Originally Posted by Marj Ann
[B]...Sorry to have to correct your history on a point, Starman; Jesus was a Hebrew, of the House [linage] of David. It is inaccurate to call Jesus a Jew. The term didn't exist at the time. The land known as Israel was divided into 12, and occupied by each of the 12 tribes; one being Judah [spelling not historically accurate as the languages used contained no letter J]. The terms 'land of Judah', 'Judean' adds to much of the confusion. It's said that historically the 'religion' of Judaism derived from the Pagan Babylonian Talmud [in Christ's time, called 'The Tradition of the Elders'] oral, and VERY 'open to interruption'. Only much later written. I believe it's accurate to say that [separate] sects adhere to EITHER The Torah [compiled from the 7 Books of Moses] , OR The Talmud;, which [to say the VERY least] is LESS than 'complimentary' in references to Jesus, His parentage OR Christians. I suspect it was Talmud -practicing Jews Mr. Gibson was referencing. While no one would condone Mr. Gibson's behavior; others throughout history voiced similar 'sentiments'. An English translation of a manuscript [found in Martin Luther's works housed in the Congressional Library] by Dr. Martin Luther, The Father of the Reformation; makes it clear he was blatantly anti-jewish, and he listed his reasons in his book.
Obviously the subject can't be covered in ' 25-words-or-less'. As a beginning, one must realize there was NO LETTER J in the languages used when the Bible was written. Those the King James Bible calls Jews were in Christ's time more aptly called Pharisees. Rabbi Steven J. Wise is quoted as saying," The return from Babylon and the introduction of the Babylonian Talmud marked the end of Hebrewism and the beginning of Judaism".