Mocking of Jesus.
Linda Greenhouse, the retired religion-opinion Court-watcher, is in fine form today. She's got a bee in her bonnet over the recent dissent in a 5-4 order about a Christian California Church that sued for discrimination after they didn't get to open bigly, but secular businesses do.
It was a Pentecostal Church, and last week was Pentecost Sunday. Pass the collection plate, that's a big day for the Church. Greenhouse doesn't get it. But we Jews, she whines, had a big one too! Shavuot! * Whatevs. ** Point is...
The country is burning down, Linda. Let's work To-Gether? perhaps so that religious institutions have the same freedoms as secular places. Consider shopping. People don't just "walk through a store". People gather, they stop and linger, they try things on, get close, touch each other, feel fabrics, ask: how's this look? to their sisters and gal-pals... they interact with clerks...
Church services? Mostly facing forward. Nowadays, socially distanced. You're blowing your breath at another person's back, but truth be told, if you cut the singing, there is not much talking at great length from the worshippers. Their ears are open, not their mouths.
Linda Greenhouse, bless her soul, doesn't understand.
She is so defensive about her minority faith, that she prefers Christianity to be ... regulated by California politicians. If you don't think there is a reason that this is a non-neutral policy, well, you might end your column like this...
"The court can’t save us; that much is clear. It can’t even save itself."
Low, Linda, low. Even you -- a minority, a Jew! -- know where you go...
""He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."
Americans didn't like it when you took Christianity out of the American public schools. If you know American history, you cannot deny how Christian beliefs shaped and built and settled this country. That's no knock on other faiths, just acknowledging history.
As an attorney, Greenhouse also understands the First Amendment protections, unique to American history. Our country is burning up, with many interpretations of where we went wrong. No one is asking her to risk her life and attend a Christian California Church. But Linda Greenhouse must understand: if we can shop, we can gather and worship under public health policies that others have no right to interfere with.
She forgets when she mocks Christ's resurrection, how the story turned out. How the Christian Church grew and grew and grew, worldwide, much like I suspect is happening with the newcomer Pentecostals in California.
Greenhouse doesn't have to like it.
But she should try and understand it, at least.
And stop with the mocking in the times of fire and destruction.
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Luke 23:26-50 As the guards led Jesus to be crucified, there ...
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* "I’m baffled by why a particular liturgical observance should have even a walk-on role in this opinion. Last weekend was also Shavuot, a major Jewish holiday. But it’s the Christian calendar about which recently appointed federal judges seem exclusively concerned."
Because, it wasn't the Jews suing on behalf of challenging the restrictions, Linda. C'mon now. You can't pretend you are being discriminated against because another faith challenges discrimination, and forgets to tack you on in there, and speak on behalf of your special days too. Sad!
** Pentecost. In the New Testament, the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus. Pentecost is the Greek name for Shavuot, the spring harvest festival of the Israelites, which was going on when the Holy Spirit came.
Maybe, we are more united than divided, Linda?
Why are you afraid to allow Christians to practice openly our beliefs, and don't you understand that when we fix the problem for One, we help make it better for all others? Do you know who Tony Timpa is, and why his death matters so much too? Educate yourself. It's not the color of the skin; it's the taking of the life. Black or white, Jew or Gentile... #UnitedWeStand #DividedWeFall
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