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From: rh@mit-eddi.UUCP (Randy Haskins)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Zionism == Life
Message-ID: <273@mit-eddi.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 23-Jun-83 15:32:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.273
Posted: Thu Jun 23 15:32:35 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jun-83 21:36:57 EDT
References: rdin.287
Lines: 30

Andrew Siegel points out some of Tim Maroney's errors:

    In response to Tim Maroney's claim that Zionism is racism, 
    the following points should be considered:

      o The Jewish religion considers itself just that: a *religion*, not a
	race.  Judaism has always accepted sincere converts, regardless
	of racial origin.

      o Because Jewish law essentially prohibits marriage to non-Jews
	(i.e. those who were not born of a Jewish mother and have not
	converted), it may seem to some shallow-thinkers (read: bigots)
	that this selection of co-religionists as marriage partners is "racist".

I'd say Tim's "error" is that racism is more or less feeling your
group is superior or "chosen" on the basis of under what conditions
and to whom one is born.
Zionism allows you to "choose" to be superior by joining.  Of course,
I would imagine there is some look-down-the-nose given to converts
by the Jewish-born, just as officers from military academies think 
they are superior to reserve officers.

Gee, Tim, it looks like with have to come up with a word that 
translates to "a form of ethno-centrism similar to racism but
that allows anyone to join the ranks of the group."  I'll
start looking in my handy-dandy Roget with cross-referencing
to Webster.  In the meantime, however, racism is a close enough
term in my mind.
				--Randy
				rh@mit-eddie