Will see if this new idea works…seems worth a try.

I agree with an applaud the new standard. However, I believe the rule of Kosher is applied directly to the preparation of the food as an object, not as part of a subjective standard. Once justice starts entering the equation they will be hard pressed to find a truly kosher slaughter house.

Good for those folks!

Jesus as L-rd is just a myth. Christianity and salvation is so divisive.
Christians should re-think the whole notion and fairy tale of Jesus as anything other than human.

cknuck, ecl you are both right!

It ain’t what we put in our mouth but what crosses our lips (or gets hit on a keyboard) that becomes the measure of our character. A life free of crustaceans and cheeseburgers or without meat on Fridays simply becomes a way to set each other apart – and sometimes set each other off. But that is just the game of religion. Faith is expressed how you live willingly and without benefit of artificial rules.

No, nnmns, upchuck is not right.
There is nothing at all divisive about the laws of kashrut. Their purpose is in part to enforce that each act you do can be an act of holiness and bringing a person closer to G-d, from how we talk, to how we dress, to how we conduct business, to how we treat others, to how we eat.
Nothing “divisive” there – what an inaccurate statement! It’s just one more act of upchuck’s anti-semitism. Anyone can keep kosher or not keep kosher or keep kosher to the degree one sees fit. It’s a choice.
Asking us to “re-think” one of the very basic things that defines us and makes us what we are is hateful. But I’m not surprised.

And jest, you’re right, but only to an extent.
The laws of kashrut do set us apart, because by definition they are part of what makes us Jews.
What many people fail to comprehend is that we Jews don’t say we’re “better” because we’re kosher – we simply say that the laws of kashrut are simply what defines us as Jews.
On the flip side, I see true divisiveness when it comes to discussion of Christianity and the majority of believers who state that those who don’t accept Jesus and condemned to an afterlife of hell and torment. That means people like me can lead an exemplary life and will still suffer eternal torment due to that lack of faith as Christians see fit.
On the other hand, anyone can keep kosher or buy kosher meat – even Christians….
So now tell me which is truly divisive.

To make another point about how pointedly anti-semitic the “rethink” kosher comment is – why not go ahead and tell Indians and Hindus – “How stupid it is that you don’t eat red meat or beef! Why don’t you re-think that?”
So when my son had an Indian friend over and we made sure we had vegetarian Boca burgers to give him because we come from the perspective of respecting dietary restrictions, maybe we should just have told him, “Sorry, but your dietary restriction is divisive. You should re-think that.”
And oh, BTW, Moslems share all or most of Jewish dietary restrictions, at least regarding shellfish and pork. Maybe we should have a little talk with them too, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…?

Excellent points ecl. Some christians are definitely divisive in the comparison you made in one of your posts, but not all, thankfully.

People who want division will find lines one way or another. I do not think (and have never) that one set of dietary laws or rules makes one group better than another. They are ways to be different. I recall, in the “good ole days” when you were requesting an airline meal, you asked for kosher – it was always better, not morally but tasty and delivcious. The best national brand of hotdogs is kosher – Nathans All Beef! Kosher or kashrut is one more way to do that. It is not better or worse than choosing to fast or diet, or even feast. They are disciplines. Anyone who uses these choices as a measurement for quality of life, worth, or faith is either a fool or a bully.

Phooey, I left out half of my second to last sentence. It should read…
They are disciplines, not punishments.

but not all, thankfully.
Henrietta – absolutely right – not all, thankfully.

They are disciplines, not punishments.
EXACTLY so, jest. Very well worded.
But do you mean Hebrew National hot dogs, rather than Nathan’s?

Actually there is no greater invitation than the invitation of Christ. Christians have made great mistakes but we do not seek to be chosen nor separate. You don’t have to dress a certain way, eat a certain food, or do business in a certain way, with certain people (only honest.) We don’t believe any of this stuff makes us holy and in fact in fact we believe we are sinners and I believe the Kosher angle would make for greater sin opportunities.
Christians are first responders to almost every disaster around the world, we give more than any other group and you don’t have to be Christian to receive our help, nor are you forced to convert. We give to those other than Christians; we’ve given a lot to Israel.
This country is safe and peaceful because Christians here are peaceful, we have learned from our mistakes and we bring peace. We Christians are negotiating with peaceful Arabs and Muslims many are seeing the fighting in the Middle East for what it is and backing away from our support of Israel’s military machine as well as other militant fractions.
If someone said half about Jews as people say about Christians they are called anti-Semitic but we take criticism and grow from it we are called many evil and mean things, we take it, and our way is to love those who hate us and pray for them, not look for an anti whatever law suit.
So when it comes to this Kosher racket nonsense there are a lot of them out there and I am glad they are coming to the light, it’s a deception.

Wow, CK, Christianity sure looks great the way YOU describe it. Unfortunately that is your version. It is not the “be all, end all” religion (or relationship) that you make it sound like.
“This country is safe and peaceful because Chritians here are peaceful, we learned from our mistakes and bring peace.” Really? That’s interesting. How does that explain the men who have shot and killed abortion clinic doctors, or those people who demonstrate in front of the clinics, causing even more pain for the women who have made a very hard decision. How about the pharmacists who refuse to fill the RX written for birth control pills etc. because of their “Christian beliefs”. This is how peace is demonstrated? How about slavery, (Bible said OK)and being able to use the “rod” so as not to spoil your child etc. Peaceful? Non-violent? Sure and the moon is made from green cheese.
Keeping Kosher is an important part of an ancient religion, which helps define who a Jew is (as explained by ecl). (and the food tastes good too!) You claim that “you” (all Christians?) don’t believe any of that “stuff” (as you put it) makes you holy. Great! No one is asking you to do it. However what makes “drinking blood” and “eating bread” (body parts) HOLY? AKA Communion.

One other thing bubalah:
Jews give more per capita than any ethnic group in this country. Most of it goes to non-Jews (you know, people like YOU).
No one would have heard of Darfur if it weren’t for us.
You need to a reality check. Badly.

If being a Xian means being a racist or an anti-Semite, I’d rather not.

Fortunately, Scott R. the example of Christianity in my family did not include any racists or anti-Semites. As with all religions, I think you will agree, there are many versions under the same cloak.

ecl I went back to see if I could defend saying cknuck was right but his original post seems to have been pulled, while your response and all the followups are still there. Unusual.
So I’ll just say you may be right that he was wrong but without seeing it I’m not ready to say so.
My general belief is that religions are divisive. Some, probably, in a pretty harmless way and some not so. Seems to me the more people of a religion consider they deserve special treatment or they must cause everyone else to believe as they do, they more harmful that religion is. I’ll leave it at that for now.

ecl,
Sorry, I meant hebrew National. I wrote that before I got away for a quick lunch and I was hungry. My real favorites are local to New Haven and southern New England – Hummels, all beef, foot long, with skins. They are one of the reasons I am sure there are UFOs – they are coming for the Hummels!
nnmns,
As to religions being divisive – that is basically true. And as soon as one group or another claims special privileges of any sort, I toss them out of my box of acceptable groups. Sure they all claim to want everyone, as long as they are willing to conform one way or another. Thats why I love our UCC, untied or united – we claim no privileges, want everyone as they are, and hope to add a few more besides. The only tepid good news is that Christianity is not exclusive in this behavior.
ck,
I like your description of Christianity. Sadly, it is a coloring book picture, broad open areas. For the most part, Christian History is fraught with exceptions to the portrait you provide. But there is always hope (and where there is Hope there is Crosby – old joke, brain hurt).

Pagansister,
You know I was referring to Upchuck.

Scott’s interesting quote “Jews give more per capita than any ethnic group in this country. Most of it goes to non-Jews (you know, people like YOU).”
jest we all have our history but if you have to reach back to make your point I don’t believe you read my post I said Christians have made mistakes but we both forgive and forget when we are practicing our faith as it should be practiced. We don’t dangle the past to our benefit and to judge others. We don’t pull the anti card when we our actions are questioned. I noticed your rough quote about what goes into the mouth opposed to what comes out and I didn’t expect you to give credit as to where it comes from, but I did expect you to bash Christianity.

“said Christians have made mistakes but we both forgive and forget when we are practicing our faith as it should be practiced.”
In Judaism, it is a sin to forgive someone who doesn’t actually want it.
So long as you (as in certain Xians)keep on harassing us, try to make us give up our religion, or try to convert us, we will throw your sins in your face, because you haven’t learned from them.

ecl I do the question mark because of the language you choose to use in exchange with me, not only have you used the g-damn expression but several other curses. also, you almost never give me an respectful comment; if you look over almost any intercourse between us you could note that fact. My opinion is my opinion and I not only fought for the right to express it but I also fought at huge cost for every American to have that right. I do have the right to disagree with anything I perceive as misinformation. What I say may seem harsh to you but it is truth to me.

but I also fought at huge cost for every American to have that right.
BS. You look to crush every opinion that goes against yours (see gay people) and destroy religions you don’t like (as in ban kosher).

Yes, Scott R. Did understand. Wanted to mention however that all Xians are not the same, as I know you know.

cknuck,
I have used g-ddamn once and substituted the hyphen.
I can stop using that word.
Lots of people use “curse” words and substitute characters for some of the letters. Still not a reason to say I’m not a “lady”. That’s true, just as much as if I vehemently disagreed with some of your virulent attacks and said, “you’re no gentleman.”
I am also happy to go back to (our)regular screen name.
However, I am no less respectful to you in any way than you are to me, and in fact, feel I have showed significantly more restraint when being attacked both personally and in my religion.
Your disagreeing with me, and my vehement disagreement with you, does not make me less a “lady”, and it’s truly a personal insult for you to have implied so.
Your opinions are no less “extreme” than what you accuse Scott or others of holding. Other people feel just as strongly as you do in their own regard. You don’t seem to respect that.
Let’s please try to take a step back and focus on the specific comments, rather than the person or the religion as a whole. Too much generalizing and off-topic comments are made, and it’s certainly counter productive.