I agree that a lot can be derived about a religion & culture from the teachings its society confers on its members. I've always believed religion is a major cause of conflict in the world, perhaps *the* primary driver. I've seen a lot of people bashing the Koran. If the writing it to be taken literally, rightfully so: there's a lot of racist, intolerant, savage, and downright violent messages in there.
But - is the Talmud, the Jewish holy book, any different?
Traditionally, the Talmud is the supreme sourcebook of Law, as it takes the rules listed in the Torah and describes how to apply them to different circumstances.
Take a look at some of these "holy" instructions taken from the Talmud, and make a judgment on whether these philosophies make a positive impact on its followers.
"The Jews are called human beings, but the non-Jews are not humans. They are beasts." TALMUD: Baba Mezia, 114b.
"The Akum (non-Jew) is like a dog. Yes, the scripture says to honor the dog more than the non-Jew." TALMUD:Ereget Raschi Erod, 22 30.
"Even though God created the non-Jew they are still animals in human form. It is not becoming of a Jew to be served by an animal. Therefore he will be served by animals in human form." TALMUD: Midrasch Talpioth, p 225, Warsaw 1855.
"A pregnant non-Jew is no better than a pregnant animal." TALMUD: Coschen Hamischpat 405.
"Although the non-Jew has the same body structure as the Jew, they compare with the Jew as a monkey to a human." TALMUD: Schene luchoth haberuth, p 250b.
"The souls of non-Jews come from impure spirits and are called pigs." TALMUD: Jalkut Rubeni gadol 12b.
"If you eat with a non-Jew it is the same as eating with a dog." TALMUD: Tosapoth, Jebamoth 94b.
"If a Jew has a non-Jewish servant or maid who dies, one should not express sympathy to the Jew. You should tell the Jew: "God will replace 'your loss', just as if one of his animals had died."" TALMUD: Jore Dea 377.
"Sexual intercourse between Gentiles is like intercourse between animals." TALMUD: Sanhedrin 74b.
"It is permitted to take the body and life of a gentile." TALMUD: Sepher Ikkarim III c 25.
"It is the law to kill anyone who denies the Torah. The Christians belong to the denying ones of the Torah." TALMUD: Coschen Hamischpat, Hagah 425.
"A heretic Gentile you may kill outright with your own hands." TALMUD: Abodah Zara, 4b.
"Every Jew who spills the blood of the godless (non-Jews), is doing the same as making a sacrifice to God." TALMUD: Bammidber raba c 21 & jalkut 772.
I don't know about you, but just because I'm not Jewish, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be looked at as a beastly canine unworthy of dining in the company of a Jew. And if I were a gentile, well, then, shoot, it would be like a sacrifice to God to kill me?? Thanks a lot!
So, I guess we shouldn't take religious scripture so seriously. If we did, then we'd have to indict the Jewish faith in the same manner that we criticize Islam, etc.
My opinion.
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