Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!mit-eddi!rh 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