Greetings Brethren:
Peace and Blessings from Almighty
God. Are God's people certain people? Are all of humankind created by God?
There is no Black or White in Heavenly Places. Ethnicity is exclusive to race however
grace and salvation is given to all of humankind that have faith. This gift is
not rendered because of race, works or national origin. The Divine Plan is a
revelation to all that exist. So is first and last and last to first.
Peace,
Carl A. Patton, FreedomJournal
THE ENIGMATIC HEBREWS
Part 7: Judaism Race Or
Religion?
In
the name of God, Master of the Universe, Ruler of the earth.
Is the confusion of race and religion
among the Hebrew people a deliberate attempt to distort history? What can be
gained by claiming that all Hebrews are guaranteed Godliness through Judaism?
Also are there other groups of people on earth that are first distinguished by
religion and secondly by race? Meanwhile, are there any parallels between the
dilemma of Black American racial/religious identity and Hebrew racial/
religious identity?
The record shows that the fusion of
race and religion among the Hebrew people is found in a review of the
historical events of the Divided Kingdom. However, one may ask the question:
Why is it important to distinguish race from religion? The natural order of
Creation notes the ethnic origins of man, however, religion is learned. Thus
man is born Black American, but religion is embraced by free-will. Religion can
be taught, but religion is gained through conversion and acceptance. Thus,
religious conversion is a personal experience. The distinction of race from
religion is important in a discussion of any group of people on earth. However,
because of the history of the Hebrew people as recorded in the Bible this
distinction takes on a special significance.
As one comes into the knowledge of
Truth he becomes involved in an on-going relationship with God. Thus the Godly
person does not conform to the world and is commanded by God daily and through
every breath he or she takes. Simply put Godly people act differently from
worldly people. Thus, they are moved by love for God and their fellow man.
Therefore, race is not the criterion for Godliness. Thus to make this error is
to obscure the Supreme significance of God and mis-represent Truth.
Again we note that to note the
historical development of the confusion of race and religion among the Hebrew
people our discussion is benefited by a review of the history of the Divided
Kingdom. With the death of Solomon, the Kingdom Judah and Israel split apart,
with Israel in the North and Judah in the South.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah was
more stable and its legacy emerged as the mainstream of Judaism. For example
Judah had a larger area and a more homogenous population of Israelites, while
Israel had more foreign elements.
There are also crucial aspects
regarding the exile of the tribes of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah
(Southern Kingdom). The Assyrians who took the Northern Kingdom into captivity
adopted a policy of dis-unity among the people they conquered. Thus they
transported (separated) the nobles and elite to other parts of the Assyrian
Empire. Meanwhile the Assyrians brought to Israel many settlers who mixed with
the local population and caused the end of Israel as an independent people.
Meanwhile the Babylonian exile and
the return of the Hebrew people to Judah (Southern Kingdom) was much different.
The Jews transported to Babylon developed a prosperous life in exile. During
this exile the record shows very important events that have a tremendous impact
on our discussion. The following conclusion and analysis is drawn from data
produced by Jewish historians and theologians.
"During the Babylonian Exile
Jews transformed themselves into ethno-religious groups that could exist
without a Central Temple. This adaptation contributed to the survival of
Judaism."
Several other factors contributed to
the survival of Judaism and the developing ethno-religious doctrine of the
Hebrew people. First the Jews could maintain a sense of identity, without a
central religious shrine through their allegiance to the Mosaic laws. In
contrast the Hebrews in the Northern Kingdom who had previously embraced
paganism thrived among the pagan people among whom they settled. Thus the
Hebrews of the Northern Kingdom when taken into exile easily absorbed into the
local cultures.
The second major factor that allowed
the survival of Judaism in Babylon was the victory of the Persians over the
Babylonians. For example the Persians pursued a policy of religious tolerance.
Therefore they allowed the Jews to return from Babylon and rebuild the Temple
at Jerusalem.
Historically from the days of Moses
Judaism had existed in a nomadic fashion. However since the time of David and
Solomon (10 century B.C.) Judaism was a religion practiced through worship at a
central shrine and Temple at Jerusalem.
The Jews that returned from exile in
Babylon had prospered under the leadership of their nobles and priests who
accompanied them in exile. Jewish life was re-established with the re-building
of the Temple at Jerusalem. All of the Jews did not return, however a peaceful
co-existence developed between the Diaspora Jews living in Babylon and those in
Jerusalem.
The survival of Judaism is noted in
the "ethno-religious" doctrine developed by the Jews living in exile
in the Persian Empire. This transformation gave strength to all Hebrews in the
Diaspora. Thus, are there positive gains for the fusion of race and religion?
Is positive thought regulated to a particular time or place?
Cont. Part 8: The Diaspora: A Multi-Racial People
Return to Enigmatic Hebrews Page
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net