Report:
According to the Israeli website NRG, MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) tore the New Testament to pieces and then threw it in the trash after the Bible was sent to all 120 members of Knesset by a man named Victor Kalish, who according to NRG specializes in publishing Christian religious texts.
Bibi's Response:
The PM's spokesman Mark Regev said, "We totally deplore this behavior and condemn it outright. This action stands in complete contrast to our values and our traditions. Israel is a tolerant society, but we have zero tolerance for this despicable and hateful act."
DB's Response:
The only person I have a problem with here is Regev. The Christian is allowed to promote his beliefs, and the MK is allowed to say no thank you, as demonstratively as he likes, so long as no one gets hurt. The NT was sent to him. It belongs to him. He can destroy it if he wishes. Also, he's allowed to hate and despise ideas, which is all his destruction of the book was meant to demonstrate. (Unlike all of famous book-burnings in history, Ben-Ami didn't steal the book he destroyed.)
Personally, I wouldn't destroy a book, and I'd have been happier if Ben-Ami had published counterarguments instead of a photo of himself acting like a barbarian. But because the book belongs to him, this should be considered free speech, which is something I protect absolutely.
Search for more information about the NT at4torah.com
 |
| MK Michael Ben-Ari tearing pages from t he New Testament (photo: Itamar Ben-Gvir) |
In the article, Ben Ari is quoted as saying, “This abhorrent book promoted the murders of millions of Jews during the Inquisition and the autos da fé… this is an ugly missionary provocation by the Church, there’s no doubt that the book and its senders belong in the trash of history.”
Bibi's Response:
The PM's spokesman Mark Regev said, "We totally deplore this behavior and condemn it outright. This action stands in complete contrast to our values and our traditions. Israel is a tolerant society, but we have zero tolerance for this despicable and hateful act."
DB's Response:
The only person I have a problem with here is Regev. The Christian is allowed to promote his beliefs, and the MK is allowed to say no thank you, as demonstratively as he likes, so long as no one gets hurt. The NT was sent to him. It belongs to him. He can destroy it if he wishes. Also, he's allowed to hate and despise ideas, which is all his destruction of the book was meant to demonstrate. (Unlike all of famous book-burnings in history, Ben-Ami didn't steal the book he destroyed.)
Personally, I wouldn't destroy a book, and I'd have been happier if Ben-Ami had published counterarguments instead of a photo of himself acting like a barbarian. But because the book belongs to him, this should be considered free speech, which is something I protect absolutely.
Search for more information about the NT at4torah.com
No comments:
Post a Comment