Aspen Ideas’ Post

Why should Christians care about antisemitism? In this video, Nic Lesmeister with Gateway Center for Israel explains what antisemitism is and why it matters. https://lnkd.in/gkgEfFJ4

Today's new #ChristandCulture features a conversation on suffering, as well as a segment on evidence of the resurrection. Listen here: iamgoi.ng/ccpod144

Below is a raw and heartfelt episode of my podcast processing the traumatic aftermath of the horrific attack in southern Israel. As a Jew, I feel the antisemitic hatred behind this personally. I recount my experiences facing irrational hatred for simply being Jewish, a trend that has followed our people across generations. I express gratitude for the widespread global support for Israel and Jews worldwide during this crisis, contrasting with much of our history marked by isolation and vulnerability. Appreciating backing from world leaders and governments, I note how this solidarity diverges from the historical Jewish experience. I argue Israel wages a morally righteous campaign against an insatiable evil rooted in resentment and discontentment and unquenchable void that often devolves into hatred and barbarism towards others. This contrasts with Jewish values of cultivating inner fulfillment independent of material success. While scriptures can be interpreted violently, most good people promote peaceful coexistence. However, some wield them maliciously, revealing their own corrupted nature. Israel aims for peaceful borders, not conquest. Yet to survive, it must defeat those seeking to unjustly seize its land and massacre its citizens. I see Israel as obligated to confront these barbaric forces. With global allies united against such profound evil, I have faith that justice and morality will prevail over hatred and insatiability. This episode covers sensitive but important themes around antisemitism, Middle East geopolitics, and the sanctity of human life. I welcome open and thoughtful discussion on these complex issues. Please listen and share your perspectives. #israel #hamas #middleeast #standwithisrael #antisemitism https://lnkd.in/e3RcpAjm

I wonder how we became an [international] society that prefers hatred and violence over kindness... This speech by J. B. Pritzker made me think about the conflict in the Middle East. There is no doubt that this conflict is complex. There is no doubt that the citizens of Israel and the citizens of the Gaza Strip are suffering (a lot!). It is great that there are people around the world who care about the citizens of both sides and have different opinions about the ways to resolve the conflict. But! I don't understand how people around the world can support cruelty and hatred?! The picture emerging from social and mainstream media, is of ignorant people (who do not know the details of the conflict and do not want to go deeper into understanding it) happily join in the calls for genocide of Jews (from the river to the sea...). People who don't want to think for themselves - don't want to gather information and form their own opinion about the events in the Middle East. They are comfortable being incited to hatred and violence. It is convenient for them to hate. Furthermore, people and international organizations support acts of murder, rape, molest and kidnapping of babies. They are willing to accept behavior that goes against their own core beliefs, in order to express support of one of the parties (e.g. women's organizations are ready to accept rape; UN organizations arm terrorist groups; university presidents are ready to sacrifice some of their students) just to hurt a group of people they were taught to hate. How did we create an enlightened world where people prefer hatred and violence over benevolence? It is clear to me that the solution to the conflict won’t be easy. But a good start would be to stop the hatred, to stop encouraging more violence and above all to open our eyes - to see that this is a complex conflict with many layers, to study it and not to submit to those who encourage us to hate. #standwithhumanity https://lnkd.in/eUAiXsr3

Discover healing from abuse through faith by understanding judgment through the Tree of Knowledge metaphor. Help to let go of self-judgment and find peace. #HealingFromAbuse #RecoveryJourney #JudgmentFreeHealing #HealingThroughFaith #AbuseRecovery

Listen to this conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté, specifically with respect to the needs of #children. As we witness what is happening on a global scale to children, and the silence by international leaders, the sound is deafening. https://lnkd.in/eJku2dMr

How do you use your role in society to create healing in your community? Former Isleta Pueblo Chief Judge Verna Teller discusses how #peacemaking can heal Tribal Nations and communities. Watch: https://lnkd.in/g2Dzei3h

My REMEMBRANCE DAY BLOG: What can we do in the face of increasing division, violence and pain to keep ourselves from either raging or disengaging? How do we honour the vital mantra Never Again? 

No one can deny that we have entered markedly different times since 2020; every month seems to introduce a new what at one time may have considered a once-in-a-lifetime crisis. Now, the crises come one after another. It's sudden runaway inflation, world tension on the brink of a civilization-ending world war. The United States has joined other countries as a post-Christian society. How can we cope and live a meaningful life governed by more than platitudes? I talk to Christian psychologist Dr. Roy Fouch, who gives us insight from both his prison practice and his private practice about how to cope and how to become a constructive Christian.  

For those interested in such conversations, there is is this: