A reader of my local newspaper, in today's "Feedback" column, objected to the use of the term "Judeo-Christian roots" in a previous story. "I am a Christian," this reader wrote, "and I resent the fact that I am called a 'dash Christian.' That is a misnomer."
The editor patiently explained that, as a matter of history, Judaism and Christianity share certain basic principles that, whether one agrees with them or not, do underlie the dominant political and economic values of American life. It should not have been necessary to point out, though the editor did so as well, that the term "Judeo-Christian" was not meant to apply to the reader's personal faith.
It seems to me symptomatic of the self-centered culture we live in that the reader understood the term individually, not collectively, and asserted that "I am a Christian."
I should like to explain to the reader, perhaps not so patiently, that, as a matter of history, Christianity did arise out of Judaism; which means that if you claim to be a Christian, you are adhering to a faith that has, at least partially, a Judaic origin.
And if you are one of today's "literalist" Christians, whose religion involves nothing more than "accepting Jesus into your mind and heart," it should not be necessary to remind you that your "personal Lord and Savior," as you call him, was a Jew.
I really think people need to look (and read) into the history of their religion and not just listen to someone telling it to them. They might be surprised what they find.
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