Comments on: #OccupyLSX – Jewish Statement of Support for Occupy London

By: human of planet earth

human of planet earth — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:55:56 +0000

Very modern and forward thinking Sarah.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:08:32 +0000

OK, religious arguments are NOT going to help anyone here.
Re. jews and money (disclaimer: I am a member of Liberal Judaism):
(a) jews have been banned from many professions throughout history – occupations involving a lot of money have often been things they’re allowed to do, hence the dominance of jews in occupations like finance, diamond trade etc.
(b) there is part of the torah/old testament which can be translated as ‘jews can only charge interest to non-jews’, but as with all religious texts, it depends how you interpret this! Most of the passage is about not charging interest (like Islamic prohibition), which is likely intended to mean, you should only earn money from work, rather than from money itself. This is sensible and is surely a core part of the Occupy movement! One bit does talk about not lending money to outsiders, but that’s IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CULTURE OF THE TIME – the likely correct equivalent now is NOT don’t lend to ‘all non-jews’, but don’t lend to ‘people who are from far away and are therefore likely to run off with your money and not give it back’ – which again is sensible, and not intended to be discriminatory per se – indeed, perhaps giving out sub-prime mortgages to people who can never pay it back are a good example of why this rule is there?
(c) jews don’t all hold the same political beliefs – which is what I think the statement from the rabbis above is meant to try to emphasise to non-jews! Personally I think all those who have engaged in unethical practices in the financial industry, whether or not they profess to be jewish (or muslim, or christian), should be condemned.

By: ComicMom

ComicMom — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:10:57 +0000

Hear, hear! Dorset, thank you for adding such a civil and well-expressed comment to this thread. As a New Englander supporting Occupy Boston, I was stunned to read ancient misunderstandings and libels being resurrected in the context of a noble effort at progressive reform. Best wishes to all those at Occupy London who support your viewpoint.

By: David Knipe

David Knipe — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:01:58 +0000

In my first paragraph I was stating the general principle, hence the relatively vague phrase “whichever groups those are”. I wasn’t trying to hide the fact that I’m opposed to the behaviour of (the majority of) the Israelis towards their Palestinian neighbours.
And I don’t know where you got the idea that I hate all Jews, in violation of the aforementioned principle. All I said was that the Palestinians are being persecuted (I didn’t say all Israelis are responsible) and that the nine rabbis who wrote this statement probably had an ulterior motive.

By: Dorset Dolphin

Dorset Dolphin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:57:11 +0000

It is heartening to see representatives from different faiths coming together to support this global movement which is asking for a proper dialogue about money, finance and unsustainable growth. It shows that all of us want the same thing at the end of the day. However, it is also a shame to see so many people using this site to post comments which are derogatory and ill thought out. All this does is perpetuate the mis-understanding between people of different religions or ideologies and reinforces stereotyping of the worst kind. I would urge that this site is not the place for sweeping generalisation and hurling insults, but the place where people can make their contribution to the global dialogue that is happening all around us.

By: Geoffry Cohen

Geoffry Cohen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:45:08 +0000

This is my final comment here – really up for having a discussion about this, Barry, and correcting your misunderstandings of Jewish thought, and offering an alternative perspective to that which you’ve so far looked into. And you can let us know what you think.
This is a serious offer – all viewpoints within Occupy are to be treated with respect and discussed, including yours, no matter how much we disagree with them. But the best way to facilitate that is within the community at Occupy, where we can meet and talk face to face as equals. Internet discussion doesn’t lend itself well to that, whereby language can be misused, meanings misunderstood, and upset caused.
I understand that you’ve got family things going on at the moment, but given that Occupy isn’t going anywhere, why don’t we do it in a few months when things may be more calm for you?

By: Farce Adentus

Farce Adentus — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:04:43 +0000

My dear Revolutionaries.

We must not be confused about the problem and its solution.
The problem is the Power to create money out of thin air by a private corporation, and the solution is the abolition of this power, into the hands of the Government.
The bank of England is a private corporation.
Please, please educate yourselves on History and precisely what is going on.
It is a big scam, and the only way we can truly overcome these powerful wealthy interests is by truly UNDERSTANDING the whole scam.
Please visit my website where I have compiled all relevant information for the layman.
Watch the documentaries and videos to gain and understanding of what is going on, and how we are all being duped.
Knowledge is power, and we the people, once we fully understand the full extent of the SCAM, Will prevail.
I cannot stress it enough we EACH need to thoroughly UNDERSTAND exactly what is going on, I’ve been listening to the radio and TV and there is MUCH confusion over the direction and the message of the occupy movement. This needs to change.

Please watch the videos on the problem AND the proposed solution.
We ALL need to be clear on the message, and sing from the same hymn sheet!
Find the information on my website and all over youtube. http://www.moneyexplained.net

We shall prevail!
Educate yourselves.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:12:53 +0000

Someone claiming to be ‘king of the Jews’, or even being accused of claiming to be ‘king of the Jews’, doesn’t make them so.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:28:21 +0000

As opposed to yours? Lol

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:27:41 +0000

Lol show me once where i say that ONLY jewish people are top bankers? I’ve also said several times it’s not about jews paying interest! It’s about them charging it to other jews! It’s against jewish law! But it’s acceptable for a jew to loan money to a non jew! That is just fact! I’m sorry that is fact, and it’s something that needs to change! As do the other religions you mentioned! I’ve mentioned several of them throughout this thread and others, but guess what? This article is about jewish people!… Why would i need to take in the wider aspect of money? As it happens i am but why would i need to, to see that’s not charging interest to your own, but charging it to everyone else is wrong! Unfair, unjust and RACIST!