Jews vs. Palestine

[Brian37]

Why Sam Harris doesn't criticize Israel:

I do agree with some of what he is saying here. But "self defense" in this case is moot after 1,000s of years of fighting over that land. Ultimately it still about religion for both sides. I have long since pretty much given up on taking sides. Isreal is certainly more westernized than it's neighbors for sure, so in that context I tend to support them more. But when he says Jews don't believe in a God, and don't take their holy books seriously, then why do they fight over that land? In that context, they are using religion to take more land, and that to me, in that context is no different than when White European Christians invaded the Americas and pushed Natives off their lands. 

Harris is right about Jihadist and Hamas motivations, but two wrongs do not make a right. While one can claim that Jihadist and Hamas are bent on the destruction of Israel and Jews, also remember that our right wing Christians believe Isreal being a state is a sign of the "end times". 

So this video is a mixed bag for me.

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So, he admits that the scripture of the Jews is the most sickening, though he believes that a "Jewish person" doesn't take these texts seriously?

Unlike you, Sam Harris actually met many jews and talked with them about their faith.

I don't think this is an either or situation. There are Jews that DO believe in a God, just that most don't believe in hell. Christians and Muslims are the ones who believe in hell at a far higher rate. But there is no set standard for all Jews. Just like any other religion, there is always going to be different interpretations of the same religion/holy writing. But the idea of "hell" in antiquity for Jews, wasn't a magical place, but more like a "trash dump". 

If a Jewish person says they don't believe in a God, I'll take their individual word for it, but just for that person as an individual. I would also find it absurd to claim the most Orthodox right wing Jews don't believe in a God after watching them pray at the Wailing Wall countless times.