PSA: Please do not host a Christian seder

[Anonymous]

I’m a Christian and an Interfaith Minister. I’ve never met a Jewish person who took issue with non-Jews participating in a Seder. It’s a story of liberation. Of freedom from slavery. It’s not a “Christian” holiday. But it is a story of faith, perseverance, and triumph. Both Christians and Jews recognize the same Abrahamic God. The God that we believe guided them out of slavery and oppression. It is literally a retelling of a story from the OT. Most Christians do still believe the stories. Even those like me who view sacred scripture as mostly allegory understand the importance of the lessons in these stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to start a new “Easter” tradition. We will have a festive meal in which we recount the long lists of false messiahs from Shabbtai Tsvi to Jesus. During the hours he supposedly stood on the cross, we will recount the names of Jews murdered in his name, of course we won’t make it very far through the list, given its size. I’m thinking Jell-O shots (WASP-fare) with blood orange emulsion (to recall blood libel), and peeps dioramas of auto de fes? I mean, Christianity is part of our history and freedom of religion and all that.

Have at! You do you. What you do is not my business and has no impact on my faith or freedoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Christian and an Interfaith Minister. I’ve never met a Jewish person who took issue with non-Jews participating in a Seder. It’s a story of liberation. Of freedom from slavery. It’s not a “Christian” holiday. But it is a story of faith, perseverance, and triumph. Both Christians and Jews recognize the same Abrahamic God. The God that we believe guided them out of slavery and oppression. It is literally a retelling of a story from the OT. Most Christians do still believe the stories. Even those like me who view sacred scripture as mostly allegory understand the importance of the lessons in these stories.

People have explained this many times.

Surely as a minister you should realize the problems with appropriation of the rabbinic Seder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Christian and an Interfaith Minister. I’ve never met a Jewish person who took issue with non-Jews participating in a Seder. It’s a story of liberation. Of freedom from slavery. It’s not a “Christian” holiday. But it is a story of faith, perseverance, and triumph. Both Christians and Jews recognize the same Abrahamic God. The God that we believe guided them out of slavery and oppression. It is literally a retelling of a story from the OT. Most Christians do still believe the stories. Even those like me who view sacred scripture as mostly allegory understand the importance of the lessons in these stories.

The story of Jews as slaves in Egypt isn’t like Jonah and the whale.

Did the Red Sea part? Probably not.

But Jews were slaves in Egypt. That’s a historical fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:31 pages of two groups arguing about which of their made up stories are more true. Nothing is absolutely sacred, there is only what is sacred to the individual. The beauty of America is that everyone is free to do whatever they want. Frankly, I'm offended by the tax breaks given to groups simply because they call themselves a religion, but what can you do? Live and let live.

You’re so ignorant. Jews were slaves in Egypt. That’s a fact.

[Anonymous]

So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:31 pages of two groups arguing about which of their made up stories are more true. Nothing is absolutely sacred, there is only what is sacred to the individual. The beauty of America is that everyone is free to do whatever they want. Frankly, I'm offended by the tax breaks given to groups simply because they call themselves a religion, but what can you do? Live and let live.

Freedom doesn’t mean it’s ok to disrespect people. Please just move on if this thread doesn’t interest you.

NP, but, actually it kind of does.

No — it means I can’t stop you from disrespecting my religion. But you still might consider not doing so.

It means you can ask, but can't force someone to do what you asked.

It means you can derive some pleasure from being holier-than-thou on a public message board, but you can't stop people from thinking ill of you.

It means anyone else can do the same thing.

If you define pointing out religious appropriation as being holier than thou, then I really don’t know what to say.

I also want to point out that plenty of Christians on this thread have called out Christians who insist on having these Seders as being self-centered, ignorant about their religion, etc.

So you DO know what to say -- it's OK if others have said the same thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

I mean, she me would say mind your business and stop telling others how to practice their faith. -np

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

I mean, she me would say mind your business and stop telling others how to practice their faith. -np

I’m not going to explain religious appropriation to you once again because clearly you don’t care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Christian and an Interfaith Minister. I’ve never met a Jewish person who took issue with non-Jews participating in a Seder. It’s a story of liberation. Of freedom from slavery. It’s not a “Christian” holiday. But it is a story of faith, perseverance, and triumph. Both Christians and Jews recognize the same Abrahamic God. The God that we believe guided them out of slavery and oppression. It is literally a retelling of a story from the OT. Most Christians do still believe the stories. Even those like me who view sacred scripture as mostly allegory understand the importance of the lessons in these stories.

Wow. This is the height of arrogance!!

First of all let me introduce myself as a Jew who is offended by Christian seders. Hi.

Second -- there are many links in this post to articles written by Jews that explain why this is offensive. The fact that you choose to disregard this in favor of a handful of Jews you claim don't care makes me scared for your congregation.

Third --I frankly find it hard to believe that none of the Jews that you've ever met were offended by Christians calling matzo the body of Christ and (kosher) wine the blood of Christ.


I just don't believe you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

I mean, she me would say mind your business and stop telling others how to practice their faith. -np

I’m not going to explain religious appropriation to you once again because clearly you don’t care.

I don’t care what you think of my faith or how I practice in my home and in my church.

I. Don’t. Care.

I also don’t think it’s any of my business how you choose to worship in your own home or place of worship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

I mean, she me would say mind your business and stop telling others how to practice their faith. -np

I’m not going to explain religious appropriation to you once again because clearly you don’t care.

I don’t care what you think of my faith or how I practice in my home and in my church.

I. Don’t. Care.

I also don’t think it’s any of my business how you choose to worship in your own home or place of worship.

Yes, you’ve made that very clear.

I guess I can’t understand someone who responds to the statement, “this is religious appropriation and is offensive” with “I do what I want!”

You are a very different type of person than I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I guess I can have a minstrel show in my house.

Freedom of expression, right? No problems.

In your own home, yes -- you can do things that are not in good taste privately that you wouldn't do in public.

I mean, some would say you shouldn’t be offensive, even in your own home.

It’s a higher standard of behavior.

I mean, she me would say mind your business and stop telling others how to practice their faith. -np

I’m not going to explain religious appropriation to you once again because clearly you don’t care.

I don’t care what you think of my faith or how I practice in my home and in my church.

I. Don’t. Care.

I also don’t think it’s any of my business how you choose to worship in your own home or place of worship.

Yes, you’ve made that very clear.

I guess I can’t understand someone who responds to the statement, “this is religious appropriation and is offensive” with “I do what I want!”

You are a very different type of person than I am.

Yes, that is clear. I am the type of person who worships in my own way in my own home and in my church, and who understand that in this country, others are free to worship as they see fit in their homes and in their places of worship. I don't like, agree with, appreciate, or understand aspects of other religions. But I respect everyone's right to worship as they see fit, as their God or diety calls them to do.

Clearly, you don't think other people have the right to their own beliefs and their own traditions, practices, events, gatherings, readings, etc.

Yes, we are very different people.

Have a peaceful day.