Do We Need God In Our Lives?

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

The threshold questions are whether there is a God[2], and whether the answer to that question matters in our lives?  If we decide, individually, that the answer is “yes,” do we need to attend any church or religious center, much less subscribe to its beliefs and doctrines?  And if so, is Christianity the answer?[3]

There’s a reason why Christianity is the largest religion in the world[4]: it makes sense to millions; and it preaches hope to those who follow Jesus’ teachings.  The words ascribed to Him in the New Testament are its bedrock, and they have withstood the tests of time.  By way of contrast, Judaism is a tiny religion, one of the smallest on Earth.[5]

_____

© 2023, Timothy D. Naegele

_____

[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  My biases are set forth, upfront, in the following article: https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)

[3]  See, e.g., https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/02/christianity-secularization-america-renewal-modernity/672948/ (“American Christianity Is Due for a Revival”)

[4]  See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups (“Major religious groups”)

[5]  See supra n. 4.

American Jews Hide in Fear

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

This is the conclusion of Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, as reported by Newsmax.com:

The spate of anti-Semitic attacks have the Jewish people living in fear now in the United States, potentially creating a society of “secret Jews” retreating to obscurity, according to Rabbi Shmuel “Shmuley” Boteach on Newsmax TV.

“The world’s oldest hatred: we were persecuted in Europe, slaughtered, annihilated, gassed to death, but in America we were protected. I can’t believe this is all happening.”

Boteach, speaking from a home nearby the recent anti-Semitic stabbing attack in Upstate New York where his family and friends were in hiding, called for federal laws that specifically mention anti-Semitism and do not water down the targeted hate under generic hate-crime terms.

“We have to stop this game,” Boteach told host Bob Sellers. “We have to call Jew hatred what it is. First thing is: Special legislation that targets anti-Semitism. You have to use the word anti-Semitism. This is not just another form of bigotry. This is not just another form of prejudice.

“This is a special hatred of the Jewish people that has to be combated, and the United States, land of the free, home of the brave, must take the lead.

Boteach said the recent attacks in and around New York City are targeting those who look and dress like orthodox Jews.

“We are the targets, and it’s very uncomfortable,” Boteach added. 

“It was a religious Jew hatred, now it’s a more racial anti-Semitism. Even if we Jews converted to another religion, they still hate us. All I know is this never happened in the United States.”[2] 

First, it must be stated emphatically: not a single Jew anywhere in this world should hide in fear, or live in fear.

Second, anti-Semitism has been increasing in Europe and globally for more than a decade.[3]  The fact that it is increasing in the United States should not be surprising.

Third, there are a myriad of causes, some of which are understood; others not.  Many Jews and non-Jews blame the policies of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  

He was hated by Barack Obama, the Rabins, and Ariel Sharon.  Indeed, former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s widow Leah—who was described by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres as a “lioness”—believed it was the climate of hate that Netanyahu created during the election campaign of 1995, which laid the groundwork for a Jew to assassinate her husband.  She never forgave Netanyahu and detested him.[4] 

Fourth, the mere fact that anti-Semitism is increasing in the United States and globally is a cause of great concern.  Religion in general is under attack; and Judaism is a very small religion.  There are approximately 2.4 billion Christians in the world, and 1.9 followers of Islam; and the number of Jews is approximately 14.5 million, which makes it one of the smallest religions with the fewest followers.[5]

Fifth, discrimination has probably existed in one form or another since Man set foot on the Earth.  It is not new; and most religious and ethnic groups have been discriminated against in the past.  The fact that Jews are singled out today, even in countries that have few if any Jews, goes to the genesis of discrimination generally, of which anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are merely a part.  The United States is the world’s largest melting pot; and discrimination seems to arise from that fact, instead of religious and ethnic tolerance.[6]

Sixth, as I have written previously:

Since I was a little kid growing up in West Los Angeles, I have always had friends who were Jewish.  . . .  They have helped me; they have loved me; they will be my friends for life; and whatever happens to Israel affects them. It does not affect me; I am not Jewish.

Israel could disappear off the face of the earth today, and it would not affect my life one iota. I could wake up tomorrow and go about my life as if it never happened—similar to the disappearance of Moldova as a nation, which is even larger. However, it might affect the lives of Jewish friends whom I love and care about.[7]

Lastly, former President Barack Obama was and is a racist and an anti-Semite, who did more than any other president to sow the seeds of racism and other divisions.[8]  Perhaps Americans are witnessing the results of what he sowed. 

 

 

© 2020, Timothy D. Naegele

---

[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and https://naegeleblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/timothy-d.-naegele-resume-20-1-1.pdf). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/shmuel-boteach-rabbi-jewish-anti-semitism/2019/12/30/id/947802/ (“Shmuel Boteach to Newsmax TV: US Jews Now Hide in Fear”); see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuley_Boteach (“Shmuley Boteach”)

[3]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/#comment-7039 (“Is Night Falling Again For European Jews?”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/ (“Is Israel Doomed?”)

[4]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/ariel-sharon-is-missed/ (“Ariel Sharon Is Missed”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/19/the-middle-east-is-not-americas-fight/ (“The Middle East Is Not America’s Fight”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/the-madness-of-benjamin-netanyahu/ (“The Madness Of Benjamin Netanyahu”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ (“Israel’s Senseless Killings And War With Iran”)

[5]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religious_populations#Adherent_estimates_in_2019 (“List of religious populations: Adherent estimates in 2019”)

[6]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/islamophobia-is-un-american/ (“Islamophobia Is Un-American”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”)

[7]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/#comment-544 (“Why I Write And Say What I Do”)

[8]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/15/when-will-barack-obamas-trial-for-sedition-begin/ (“When Will Barack Obama’s Trial For Sedition Begin?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/29/barack-obama-is-responsible-for-americas-tragic-racial-divide/ (“Barack Obama Is Responsible For America’s Tragic Racial Divide”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/should-barack-obama-be-executed-for-treason/ (“Should Barack Obama Be Executed For Treason?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2017/10/20/the-real-russian-conspiracy-barack-obama-the-clintons-and-the-sale-of-americas-uranium-to-russias-killer-putin/ (“The Real Russian Conspiracy: Barack Obama, The Clintons, And The Sale Of America’s Uranium To Russia’s Killer Putin”)

Islamophobia Is Un-American

 By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Christianity has 2.2 billion followers. Islam has 1.8 billion followers. At most, Judaism has 14 million followers.  There are radical members of each religious group; and Americans cannot allow fear to generate unbridled hatred and anger.[2]  The United States and the American people are not at war with Islam or its followers. Anyone who suggests otherwise is Islamophobic.

Islamophobia does not have any place in the U.S.  Yet, this is exactly what many are preaching today, which is wrong.  Islamophobia is un-American, and inconsistent with Jesus’ teachings as set forth in the New Testament—just as racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination are evil.  Fear spawns hatred, anger and retribution. Too much of it is present in America and other countries.

According to the rhetoric espoused by some people, one might think that they want to kill all followers of Islam, or attack or discriminate against them, which is absurd and evil unto itself.  A large number of Americans are afraid. But their fear is nothing when compared with the fears that were present in the U.S. after 9/11.

We live in difficult and challenging times.[3]  But the terrorist acts of a few cannot be allowed to permeate and change our great nation or the American people.  This is a lesson we learned from World War II.  An estimated 110,000 Japanese-Americans were “interned” at Manzanar in California and at other camps, because of similar fears.[4]

Terrorist attacks have occurred in the U.S. and abroad.  Tragically,  it seems that “terrorism”—in its many forms—will be present for a long time to come.  Kate Steinle was killed brutally in the “sanctuary city” of San Francisco by a known criminal and illegal immigrant.[5]  Oklahoma City was bombed by Timothy McVeigh[6].  More than 900 perished in the religious cult of Jim Jones.[7]  Mass killings occurred recently in Paris[8] and San Bernardino, California[9].  And the list goes on and on.

Large numbers of Americans tune out Barack Obama because of their frustrations, anger and disgust.  Indeed, there is enormous venom with respect to the followers of Islam and him—as well as outright racism—which appears on Web sites in the U.S. and abroad.  Often, violent statements and actions are directed at both.[10]

This is not the American way.

© 2015, Timothy D. Naegele

_______________________________________________

[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and http://www.naegele.com/documents/TimothyD.NaegeleResume.pdf). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com; see also Google search: Timothy D. Naegele

[2]  It has been said: “Muslims are like guns and gun owners. There is only trouble with a small percentage.”

See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/abortions-and-autos-kill-more-in-america-than-guns/ (“Abortions And Autos Kill More In America Than Guns”)

[3]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/global-chaos-and-helter-skelter/ (“Global Chaos And Helter Skelter”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/the-death-of-putin-and-russia-the-final-chapter-of-the-cold-war/ (“The Death Of Putin And Russia: The Final Chapter Of The Cold War”)

[4]  A Japanese submarine attacked the oil fields at Ellwood, north of Santa Barbara, California:

Though damage was minimal, the event was key in triggering the West Coast invasion scare and influenced the decision to intern Japanese-Americans.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Ellwood (“Bombardment of Ellwood”); see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanar (“Manzanar”)

[5]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Kathryn_Steinle (“Shooting of Kathryn Steinle”)

[6]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVeigh (“Timothy McVeigh”)

[7]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones (“Jim Jones”)

[8]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/we-are-all-parisians/ (“We Are All Parisians”)

[9]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino,_California#21st_century

[10]  The President’s religious “origins” in Islam contribute to this.  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”)