Labels and smear tactics are common for those who have no legitimate discussion or argument to present. I believe that Anti-Semitism exists and since Arabs are Semitic people as well, they are also recipients. I'm constantly amazed at how similar the Jewish and Arab cultures are. They have similar linguistic roots ("Sholem Alecheim" and "Salam Alekham") and yet they seem to find it necessary to go at each other. It seems the same problem in Ireland as well and possibly the Baltic countries. It has to be considered that there are many different branches of Judaism and one branch doesn't have a corner on enlightenment. Some Orthodox Jews don't even acknowledge Conservative or Reformed Jews as being Jewish. It's analogy would be as in Christianity, there are many opposing sects as well. I consider myself to be a secular humanist with Jewish roots. I adhere to the principles of "Haskala", the Enlightenment which frees from the restriction of organized orthodoxy in religion. I am therefore in discussion with those about religion in general, an atheist. I refuse to discuss openly my belief system with doctrinaire religious zealots. I am what's called a "Freethinker". I think it's significant that many Left-wing intellectuals were culturally Jewish. I would find it very difficult for someone of the Jewish tradition to claim that they were alone the spokesperson for all Jews. That would be tatamount to a kind of madness in my view. I believe that in a discussion of anti-any religion, you gotta' look at the larger picture of growing intolerance in a world that poses enemies and breeds demogoguery. It's not just a problem for Jewish people but for everyone, today regardless of their religious affiliation or choice not to affiliate. Frank
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