Ben > wrote:

> No one is perfect. We try and hopefully work on improving ourselves. I don't

You know, Ben, I've been lurking in this thread and you're
all right. I like a guy who can hold a religious discussion
on usenet and not degenerate into a flame war.

> even change as a result. I can admit that I am wrong. But the issue here is
> being accused of intolerance because I don't believe in the "truths" pushed by
> a completely different religion trying to fool people by using the term
> "Judaism". LIke I said already - in the commercial world this is called
> trademark infringement and is illegal (at least in the U.S.)

This is normal for religions too. I know of several Christian churches
who basically say they are the only true Christians and anyone else
calling themselve that are wrong. I'm pretty sure there are differing
sects of Islam that probably call all the others false also.
So, I understand your point that Conservative and Reform Jews do not
qualify for the term as you understand it.

> But my impression is that many Americans think that anyone who disagrees with
> them is automatically a bigot (based on the observation of other threads in
> other newsgroups). Society works well with tolerance but you have not
> demonstrated that you even know what it means. Did I label you with any
> insulting American terms in this discussion? No. But as soon as someone
> disagrees with your outlook you are quick to insult.

Well, I just wanted to say that at least *I* have appreciated
what you are saying. I may not agree with you on religion, in fact
I most certainly do not, but I respect your belief. Of course,
this is getting seriously off topic for a cooking group, but nothing
new there. I've enjoyed learning a little bit about your perspective.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.