"The Catholic Church, which spent hundreds of years trying forcibly to convert Jews to Christianity, has come to the conclusion that it is theologically unacceptable to target Jews for evangelization, according to a statement issued yesterday by organizations representing US Catholic bishops and rabbis from the country's two largest Jewish denominations."
A spokesman for the ADL makes the same point I did that when you see others as incomplete unless they follow your religious path, persecution often follows:
". . . . " 'The significance is far more than theological, because for centuries it was the refusal of Jews to embrace Christian teachings that legitimized the persecution, and often murder, of Jews in communities throughout Christendom,' said Robert Leikind, New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League. 'What the bishops have done here is decisively separated themselves from that history and indicated once and for all that Jews have an authentic relationship with God and an authentic mission in the world, and therefore there is no reason for, or logic in, trying to evangelize Jews.' "
However, the Southern Baptists, bless their hearts, are not budging an inch:
" . . . according to spokesman John Revell. ''The drive behind not just the Southern Baptists but all evangelical Christians is the conviction that Jesus Christ is the only way to have eternal life with God the Father, and anybody who seeks eternal life through any other means will fail,'' Revell said. ''There is a misconception that Southern Baptists have targeted Jews. We haven't targeted Jews. Our focus is to get the good news of Jesus Christ to all people, including Jews.' . . . Eugene J. Fisher, the director of Catholic-Jewish Relations for the bishops' conference, said the document issued yesterday acknowledges the divide between Catholics and evangelical Protestants on the issue."
Thanks, Mr. Revell. I always breathe a sigh of relief when Jews aren't targeted. Gee, a great point of contention for another intra-Christian holy war: Should we evangelize the Jews or not? No offense, but us Jews will all move to India for a while until you guys sort this one out. We don't want to get caught in the crossfire.
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