The Judeo-Christian Oxymoron
Copyright © 1997, 2003-2004, 2007, 2009 by David E. Ross
Whenever I hear someone make a public appeal to Judeo-Christian values in support or opposition to an issue, I cringe. The great diversity of beliefs and values within Christianity appears relatively small when compared with the differences between Judaism and Christianity.
Differences in beliefs and values between Jews and Christians are found in the following areas:
| Religious Issue | Jewish Philosophy |
|---|
| The nature of God | God is indivisible, neither a duality nor a trinity. While often addressed or described anthropomorphically, God does not materialize in a human or any other comprehendible form. God acts directly, "not through an angel or by means of a seraph". |
| The relationship between God and the individual | There is a direct relationship between God and each individual, without any divine or human intermediary. A rabbi (literally teacher) is a leader but not a priest. |
| The origin and punishment of sin | The concept of original sin is unknown in Judaism. Sin is not inherent in the human existence. Ordinary individuals living ordinary lives — enjoying entertainment, good food and drink, sex, an idle day, or a good back rub — are not necessarily tainted with sin merely because of their earthly pleasures. God gives us these pleasures, so they cannot be sinful. Sin is punished during life or in how we die. We might know a sinful person and not recognize his or her punishment; we think "He is getting away with it." But God's punishments are not always obvious. For the sin against God, true repentance on Yom Kippur erases the sin. For the sin against another person, only actual forgiveness from that person can erase the sin. We are each solely and entirely responsible for our own sins. No one else — human or divine — can assume responsibility for our sins. Our punishment might even be in the manner of our deaths, but no one else can die for our sins. |
| The relative significance of piety versus deeds | Having pure thoughts and offering sincere prayers to God are significant. However, piety lacks the importance of seeking justice for others, treating each person as if he or she were the Messiah, and living lives that set examples of behavior for your neighbors. In Judaism, deeds are far more important to God than attitudes. |
| The worthiness and redemption of non-believers | It is not necessary to be Jewish to receive blessings from God or to live in God's grace after death. Jews have long celebrated the deeds of the "righteous gentile". Thus, Judaism rejects missionary efforts to convert gentiles into Jews and resents missionary efforts by others to convert Jews to other religions. These missionary efforts imply a superiority of one religion over another, which is a concept rejected by Judaism. |
Other differences involve:
- The purpose of prayer
- Concern for the physical versus the moral well-being of others
- The concept of the Messiah
Not even monotheism can be considered common to both Jews and Christians. Given the Christian assertion of divinity for Jesus, the strict monotheism of Judaism appears more like that of Islam. Whatever common values Jews and Christians do share, they also share with a number of other religions.
Actually, an appeal to Judeo-Christian values usually reflects an attempt to generate Jewish support for a political agenda that many Jews who are well educated in their religion would reject. I have never heard an explicit appeal to "Judeo-Christian values" that included support for these Jewish values found in the Torah:
- Fair and timely paychecks from an employer to his or her workers (Leviticus 19:13)
- Enforcement of standard weights and measures (Leviticus 19:35)
- Welcoming immigrants (Leviticus 19:33-34, Exodus 23:19)
- Laws that apply equally to rich and poor (Leviticus 19:15),
and equally to citizen and non-citizen (Leviticus 24:22) - Protecting the environment, even during war (Deuteronomy 20:19)
- The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) (Leviticus 19:14)
- Laws against age discrimination. (Leviticus 19:32)
- Pursuing justice for others, no matter how strongly public opinion is on the other side (Exodus 23:2)
Of course, none of these are exclusively Jewish values. Righteous, moral Christians and followers of other religions live by some or all of these principles. But those who appeal for my support by invoking "Judeo-Christian values" never do so in support of these values that are basic to the Jewish religion.
"But what about Messianic 'Jews' and 'Jews' for Jesus?" Ah, that is another editorial, yet to be written. In the meantime, please note that mixing cabernet sauvignon with chablis does not make a rosé.
In a speech to a Christian church, Army Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence) demonstrated a severe lack of his supposed area of expertise. In a diatribe against Moslems, he stated that his mission is "a battle with Satan." The struggle against Islam, Boykin said, is "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christian … and the enemy is a guy named Satan."
First of all, Judaism does not include the concept of Satan, the Devil, or any similar demon. Then, Boykin compounded his error by appealing to Judeo-Christian roots at the same time he declared the United States to be a Christian nation. You cannot appeal to Judeo-Christian roots when you then exclude Jews by declaring this to be a Christian nation. Actually, we are a secular nation, inhabited by citizens of many diverse religions.
Boykin's mission might indeed be a new crusade under the banner of the cross. However, he does not understand the mission of our nation — to be a home for believers of all types and non-believers too. Boykin clearly should not be in any position of power within our government, military or civilian.
It would be very interesting to compare the position of those Christians who appeal to Judeo-Christian principles with the position of Reform Judaism regarding gay rights. For discussions of where the largest branch of Judaism in the United States stands on this issue, see:
Other social issues on which Reform Judaism has taken formal positions include:
- Support for a woman's right to choose an abortion.
- Opposition against elevating property rights above civil rights and the rights to education, health care, and a clean environment.
- Opposition to any government censorship of the Internet, no matter how unpopular or controversial the content.
- "Oppose all federal, state and local government efforts that declare English as the official language of the government … "
- Support for legislation to ban the import of products found to be made with child or sweatshop labor.
- "Support living wage ordinances and bills to bring wages to the poverty line."
- Opposition to the embargo against Cuba.
- Opposition against privatizing Social Security.
- Support for strong gun-control legislation.
- Support for a national energy policy that emphasizes conservation, efficiency, and renewable resources.
- Support for protecting "roadless areas in National Forests … from all logging, mining, and other commercial use".
- Support for legalizing the medical use of marijuana.
- "Support … the inclusion of comprehensive and age-appropriate sexuality education in the public schools on all levels (from grade school through high school), while opposing … abstinence-only programs."
- Opposition against President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative.
- Support for the use of embryonic stem cells in medical research and therapy.
- Opposition to government-sponsored prayers in public schools.
- Opposition against amending the Constitution to prohibit flag burning.
Quotes are taken directly from URJ or CCAR formal resolutions.
The next time you hear someone appeal to Judeo-Christian principles, ask that person where he or she stands on these issues.
Updated 22 October 2009