Living in Texas is a very interesting dynamic in religion and society. Having lived here now for two years, I have learned to be very willing to accept Christianity. Yes, Dallas has a large Jewish population, but like many other parts of the United States, we are still the minority. And in Texas, and Dallas in particular, the Bible Belt is alive and well. Grand monuments to Jesus Christ can be found around every corner just like 7-11’s. Their presence is noticeable everywhere. Gas stations, voice mail messages, billboards and even at the local fairs. Most of the Christians keep to themselves and don’t bother others. But on occasion, you get the “Jesus can save you” saying. I am a smoker, and I was outside my office building the other day, when a young lady approached me: “Would you like to quite smoking?” the young lady asked me.“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind”, I replied.“Then Jesus is your savior.” She says with a smile, “follow him and he can save you”“Thank, but not interested”
Little things like this show how people think that their religious ways are the only ways and all others should follow them. I am ok with what others what to believe and follow. But I am Jewish. Being Jewish is who I am. The other time is from someone I work with. He has been trying to get me read books by Jews have converted and come to Church with him. He believes in the New Testament and doesn’t believe the Jews are the chosen people. He feels that I am lost with out following Jesus Christ. It is interesting living in Baptist country. I have had many encounters. These have included Baptist, Christians, Lutherans, you name it. In fact I had a conversation with a Baptist I know and he brought up how the Southern Baptist Convention, back in 1996, declared their role to convert Jews and how it is their mission. So I decided to research this. And low and behold, he was right. During their annual convention of June 11-13, 1996, the Southern Baptist Convention developed the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sine should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47); and
WHEREAS, Our evangelistic efforts have largely neglected the Jewish people, both at home and abroad; and WHEREAS, We are indebted to the Jewish people, through who we have received the Scriptures and our Savior, the Messiah of Israel, and “they are beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Romans 11:28, B); and
WHEREAS, There has been an organized effort on the part of some either to deny the that Jewish people need to come to their Messiah, Jesus, to be saved; or to claim, for whatever reason, that Christians have neither right nor obligation to proclaim the gospel to the Jewish people; and WHEREAS, There is evidence of a growing responsiveness among the Jewish people in some areas of our nation and our world; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in New Orleans, LA, June 11-13, 1996, reaffirm that we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we recommit ourselves to prayer, especially for the salvation of the Jewish People as well as for the salvation of “every kindred and tongue and people and nation” (Revelations 5:9); and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That we direct our energies and resources toward the proclamation of the gospel to the Jewish people.
WOW! I never knew that the Baptist felt this way. I have only had one run in with a Baptist who tried to covert me. Here is the story: I sell health insurance for a living. And I meet people at their homes. Most people are fine and only want to talk business. So, I go to see, we will call him John, to see what I can do to cover him and his daughter with insurance. As the presentation completed, John raised his hand and asked me to silent for a moment. Ok. No problem. Then he looked me squarely in the face. “Are you Christian” he asked me“No, I am Jewish” I replied, being a little surprised at the question.“Well, that is ok” he responded hesitantly, then continued “G-d and Jesus just spoke to me.”“Ok”, now starting to feel a little uncomfortable.“Do you like selling health insurance, Brian?” he asked me“Yeah, I enjoy helping people”“Then G-d and Jesus will make sure that you are successful at it. Though they would help even more if you would follow Jesus Christ as your lord and savior”
I asked John if it made a difference that I was Jewish. He told me no, but it would be easier if I found Jesus. At this point, I thanked him for his time and apologized that I was unable to come up with a plan to fit his budget and left. As I drove away, I thought about the whole meeting. John lived in near squalor conditions, not dirty, but not spotless. He told me how he was in to drugs and alcohol and how he found Jesus. And how Jesus will provide and protect him. Like I said earlier, I am ok with what people want to believe. But after leaving John’s apartment, I thought how long you can go on believing that Jesus will provide. This man had barely any food in the house, very old clothes, a very old tv. Belief in religion is a wonderful and strong mindset. But it does not put food on the table or pay the bills. How could John expect me want to follow him? After seeing his living conditions, that alone scared me off. John isn’t wrong in his beliefs. He chose as the best road for him. I respect that. But is G-d and Jesus worried about a single person’s issue or they concerned with the world as a whole? Isn’t this religious bigotry at its most basic level? Religious tolerance is built into the Constitution of the United States. I respect all religions. Why can’t some find it in there heart to respect mine?
