(no subject)

Today's a little busy, but this is on my mind and it's topical.

To all of my Christian friends, I wish you and yours a happy Christmas today. To my non-Christian friends who celebrate it anyways, I wish you the same.

And a note to my Christian friends.

This holiday, more than any other Christian holiday, is bombarded into my Jewish psyche every year. The basic message of peace and goodwill, that I think incredibly highly of. None of my friends would, in real life, shoot first and ask questions (much much) later.

There is something I've noticed with some evangelical Christians, though: there seems to be a lot of "Who Would Jesus Bomb?" hysteria here in the USA. It disturbs me in its violence and in its hypocrisy. I know it disturbs you too.

You have a hard road to hoe: talking with people about a message of peace and lovingkindness. I know you at least think about it in your hearts. It's one of the reasons I like you. I am in favor of self-defense, but I prefer looking at all reasonable peaceful methods before jumping to the sword or the gun. Yes, I believe in peace and lovingkindness.

So today, I join you in a message of peace and lovingkindness. And tomorrow, and the next day, and for a very long time after that.

If I can help in the long road toward guiding some of your more violent religious brethren toward less violent means, I am more than willing to do so, but I accept the reality that one Jewish guy has at best a limited impact on millions of Christians. I also accept that it's not my religion to fight to change and thus less my place than yours. If I wanted more activity in that, I'd be a Christian.

Still, my heart is with you. Happy Christmas to you all, and may the next year bring more peace and understanding to us all.

And let us say, Amen.