Yeah, I wasn't referring to Green...
Isn't one of the things Christian are big on forgiveness? Turning the other cheek? Green has issued an apology, who are you to judge his sincerity? What ever happened to "judge not lest ye be judged?" Green has also stated that he and his company will be working to rectify the situation. What more would you have him do?
Are you aware of the fact that Green gives a considerable amount of money to Yad Vashem, as well as to other museums and synagogues in Israel and the United States? Didn't think so.
Were you aware that on Oct. 4, the ADL accepted Hobby Lobby’s apology, and strongly defended the company? Didn't think so...
“ADL firmly believes that the religious views of a business owner cannot be a basis to infringe upon the legal rights of others, but a store choosing not to carry Hanukkah items does not violate anyone’s rights,” read the statement, which was released before the announcement about the merchandising decision.
“Moreover, we have no reason to believe that Hobby Lobby has refused to stock Hanukkah items because of hostility to Jews or anti-Semitism,” the ADL statement continued.
The man made a mistake, probably a mistake rooted in the bottom line. He's admitted, apologized, and one of the biggest and most powerful anti-Semitism groups has accepted that apology and defended Steve Green.
But somehow you know better. You have chosen to be the man's judge.
That is arrogance.
Well then the Jews and Rabbis who are questioning his sincerity must be arrogant too, Hmjick. Either that or perhaps you don't understand God's definition of arrogance vs. your own. Yes, I believe that might be closer to the truth here. You see the Apostles were very clear on identifying false Christians / false teachers within their own ranks. They didn't pat them on the head and tip toe around them but they boldly called them out on it. They didn't behave even as some Republicans who know they have liars and imposters in their ranks but out of loyalty to party rather than country they refuse to confront it and clean house. We see how that has ended up.. they no longer have a party. But what is that to me? I no longer have anything to do with all of that so let them sort it out.
Last night after I had requested Connery close this as it appeared to be going no where - I got a very interesting email from a precious Jewish friend and guess what he said? He said he wasn't so certain about what motivated Mr. Greens sudden turn around and willingness to allow a couple of "test stores" to sell Jewish items in NY and NJ. Why? Because prior to this he wasn't willing and this even while knowing that his Hobby Lobby stores in one particular case were located right smack in the center of Highly populated Jewish area! Of course it would have made big money off that Jewish population before and as a business man he knew that. He heard the complaints a long time ago..
So it never was about money but rather something else. My friend is quite suspicious about this man and what he is actually doing under the "title" of Christian because as the other Jewish man in the article stated......since when has any Christian had a problem with such a thing? This is a first!
Another question I am having hmjick is the matter of Mr. Greens billions which he stores in a bank while proclaiming his Christianity to one and all and is using his own company as his mouthpiece. By their own words, the excuse for Mr. Green not permitting Jewish items / Hannukah items /Passover items in his store was because, "Mr. Green is a Christian, and those are his values." ( those are not Christian values)
Therein lies my problem with Mr. Green. Had Mr. Green been a Muslim and said, this is against my values to sell Crosses in my stores, I would not stop buying other decorations at his store because obviously the Muslim man is following his own faith of Islam and this is against his personal beliefs to sell certain items - perhaps pork would be another one... if it were that sort of store and guess what? Again, I would say I understand why he feels that way and I will still buy an ice cream sundae or gasoline when I drive by his store! NOT A PROBLEM!!!
My problem with Mr. Green is that while he is using his company spokespeople to put out statements such as Mr. Green is a Christian and these are his values - in response to exluding all Jewish items from his store - that statement does not represent Christianity well at all. As I am a Christian I must take this matter personally. How else can I take it?
Indeed, I must tell you that if that statement is true and Mr. Greens official response for not allowing Hannukah, Passover, Jewish items in his store? Then Mr. Greens values are not Christian and neither is he. Do you understand where I am going with this?
As to Kevins' answer - Mr. Green already has every other sort of religious and non religious pagan merchandise for sale in his store and to my knowledge has not rejected an pagan, yule pagan, christian, islamic crescent and stars decorations or any other type celebratory items other than those of the Judaism faith and therein as he claims to be a "Christian" this is indeed a problem for me. Now his big public apology only compounds the problem as he is once again using his "Christian Values Dilemma" to apologise for his anti semitic practices at his business while not admitting the true motivation for his actions. ( because his actions are not based on Christian values - I'll post bible scriptures to prove my point )
I am a stickler for truth. You'll learn that as we go along here, hmjick. But believe me when I tell you I am happy to see this thread re-opened as I have many scriptures to share in regards to identifying the christian from the business man who comes in under the guise of Christian for his own purposes. The Apostle Paul addressed it very well and so shall we. Stay tuned. - Jeri
