[HANASHIR:9138] RE: Jewish organists

[Richard Glauber <richglauber...>]

Hey Adrian,

I think you know that I like and respect you,
especially because you have opinions and are willing
to share them.  However.....

You pulled a classic "straw man" argument at the
beginning of your response to me.  In my rant, I never
said anything about superiority.  I was complaining
about the focus of "us and them" and how pervasive
that is.  I never said anything about anyone's being
"better" than anyone else.  But you imply that I
accuse Jews of feeling superior, then use that to slam
the detractors and self loathing Jews who make that
"classic misunderstanding".   (I think you made the
misunderstanding)

And by the way, how convenient it is to call someone
with a problem with organized Jewry a "self loathing
Jew".  Whether or not you are referring to me is open
to debate, but I would submit that the expression is
the equal of "effete snob" or "nattering nabob of
negativism".  In other words, an Agnew-esque brush off
of those who differ with the "establishment".  

Finally, you decried my use of "sarcastic extensions"
and then a few paragraphs down, talked about Jews
taking communion???  accordion players busting into
song at the library???  Hmmmmm.

I agree with you when you say "some exclusivity is not
a bad thing".  My point is that the "some" has become
too hefty a sum.  It's too much for me personally to
feel comfortable with.  

Take care,
Rich


--- Adrian Durlester <durleste (at) home(dot)com> wrote:
> Rich:
> 
> There is nothing in my attitude that suggests
> superiority. That is a classic
> misunderstanding of the basic tenets of Judaism,
> most often used by
> Judaism's detractors and self-loathing Jews. If
> anything, the chosen-ness of
> Judaism is a burden, not a mark of superiority.
> 
> And I never suggested that one MUST be a Jew to play
> Jewish music. Sarcastic
> extensions are absurdities. Anyone can play
> anything. But there are levels.
> Can I play the accordion like you can? No. So what
> you play will likely
> sound better than what I might play on the
> accordion. Does that make either
> of us superior? No, just different. And different is
> OK.
> 
> I will always argue that SOME exclusivity is not a
> bad thing. If there is no
> exclusivity allowed, ever, then we might as well all
> pack it in and go home.
> Should I, a practicing Jew, expect to be able to
> receive communion? Should a
> smoker be permitted to smoke in a non-smoking area?
> Should accordion players
> be permitted to simply burst into song in a public
> library reading room?
> Being a member of a particular group is always bad?
> Since when?
> 
> I received my theology degree from a nominally
> Christian divinity school. I
> doubt any of my former classmates there would accuse
> me of simply giving lip
> service to interfaith issues. I don't consider
> myself superior in any way
> because I am a Jew.
> 
> I am saddened you are uncomfortable with the yoke of
> covenant, but, by all
> means, do as you will. One can say what they want
> about Judaism and it's
> faults, and we have many, but, unlike Babylon,
> Greece, Rome, Torquemada &
> Hitler, we're still here. That's gotta mean
> something. Being chosen works as
> well as any other explanation for me. But we're not
> the only ones still
> around.  Judaism's daughter religions are still
> around thousands of years
> later. So chosen-ness doesn't automatically equate
> with "better-ness."
> 
> Adrian
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org]On
> > Behalf Of Richard Glauber
> 
> ------------------------ hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
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