ambassador
Is 'Judeo/Christianity' a myth ?
8 Answers
jhharlan
Bob/PKB
daren1
Question: "What is the Judeo-Christian ?
Answer: The term “Judeo-Christian” refers to something that has its source in the common foundations of Judaism and Christianity. The Bible includes the Jewish Scriptures of the Old Testament, so the moral foundations laid down in Judaism are upheld in Christianity. The first use of the term "Judeo-Christian ethic" was apparently by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in his 1888 book The Antichrist: Curse on Christianity. The early uses of the term "Judeo-Christian ethic" referred to the Jewish roots and identity of the early Christian church, but it wasn't used to speak of a common set of morals until much later.
In 1952, President-elect Dwight Eisenhower, speaking to the Freedoms Foundation in New York, said, "Our sense of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply religious faith, and I don't care what it is. With us of course it is the Judeo-Christian concept, but it must be a religion that all men are created equal." This began the modern use of the term in American political and social circles. From Eisenhower's day to the present, the term has become particularly associated with political conservatives in America, though there are much broader applications. In our American military schools, it is commonly taught that the modern rules for war, like the protection of captives and non-combatants, are based on biblical themes. American jurisprudence is firmly based in Judeo-Christian ethics and celebrates that fact with a variety of artwork throughout Washington, D.C. In the House of Representatives there are 23 marble relief portraits of great lawgivers, including Moses, who is given the central point of focus. The sculptures over the main entrance to the Supreme Court building are centered on Moses with the Ten Commandments, and there are several other representations of Moses and the Ten Commandments in various places throughout the building.
Though there are many aspects to the Judeo-Christian ethic, some of the more common ones are the sanctity of human life, personal responsibility, a high regard for marriage, and compassion for others. Much of what is best in Western civilization can be directly attributed to the Judeo-Christian ethic. Historian Thomas Cahill, in pointing out the common themes of Christianity and Judaism, said, “The heart of the Torah is not obedience to regulations about such things as diet—what one may eat, whom one may eat with, how one must prepare oneself beforehand—but to tzedakka, justice like God's Justice, justice toward the downtrodden.” The foundations of the Judeo-Christian ethic can be summarized in the “Golden Rule” which Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Recommended Resource: Faith of Israel, 2d ed.: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament by William Dumbrell.
| 11 years ago. Rating: 5 | |
terryfossil 1
Christians did not come from JEWS..christianity came to be after the death of Christ. before that there was only Jews and Gentiles, the Jews could not follow God and nor could the Gentiles,,so the death of Christ became the bridge back to God via the death of Christ.. Muslims did not kick off untill 300 years after the death of christ,,thats when Mohhommed kicked off..nice talking .............................................................................................................
| 10 years ago. Rating: 5 | |
nomdeplume
Surely our founding beliefs were Judaic as the religion started about 4,000 years ago, but Christianity is only about 2,00 years old. Of course other religions preceded Judaism such as animism and pagan beliefs dating back at least 10,000 years. I suggest you read ;The Story of God' by Robert Winston, a very readable and unbiased account of the relationship between science and religion across time.
| 11 years ago. Rating: 4 | |
mycatsmom
To Ambassador - - - -What it means is that jews and early christians both worshiped the same god. Many early christians started out as jewish. Both the jewish religion and the Christian religion are monotheistic i.e. They believe in just one god. The Greeks and the Egyptians believed in many gods.That's why God didn't choose them to reveal himself to. You could say Jews and Christians are cousins, or at least step brothers and step sisters.,,,,ok how about half-brothers and sisters. ?
| 11 years ago. Rating: 3 | |
Helloirene
in the U,S. most are referred to as ''Judeo/Christian, most Jews believe in the Christian way ,, they are very close related.
| 11 years ago. Rating: 3 | |
I know there is a close relationship in some ways and in other important ways they are world's apart since Jews deny half of what most Christians believe.
some may believe in some Christian ways, but not in the way to Heaven.
that's critically different.
Thanks for your response.
sawali
ambassador, judeo-christian is a reference. Jews were Jews ad Christians were Christian much like today. But referring to similarities and traditions of that time, this reference is made. That does not change the fact that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all of Abrahamic decent.
| 11 years ago. Rating: 2 | |
