DOCSLIB.ORG

Jews and the Christian Right

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jews and the Christian Right JEWS AND THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT PHIL ZUCKERMAN, PH.D. Department of Sociology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon Although Jews are generally critical or suspicious of the Christian Right, the two groups do have points of nonconflicting intersection: (l)Jews play a significant role in Christian Right theology, (2) they have common political ground in support for Zionism/Is­ rael, and (3) several individual Jews are leading or supporting figures within the Christian Right itself. Why these Jews are involved in this conservative religious movement is ex­ plored. lthough many aspects of the Christian Lachman, 1993; Raab, 1996; Reichley, ARight have been examined, such as its 1985), Jews are not involved with the historical roots (Ammerman, 1991; Dia­ Christian Right in any substantial numbers mond, 1995), leaders (Fitzgerald, 1981), in­ in terms of grassroots activity, voting re­ novative methods of operation (Frankl, sponse, or financial support. However, they 1897), and social and political impact are nonetheless significant to the Christian (Bates, 1993; Boston, 1993; Bruce, 1992; Right: first, Jews figure centrally into the Capps, 1990; Convray & Siegelman, 1982; religious belief system of the Christian Diamond, 1989; Johnson, 1985; Jorstad, Right; second, mutual ground has been 1981; Liebman & Wuthnow, 1983; Lien- found between various Jews and the Chris­ esch, 1993; Moen, 1992, 1989; Reichley, tian Right concerning Zionism/Israel, and 1985; Shriver, 1981; Vaid, 1995; Wilcox, finally, a few Jews have surprisingly proven 1994, 1992; Zwier, 1982), no work has been to be some of the strongest allies and lead­ done specifically on how the Christian ers of the Christian Right. Right is related to Jews. Earl Raab (1996, p. 44) notes that "Jews THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT have regularly rated Christian fiindamental- An amalgam of multimillion dollar media ists as the American group most inimical to empires, sympathetic politicians, grassroots them," and Norman Podhoretz (1995, p. 30) organizations, and millions of money- observes that "most American Jews *e pledging supporters, the Christian Right liberals...and have lined up behind policies mixes conservative political aspirations that are repugnant to the conservative with fimdamentalist, evangelical Christian Christian commuiuty." However, Jews and beliefs in an attempt to influence American the Christian Right do have relatively non- politics and society. conflicting points of relation. Bolstered by an ever-growing tie to the After describing the Christian Right, this Republican party (Kosmin & Lachman, article examines the areas of intersection 1993; Moen, 1992), the activities of the between the Christian Right and Jews. This Christian Right include everything fi-om examination will add to our understanding supporting military dictators in Central of the Christian Right's ability to attract al­ America to winning seats on local school lies from seemingly oppositional groups in boards (Bates, 1993; Diamond, 1989). carrying out its social and political agenda, as well as explore the role some Jews play Conservative Christian social and politi­ within this conservative movement. cal activism currently permeates the United States: The anti-gay movement is gaining As the most consistently democratic-lib­ momentum in state after state; one of the eral voting white ethno-religious group in largest grassroots movements in American the country (Johnson, 1985; Kosmin & politics today is the Christian Coalition; 21 Journal of Jewish Communal Service / 12 and the Christian Right dominates the Re- the Christian Right's significant influence pubHcan Party in more than eighteen states, throughout the 1980s (Diamond, 1995; with significant influence in thirteen others Johnson, 1985; Kosmin andLachman, (Stan, 1995). In the 1994 elections, a lib­ 1993; Lienesch, 1993). eral lobbying group monitored 600 state and Currently, the most formidable Christian local races and found that 60 percent of the Right organization is the Christian Coali­ candidates backed by the Christian Right tion. Led by Pat Robertson and Ralph won election to office (Diamond, 1995). Reed, who has developed strong ties with Today's Christian Right is concemed Newt Gingrich and Jesse Helms, this orga­ with issues of anti-homosexuality, anti- nization has over one miUion members with women's equality, anti-reproductive rights, more than 870 chapters (Vaid, 1995) and anti-separation of church and state, and op­ an annual budget of $25 million (Stan, position to the teaching of sex education in 1995). The Christian Coalition is one of public schools—all embedded within a the best-organized grassroots political hyper-patriotic, fi-ee-market capitalist ideol­ movements in the country. For example, in ogy that is marked by social critiques of the 1990, it targeted San Diego for political in­ needy and unrelenting attacks against wel­ fluence. Its efforts were overwhelmingly fare legislation (Lahaye, 1980; Robertson, successful, as 60 candidates (of 88) affili­ 1990). ated with the religious right were elected to Combining a potentially intolerant mor- city and county positions. Three hundred alism based on a literal interpretation of the Christian Coalition delegates attended the Bible with a nostalgic yearning for the 1992 Republican National Convention. In mythical "Leave it to Beaver" patriarchal 1995, the Christian Coalition's intention to family stmcture, the Christian Right is influence politics was revealed in its "Con­ working hand in hand with the Republican tract with the American Family," a loud call party to shape American society and politics for an evangelical Christian presence in all along lines that some would consider quite levels of American society, which was threatening. According to activist/author warmly embraced by the Republican major­ Urvashi Vaid (1995, p. 310), the Christian ity in Congress. One of the Christian Right is a "militantly antidemocratic move­ Coalition's projects is fighting for the re­ ment that is turning American constitu­ peal of the constitutional separation of tional democracy inside out... .Prejudice, in­ church and state, which Robertson has suc­ justice, inequality, intolerance, hatred, vio­ cinctly labeled "a lie of the left" (Vaid, lence are all evils being strengthened by the 1995). The Christian Coalition vowed to religious and supremacist right." spend over $1 million to help defeat Presi­ dent Clinton's health care plan (ADL, MAJOR ORGAISIZATIONS OF THE 1994). CHRISTIAN RIGHT The exact number of Christian Coalition delegates who attended the 1996 Repubh- The four primary organizations of the can National Convention is uncertain. Christian Right throughout the 1980s were However, a Times/CNN poll conducted in the National Christian Action Coalition, the August 1996 claimed that II percent of del­ Religious Roundtable, Christian Voice, and egates were members of the Christian Coa­ Moral Majority (Moen, 1992). The success- lition, with an additional 55 percent claim­ fill registration of millions of new conserva­ ing to "favor" the organization. Republican tive voters and the sound defeat of the candidate Bob Dole has openly embraced Equal Rights Amendment, the Nuclear the Christian Coalition. Bowing to Chris­ Freeze Initiative, pubhc fiinding for abor­ tian Right pressure, he ensured that the Re­ tions for poor women, and fiinding for publican platform remained strongly anti- AIDS research are but a few examples of abortion, and in mid-September he spoke at FALL 1996 Jews and the Christian Right / 23 the Christian Coalition's annual meeting in merous religio-political books. Pat Washington. He appeared on stage with Pat Robertson, in the words of Walter Capps Robertson, clasping hands and joining him (1990, p. 181), "is the personification of the in calling on God's help in the upcoming Religious Right." election. Robertson's attitude toward Jews is one Other major conservative Christian orga­ of well-noted contradiction. On the one nizations include anti-gay movements, such hand, he is a staunch public supporter of Is­ as Colorado for Family Values and the Or­ rael and in recent times has made several egon Citizens Alliance. The American open gestures of good will toward the Freedom Coalition is a large, grassroots American Jewish commuiuty. On the other movement that fights fimding for public hand, he is notorious for his steatfy stream schools and enviroimiental protection of anti-Senutic sentiments. In his book 77ze (Moen, 1992). With an annual budget of New Millennium (1990), he charges that all $62 miUion, the Promise Keepers, led by religions that deny the deity of Christ are Colorado for Family Values board member Satanic at root (p. 77); liberal Jews are in­ Bill McCartney, spreads the message of tent on "diminishing Christian influence" male dominance within an evangelical in America (p. 289) and are out "to destroy Christian context (Diamond, 1995). Anti- the Christian position" (p. 290); and "Jew­ feminist organizations, such as Phyllis ish intellectuals and media activists" have Schlafly's Eagle Forum and Concerned waged an assault on Christianity (p. 292). Women for America (with a budget of $10 Although repeatedly noting the special rela­ million), have been quite active, with mem­ tionship between God and the Jews, bership possibly reaching close to 500,000 Robertson also repeatedly makes it clear (Moen, 1992; Vaid, 1995). Pat Robertson's that there will be no room for Jews in his American Center for Law and Justice new millennium, for "the destiny of this na­
Load more

Recommended publications
  • New Fuller Ebook Acquisitions - Courtesy of Ms
    New Fuller eBook Acquisitions - Courtesy of Ms. Peggy Helmerick Publication Title eISBN Handbook of Cities and the Environment 9781784712266 Handbook of US–China Relations 9781784715731 Handbook on Gender and War 9781849808927 Handbook of Research Methods and Applications in Political Science 9781784710828 Anti-Corruption Strategies in Fragile States 9781784719715 Models of Secondary Education and Social Inequality 9781785367267 Politics of Persuasion, The 9781782546702 Individualism and Inequality 9781784716516 Handbook on Migration and Social Policy 9781783476299 Global Regionalisms and Higher Education 9781784712358 Handbook of Migration and Health 9781784714789 Handbook of Public Policy Agenda Setting 9781784715922 Trust, Social Capital and the Scandinavian Welfare State 9781785365584 Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers, Forest Conservation and Climate Change 9781784716608 Handbook of Transnational Environmental Crime 9781783476237 Cities as Political Objects 9781784719906 Leadership Imagination, The 9781785361395 Handbook of Innovation Policy Impact 9781784711856 Rise of the Hybrid Domain, The 9781785360435 Public Utilities, Second Edition 9781785365539 Challenges of Collaboration in Environmental Governance, The 9781785360411 Ethics, Environmental Justice and Climate Change 9781785367601 Politics and Policy of Wellbeing, The 9781783479337 Handbook on Theories of Governance 9781782548508 Neoliberal Capitalism and Precarious Work 9781781954959 Political Entrepreneurship 9781785363504 Handbook on Gender and Health 9781784710866 Linking
    [Show full text]
  • Televangelism and the Changing Habits of Worshippers in Nairobi
    TELEVANGELISM AND THE CHANGING HABITS OF WORSHIPPERS IN NAIROBI COUNTY ESTHER NYABOKE MOKAYA A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PART FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 2015 DECLARATION This research project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university for any other award Signature………………………………… Date………………………… Esther Nyaboke Mokaya B.Ed (Arts) REG NO: K50/70018/2013 This research project has been submitted to the School of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nairobi for examination with my approval as a University Supervisor Supervisor`s Signature…………………… Date……………………..… Dr. Ndeti Ndati School of Journalism and Media Studies University of Nairobi i DEDICATION I dedicate this project to my husband Forah and daughter Taraji for their support and encouragement during the writing of this project. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank my supervisor Dr Ndeti Ndati and my colleagues for their invaluable support and comments which went a long way in putting together this research project. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION....................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Download a Pdf File of This Issue for Free Download
    CHRISTIAN HISTORY Issue 102 People of Faith How America’s many churches shaped “one nation under God.” IFC_POFad_CHM102_CHM102 4/27/12 10:28 AM Page 1 Survey the history of Christianity in America from before the Pilgrims to the present in this stunning DVD series. You’ll gain valuable perspective on the people and ideas that shaped America and see how it came to be the first nation in history based upon the ideal of religious liberty. In this six-episode series you’ll meet the spiritual visionaries, leaders, and entrepreneurs who shaped Christianity across the centuries and dramatically influenced the culture we live in today, including Jonathan Edwards, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Billy Graham among many others. Learn about the key events, movements, and controversies that continue to shape us today such as the Great Awakening, the abolitionist movement, 19th-century Catholic immigration, the Prohibition era, modernism and $ 99 fundamentalism, and the social gospel, civil rights, and pro-life 29. #501437D movements, and more. Well researched, balanced, fast paced, and insightful, People of Faith features expert commentary from an array of scholars such as Martin Marty, Mark Noll, Thomas Kidd, Kathryn Long, and many others. Produced and created by the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals at Wheaton College, this amazing resource will help you discover the importance of Christian history as we consider the future of the church in America. The two-DVD set includes • six half-hour segments, • study and discussion questions, • script transcripts, • additional interviews with scholars, and • optional English subtitles.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pneumatic Experiences of the Indian Neocharismatics
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Birmingham Research Archive, E-theses Repository THE PNEUMATIC EXPERIENCES OF THE INDIAN NEOCHARISMATICS By JOY T. SAMUEL A Thesis Submitted to The University of Birmingham for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham June 2018 i University of Birmingham Research e-thesis repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and /or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any success or legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. i The Abstract of the Thesis This thesis elucidates the Spirit practices of Neocharismatic movements in India. Ever since the appearance of Charismatic movements, the Spirit theology has developed as a distinct kind of popular theology. The Neocharismatic movement in India developed within the last twenty years recapitulates Pentecostal nature spirituality with contextual applications. Pentecostalism has broadened itself accommodating all churches as widely diverse as healing emphasized, prosperity oriented free independent churches. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the Neocharismatic churches in Kerala, India; its relationship to Indian Pentecostalism and compares the Sprit practices. It is argued that the pneumatology practiced by the Neocharismatics in Kerala, is closely connected to the spirituality experienced by the Indian Pentecostals.
    [Show full text]
  • Commodification of Religion Through Televangelism a Rhetorical Analysis
    COMMODIFICATION OF RELIGION THROUGH TELEVANGELISM: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED CHARISMATIC PROGRAMMES IN KENYA PATRICK MUTURI KARANJA A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication of Egerton University EGERTON UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 2019 DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION Declaration This Thesis is my original work and has not been submitted in its current form to this or any other University for the award of a degree to the best of my knowledge. Signature: ---------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Patrick Muturi Karanja AM19/33627/14 Recommendation We wish to confirm that this thesis was prepared under our supervision and is recommendation for presentation and examination at Egerton University. Signature---------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Dr Josphine Khaemba Department of Literature, Languages and Linguistics Egerton University. Signature--------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Mr. Sammy Gachigua Department of Literature, Languages and Linguistics Egerton University. ii COPYRIGHT © 2019 Patrick Muturi Karanja All rights are reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission of the author or Egerton University on behalf of the author. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this study to my family: my wife and children, for their prayers and continuous encouragement. Their presence around me was a source of much inspiration which guaranteed stability of mind and soul, for the accomplishment of this arduous task. For their love and understanding, I will forever be grateful. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENT First and foremost I wish to thank the Almighty God for giving me the grace and ability to accomplish this study.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crystal Cathedral Was a Monument to Televangelism. It's About to Become a Catholic Church
    The Washington Post Religion Analysis The Crystal Cathedral was a monument to televangelism. It’s about to become a Catholic church. By Mary Louise Schumacher July 17 What happens when an icon of feel-good theology and California kitsch gets born again as a Catholic church? For years, Christians, Southern Californians and design devotees alike have anticipated the resurrection of the Crystal Cathedral, the Orange County church designed by modernist architect Philip Johnson. It was the home of televangelist Robert Schuller and his “Hour of Power” TV program, watched in its heyday by tens of millions, in 156 countries. Touted as the largest glass building in the world when it opened in 1980, the megachurch was purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012, thanks to a messy bankruptcy. The diocese renamed it Christ Cathedral and, in fact, acquired the whole architecturally significant campus, including buildings by Richard Neutra and Richard Meier. It’s not every day that the Roman Catholic Church occupies a New Age monument, and the unorthodox pairing provokes certain questions. Could the glitzy building, countercultural in its way, be a fitting home for a faith rooted in tradition? Is Schuller’s house of “Possibility Thinking” an apt home for the Sorrowful Mysteries? (The former is the name the late televangelist gave for his affirming worldview, and the latter is a group of Catholic meditations on suffering.) “It does feel like a weird marriage,” says Alexandra Lange, an architecture critic for Curbed. There’s something “New Age-y” and “kitschy and cheery” about the cathedral that seems at odds with the “formality and sternness” associated with many Catholic buildings, says Dallas Morning News architecture critic Mark Lamster, who wrote a biography of Johnson.
    [Show full text]
  • The Anti-Defamation League
    The Anti-Defamation League Intimidation (including false accusations) by the ADL is their specialty, but through the strength of God, I have no fear of them. There is nothing wrong with exposing real anti-Semitism directed toward Jewish and Arabic people. Sometimes, the ADL do indeed expose real anti-Semites (like the neo-Nazis, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason Henry Ford, Charles Coughlin, etc.). On the other hand, real researches make manifest of the ADL not only being an arm of the elite (many of these elitists advocate one world government), but some have accused the ADL of once having mafia and pornography ties . The ADL is a network of people that stalks some people under the guise of “anti-Semitism” to elevate their own agenda . Many members of the ADL sincerely fight against bigotry, but their leadership have been corrupted with compromise. Their agenda is extreme political correctness and the promotion of a far left agenda. Out of the many exposes on them, one was created by William Cooper. William Cooper (who died in a murder at October 2001) created his The Hour of the Time tape series on the ADL, which is the most truthful and fairest around to lay the reality on the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL’s roots existed from the Jewish Masonic Lodge of B’nai B’rith, so that will be outlined first. In the words of William Cooper: “I am not talking about Jews. I am talking about a branch of the Illuminati, the control structure that is bringing one world government into fruition, destroying the sovereignty of nations, and many many other things.” According to Edith Starr-Miller’s 1933 Occult Theocracy, German Jews headed by Henry Jones invented the B’nai B’rith in October 13, 1843.
    [Show full text]
  • Preaching to the Converted: Making Responsible Evangelical Subjects Through Media by Holly Thomas a Thesis Submitted to the Facu
    Preaching to the Converted: Making Responsible Evangelical Subjects Through Media By Holly Thomas A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2016, Holly Thomas Abstract This dissertation examines contemporary televangelist discourses in order to better articulate prevailing models of what constitutes ideal-type evangelical subjectivities and televangelist participation in an increasingly mediated religious landscape. My interest lies in apocalyptic belief systems that engage end time scenarios to inform understandings of salvation. Using a Foucauldian inspired theoretical-methodology shaped by discourse analysis, archaeology, and genealogy, I examine three popular American evangelists who represent a diverse array of programming content: Pat Robertson of the 700 Club, John Hagee of John Hagee Today, and Jack and Rexella Van Impe of Jack Van Impe Presents. I argue that contemporary evangelical media packages now cut across a variety of traditional and new technologies to create a seamless mediated empire of participatory salvation where believers have access to complementary evangelist products and messages twenty-four hours a day from a multitude of access points. For these reasons, I now refer to televangelism as mediated evangelism and televangelists as mediated evangelists while acknowledging that the televised programs still form the cornerstone of their mediated messages and engagement with believers. The discursive formations that take shape through this landscape of mediated evangelism contribute to an apocalyptically informed religious-political subjectivity that identifies civic and political engagement as an expected active choice and responsibility for attaining salvation, in line with other more obviously evangelical religious practices, like prayer, repentance, and acceptance of Jesus Christ as savior.
    [Show full text]
  • Televangelists, Media Du'ā, and 'Ulamā'
    TELEVANGELISTS, MEDIA DU‘Ā, AND ‘ULAMĀ’: THE EVOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN MODERN ISLAM A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Georgetown University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Studies By Tuve Buchmann Floden, M.A. Washington, DC August 23, 2016 Copyright 2016 by Tuve Buchmann Floden All Rights Reserved ii TELEVANGELISTS, MEDIA DU‘Ā, AND ‘ULAMĀ’: THE EVOLUTION OF RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN MODERN ISLAM Tuve Buchmann Floden, M.A. Thesis Advisor: Felicitas M. Opwis, Ph.D. ABSTRACT The rise of modern media has led to debates about religious authority in Islam, questioning whether it is fragmenting or proliferating, and exploring the state of the ‘ulamā’ and new groups like religious intellectuals and Muslim televangelists. This study explores these changes through a specific group of popular preachers, the media du‘ā, who are characterized by their educational degrees and their place outside the religious establishment, their informal language and style, and their extensive use of modern media tools. Three media du‘ā from the Arab world are the subject of this study: Amr Khaled, Ahmad al-Shugairi, and Tariq al- Suwaidan. Their written material – books, published interviews, social media, and websites – form the primary sources for this work, supplemented by examples from their television programs. To paint a complete picture, this dissertation examines not only the style of these preachers, but also their goals, their audience, the topics they address, and their influences and critics. This study first compares the media du‘ā to Christian televangelists, revealing that religious authority in Islam is both proliferating and differentiating, and that these preachers are subtly influencing society and politics.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chosen People
    THE CHOSEN PEOPLE ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS Prepared by Ner Le’Elef THE CHOSEN PEOPLE ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS Prepared by Ner Le’Elef Publication date 05 November 2007 Permission is granted to reproduce in part or in whole. Profits may not be gained from any such reproductions. This book is updated with each edition and is produced several times a year. Other Ner Le’Elef Booklets currently available: AMERICAN SOCIETY BOOK OF QUOTATIONS EVOLUTION HILCHOS MASHPIAH HOLOCAUST JEWISH MEDICAL ETHICS JEWISH RESOURCES LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ORAL LAW PROOFS QUESTION & ANSWERS SCIENCE AND JUDAISM SOURCES SUFFERING THIS WORLD & THE NEXT WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book One) WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book Two) For information on how to order additional booklets, please contact: Ner Le’Elef P.O. Box 14503 Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem 91145 E-mail: [email protected] Fax #: 972-02-653-6229 Tel #: 972-02-651-0825 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW 7 SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR THE CHOSEN PEOPLE 8 CHAPTER A: THE FACT OF OUR CHOSEN-NESS 9 and is a central tenet of תנ”ך i- The fact of our chosen-ness is clear throughout Judaism ii- Our chosen-ness is proven by numerous things a- Our survival despite anti-Semitism, size and dispersion b- Anti-Semitism תורה c- Historical verification of the d- Fulfillment of prophecies iii- Jewish contribution to civilization CHAPTER B: HOW WE CAME TO BE CHOSEN, AND IS THAT FAIR? 29 i- Equality of opportunity ii- Judaic ideal: no chosen nation, all man chosen iii- G-d chose Abraham because Abraham chose G-d a- We had to prove ourselves
    [Show full text]
  • The Media in Society: Religious Radio Stations, Socio-Religious Discourse and National Cohesion in Tanzania
    The Media in Society: Religious Radio Stations, Socio-Religious Discourse and National Cohesion in Tanzania By Francis Xavier Ng’atigwa Dissertation submitted to Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) and the Department of Media Studies, Bayreuth University in the Partial fulfillment of the requirements for Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies Supervisor Prof. Dr. Jürgen E. Müller Bayreuth, 11 November 2013 Dedication In memory of Bernard and Juliana, the finest! i Acknowledgements This doctoral thesis is a result of combined efforts of individuals and institutions. I wish to thank all who kindly helped me to realize it. Foremost I acknowledge the immeasurable guidance, advice and constant academic support from the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) mentoring team: Drs. Franz Kogelmann, Asonzeh Ukah and Bernadin Mfumbusa which made the realization of this study possible. In a very special way I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Franz Kogelmann who introduced St. Augustine University of Tanzania to Bayreuth University. Through his efforts I was able to join BIGSAS. Equally my sincere appreciation goes to Bishop Dr. Bernardin Mfumbusa who encouraged me to study media and has been invaluable on both academic and personal levels, for which I am very grateful. I would like to seize the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and recognition to Prof. Dr. Jürgen E. Müller for accepting to be the final supervisor of this study. My deep appreciation goes to him and his kind way of handling my issue. The scholarship that has allowed me to study at BIGSAS was secured through the “Staff Development Funds” of St.
    [Show full text]
  • The Great American Jewish Awakening : Jonathan Sarna · · ------·------"--·-----··-~·---·-·-·--~
    / -·' , -4 OCTOBER, 1982 VOLUME XXVIn, No. 8 The Great American Jewish Awakening : Jonathan Sarna · · ------·------"--·-----··-~·---·-·-·--~--. -----..---··---· ~--~---- ESSAY 0 The Great American Jewish Awakening JONATHAN D. SARNA bservers of the American jewish scene agree that· In the major Jewish religious movements, the same an important change has taken place in the last transformation can be seen. A new series of pamphlet~ O 10 years. There is talk of a "Jewish revival,'' "a by Daniel B. Syme, "highlighting the why and how of reawakening of American Jewish life," and a "revitaliza­ Jewish living in the home" reflects developments· that tion ofJewish tradition." Orthodox Judaism claims to be have taken place in Reform Jewish circles. The guide1 gaining strength,. its ranks swelled by; according to one aim specifically at encouraging ritual observance; the) estimate, "tens. of thousands" of baale teshuva,Jew~ who are a far cry from old Union of American Hebrew adopt the lifestyle of the faithful. At least one Jewish Congregation pamphlets devoted to such ponderous journalist predicts that we are living in an "apocalyptic topics as "The Faith and Message of the Prophets;· time." "jewish Ethics," and "The Universal Lord." In Reforrr· Hyperbole notwithstanding, American judaism Judaism· today one encounters Jews who pray· with really has undergone a transformation. Many remain heads covered and shoulders draped in a talis, Jews whv unaffected; some recoil in horror. Still, across the spec­ observe dietary laws, and Jews who stricdy observe the trum of Jewish life new interest in tradition and ritual Sabbath. Classical Reform, with its disdain for tradition manifests itself. To take just an example, the General and neglect of ritual, claims fewer and fewer adherents.
    [Show full text]