Just Ignore the Godless Laws

Another story about a conflict over an Ultra-Orthodox Jew in Israel. A story carried on the WorldWide Religious News and attributed to CNN reveals that a Jewish woman who was accused of child abuse was released from jail and given house arrest. The group of which she is a part does not recognize the legitimacy of Israel and its rule of law. Consider this segment of the story:

The woman, whom police have not named, is from a radical sect of ultra-Orthodox Judaism known as Toldot Aharon, whose members believe that the modern state of Israel and its laws are a man-made creation beneath the religious teachings of the Talmud, the authoritative body of Jewish religious traditions.

The case and the riots highlight the existence in Israel of extreme ultra-Orthodox religious groups that are awaiting the return of a messiah and that reject modern secular culture.

The woman was arrested by police after staffers at a hospital passed on suspicions that her son was the victim of child abuse.

Police officials said they had collected evidence indicating the woman purposely starved the child. Police also said they had reason to believe the woman, who is five months pregnant, physically abused two of her other children.

A case like this, of course, raises huge questions.

How can any state exist when groups of its citizens claim that they can ignore the law because it is only man-made and God given?

Do you agree that God's laws, as you understand it, take precedence over any man-made law?

If so, should "true believers" act according to their understanding of God's laws, without regard for any human system of law?

Is this happening in places other than Israel?

What do you do with a religious group that claims the state has no power over them because they will only follow God's laws?

Statistically Speaking

Two sets of statistics came my way in the last few days. I found one in the June 30 issue of Christian Century. The other is in the Summer 2009 World Ark, the publication for Heifer International.

The World Ark numbers are straight to the point:
According to the US Goverment, the poverty threshold is now $17 per day per person;
According to the World Bank, the new international extreme poverty threshold is $1.25 per day;
The piece concludes with the stat that 45% of the world's children live in poverty.

The Century quoted a Democracy Corps Youth Survey conducted in August 2008 giving the top personal goals of young people aged 18-29. With the percent responding "very important":
80% - Paying off all debts;
78% - Finding a job you will enjoy;
75% - Finding a job that will make you financially secure;
66% - Buying a home;
59% - Giving something back to your community;
59% - Giving something back to your country;
54% - Having children;
53% - Getting married;
50% - Becoming more spiritually fulfilled.

I wonder what impact on the world we all could have if one of our personal goals was to make a difference in the lives of someone in our country or in another country who is living in poverty.

Saying "I Won't" to "I Do."

It is fair to say that the issue of marriage is one of the major struggles in American culture. The debate on who can marry and why has dominated the news in the last few years. Now, in an interesting development, it may be that people at each end of the spectrum are embracing somewhat similar tactics as the debate continues to roil.

From the more liberal side of things, two UCC clergy began the Refuse To Sign movement, calling on clergy, congregations, and engaged couples to refuse to have a religious person sign the marriage license. Their point is that the state should extend marriage certificates to all people and that clergy and/or churches should decide whether or not to bless same-sex marriages. They believe that clergy become de facto agents for the state when a minister signs a certificate; thus, the clergy person is supporting the state's position on marriage. Supporters of this movement exhort couples to have marriage certificates signed by the court clerk or by a judge only until justice is done.

From the more conservative side of things, some conservative clergy and their parishoners are pushing the position that the state should have nothing to do with marriage at all. They feel marriage is a "holy estate," to quote a phrase, and the state should stay out of the process. These folks are motivated by a concern that the state may legalized a marriage relationship which they feel is unbiblical, immoral, and unscriptural.

So, both sides are trying to redefine the marriage process to achieve what they feel is the "right" thing to do.

How do you feel about all of this?

Jewish Conflict

Over the weekend, two news stories about conflict between secular Jews and ultra-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem emerged.

The first from Diaa Hadid, an AP reporter, detailed how two religious Jews were stabbed and another beaten in a fight with secular Jews. The second AP story told how ultra-orthodox Jews threw themselves under the tires of buses and in front of waiting cars. Both stories dealt with opposition by the ultra-Orthodox community to a parking lot that was opened in Jerusalem last month in an effort to cut down on illegal parking in the Old City of Jerusalem. The controversy is because the parking lot is open on the Sabbath. The ultra-Orthodox believe that driving on the Sabbath is a violation of the Sabbath; thus, the parking lot should not be opened on the Sabbath.

So, how would you feel if someone decided you could not do something because it violated their religious understanding. Would you allow them to control your life?