yahoo post #11

Discuss the main ideas in False Testament and compare the research to a more traditional perspective.
Daniel Lazare’s article, False Testament, is an article that points out inaccuracies in Hebrew history. He cites archaeology’s recent finds as proof that Judaism is based on a series of lies.
Lazare cites archaeological discoveries as showing that the Jews of the Holy Land were indigenous, that the great prophets of Judaism were possibly combinations of an assortment of local legends, that the great Jewish empire of David was nothing more than an invention, and that Judaism itself possibly blossomed between the two major conquests of Israel and Judah. From the evidence presented, Lazare states that Judaism and the creation of Israel is nothing more than a product "of big-power politics in which every nation aspired to the imperial greatness of Babylon or an Egypt." Lazare’s claims are especially explosive because Judaism is steeped in history. It is their history as the "Chosen Ones" that gives meaning to their lives and faith. Yet, to think that their history is comprised of pure and utter fabrication is mind blowing.

In Jewish history, the Exodus is what defines them as a people. "From the perspective of the Exodus everything fell into place. From the beginning God has been leading, protecting, and shaping his people for the decisive Exodus event that made of the Israelites a nation." This particular event in Jewish history gives them meaning in human existence and as a people, yet, Lazare points out that recent discoveries prove that the Exodus never occurred. He alludes to the fact that a review of Egyptian records reveal that there has never been any mention of a mass escape. Ever. In Jewish history, God revealed to the Jews that they are his "Chosen Ones." They are a nation of two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. They are a nation that is conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians because they did not heed God’s warning to get their act together. This particular event in history gave them meaning in suffering, yet, Lazare points out that Judaism as a religion didn’t even exist at this particular time in history. Also, the two kingdoms were not kingdoms at all. If anything, Judaism was just starting to develop in a strong Israel and a weak Judah after the Assyrian conquest and before the Babylonian conquest.

Lazare mentions the Exodus and the conquests of Israel and Judah as fodder for his claim. A claim that states that recent Jewish history attempts to exploit ancient Jewish history gave rise to what "Israeli archaeologist Eliezer Sukenik described as a specifically ‘Jewish archaeology." It is Jewish archaeology that has enabled politics, religion, and science to meld in Israel and around the world, which ultimately made it almost impossible to question any part of Jewish history. Yet, questioning it has proved to be damning. Not only were events found to be inaccurate in time and place but individuals themselves were found to be completely fabricated. Nothing in the bible, nothing in Jewish history turned out to be true.

Now the Jews are right where they began. They are left to question their history as a people, including all the meanings attributed to them. The are left to question the supposed acts of the collective and whether or not they really happened. They are left to question their history really and whether it is an accidental history or a purposeful one. And finally, they are left to question whether or not they should be decisive in accepting the recent discoveries concerning their history.

What do you think of this topic?
I have never put much into culture, faith, and tradition. I’ve always felt that the aforementioned is both a crutch and a trap. It is a crutch because one can lean too heavily on culture, faith, and tradition to the point where they are completely defined by said culture, faith, and tradition. Culture, faith, and tradition are a trap in that they do not leave to much room for diversity and inclusiveness, which ultimately can lead to arrogance and bigotry. With that said, I think this topic is a non-issue. Why? Whether historical dates are inaccurate or the religion was founded on lie mean nothing to me because it still won’t change the fact people believe it to be true. The history after the lie is all that matters and Judaism now has a history apart from the one purported in the Bible. Judaism exists, the Jews exists, Israel exists, these facts are something a lie cannot remove or take away from.