David Boaz and all who try to interpret theology through an English translation of a document in an ancient language - you can't.

All religions are created by theologians. Jewish teaching is that all good people can enter heaven and I have yet to meet one modern Jew who believes in heaven (a lot don't) and who does not expect to share it with others.

In the case of the middle east we unfortunately have a number of disfunctional nations where the difference in wealth between the rich and the poor is obscene and huge areas of poverty create a breeding ground for hatred. Schools such as the Madrasas which teach extreme ideologies and hatred of others do not exist in functional countries like Japan Taiwan India UK Australia USA etc.

As a result of this Muslims have been fighting everywhere - Iraq and Iran, Dafuur Lebanon Afghanistan. They are either fighting each other Shiites against Sunnis or Muslims against Christians or Jews. If Israel was not there they would still be fighting and Lebanon would still be a murderous mess.

Israel is trying to defend itself. Until the Islamic nations have sorted themselves out and Islam is no longer used an excuse to kill others any group in the middle east is in trouble.

I repeat that Egypt and Jordan eventually made peace with Israel and Israel does not attack either of them.

logic:

"madrasas"?

How do you explain the Israeli kids writing messages on artillery shells bound for places like Qana?

How do you explain the groupthink in evidence in your own and other posts on OLO?

rancitas

I agree totally with you that Islam is not the cause of the problem. Islam is a great faith which preserved Western civilization from barbarism. It has been perverted by hot heads and fanatics and presented as something which it is not.

However two corrections.

Eye for an eye is not considered by Jewish law to mean retribution. That view was an invention of mediaeval Christians to denegrate Judaism. Jewish law like Islam and Christianity forbids revenge. "Show mercy for vengeance is mine said the Lord". Check a Rabbinical website for a proper understanding of the ancient Hebrew text.

Israel is not in Lebanon for a payback for two soldiers. It is there because of thousands of missiles stored there have been fired on Israel for some time now and thousands more are on their way from despotic regimes.

Israel does not want to be destroyed and neither would any other nation in the same situation. Since the missiles are hidden amongst civilians what should Israel do?

Suggestions anyone? Marilyn Shephard, Strewth, what is it that you actually want? We don't want Jewish children killed any more than Arab children. Don't we?

Marilyn,

I think you make a good point that's overlooked by the media. The media buys the Israeli spin verbatim that it's Hezbollah's fault for endangering their civilians. Hezbollah fires rockets from civilian areas, hence Israel claims Lebanese civilians are legitimate targets.

But the same argument could easily be made of Israel. Every Israeli Jew (note: Israeli Arabs need not apply in this 'democracy') must serve in the military. Basically ALL Israeli Jews are reservists that can be called up in an emergency. Hence, practically every household in Israel has an automatic weapon in it. That is, unlike Lebanon where most people are civilians, all Israeli Jews are legitimate targets.

Strange how we don't hear that from the Israel First crowd.

Israel
Go home and stay home.
Get out of Lebanon and the West Bank now.

logic:

My previous two questions still stand.

"Thousands of missiles stored there [Lebanon] have been fired on Israel for some time now": "Thousands"? Document this. "For some time now": Tell us, chapter & verse, how many were fired BEFORE Israel began shelling and dropping bombs all over Lebanon and how many AFTER and in response to that Israeli shelling & bombing.

Also, how many Israeli shells and bombs (inc cluster & phosphorus) have fallen on Lebanon and Gaza? How many Israeli nukes lie in wait?

What do I want? For starters, I want the Israeli bully to be restrained from further abusing the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. What do I want from you? An end to the self-deception and propaganda.