Sadly, I needed to write this reply to an objectionable posting in the Community Voice - a section of the Journal News where anonymous comments are printed, which implies using the abbreviations BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC and AD, shows a hatred of Jesus and Christians by Jews. Apparently, for some it is offensive when those of other faiths do things differently from the Christian majority.
For Jews, it is not always clear what is proper regarding Christians. In Kentucky I met Christians who did not celebrate Christmas. Though I do not celebrate this holiday, wishing neighbors, “Merry Christmas” became a dilemma. Saying, “Merry Christmas” might offend some. By not doing so, others might feel slighted. My solution is to greet those who first greet me, “Merry Christmas.”
Other situations are similarly challenging. The abbreviations BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, the Year of Our Lord) seem to be terms of witnessing that Christians do as part of their faith. It would appear to be untruthful and disrespectful of me to use them.
As for the comment about Jews being “the tail to wag the cow (sic),” the Modern Humanities Research Guide specifies both ways of indicating dates, BC or BCE and AD or CE, as acceptable. Scholars, including those in Christian seminaries, often use BCE and CE.
Finally, Jews do not hate Christians or Jesus. During times of persecution, those who called themselves Christians did terrible things to Jews in the name of Christianity. Naturally, there was anger at the tormentors. Fortunately those times have passed. Sixty-three years after the Holocaust, relations between Israel and Germany are quiet warm. Germany has helped Israel many times in substantial and generous ways. The current Prime Minister of Germany, Ann Merkel, became the first head of any government to formally address the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
Jews are grateful to Christians for many things, including confronting anti-Semitism so it is no longer acceptable in polite society, for support of Jews in Israel and for respect shown in asking to learn about Jewish traditions, including the Passover Seder, thus treating us as spiritual brothers and sisters.
Through our long history, Jews have learned the terrible price paid when people hate one another. Perhaps the hate this individual assumes Jews feel is really what is in this person’s own heart toward those who are different.
For Jews, it is not always clear what is proper regarding Christians. In Kentucky I met Christians who did not celebrate Christmas. Though I do not celebrate this holiday, wishing neighbors, “Merry Christmas” became a dilemma. Saying, “Merry Christmas” might offend some. By not doing so, others might feel slighted. My solution is to greet those who first greet me, “Merry Christmas.”
Other situations are similarly challenging. The abbreviations BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, the Year of Our Lord) seem to be terms of witnessing that Christians do as part of their faith. It would appear to be untruthful and disrespectful of me to use them.
As for the comment about Jews being “the tail to wag the cow (sic),” the Modern Humanities Research Guide specifies both ways of indicating dates, BC or BCE and AD or CE, as acceptable. Scholars, including those in Christian seminaries, often use BCE and CE.
Finally, Jews do not hate Christians or Jesus. During times of persecution, those who called themselves Christians did terrible things to Jews in the name of Christianity. Naturally, there was anger at the tormentors. Fortunately those times have passed. Sixty-three years after the Holocaust, relations between Israel and Germany are quiet warm. Germany has helped Israel many times in substantial and generous ways. The current Prime Minister of Germany, Ann Merkel, became the first head of any government to formally address the Israeli Knesset (Parliament).
Jews are grateful to Christians for many things, including confronting anti-Semitism so it is no longer acceptable in polite society, for support of Jews in Israel and for respect shown in asking to learn about Jewish traditions, including the Passover Seder, thus treating us as spiritual brothers and sisters.
Through our long history, Jews have learned the terrible price paid when people hate one another. Perhaps the hate this individual assumes Jews feel is really what is in this person’s own heart toward those who are different.
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