defend, even
his religion, when he sees truth. Even if he continues to disagree, he should
appreciate our concern for his good.
G-d’s Torah says
that eventually, all men will call unto G-d. G-d desires all mankind to arrive
at truth. This means there is only one truth, i.e., one religion. This also
means that those who possess this correct religion must teach it.