[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]EmilyQ wrote:
it was just a digression based on Push’s agreement with JB and the cognitive dissonance that seemed to accompany that. It wasn’t about equivalency or a greater-than/less-than.[/quote]
A large distinction exists between Push (or whomever) and Mr. Kroc and TTR, for that matter.
Push and the TTR may or may not agree with my opinion regarding swinging and/or adultery. I don’t care. Similarly, neither man asks me to change my opinion that swinging is bad and, in the eyes of both Judaism and Noahadic religions such as Christianity, a violation of the rules of conduct expected. In short, they tolerate my stuffy and old-fashioned beliefs.
Mr. Kroc, his fellow “gender confused” persons, and their supporters (e.g., Chusin), in contrast, are appalled that I dare label a 300lb man in a dress who claims to be a lesbian as mentally ill and/or violating a number of mitzvah binding upon even non-Jews. Hence, they are not tolerant of my stuffy and old-fashioned beliefs.
I think the source of why people are so intolerant of calling wrong “wrong” is the mistaken Christian belief (by which I mean Christians are mistaken as to the correct Christian belief, not that the Christian belief is incorrect in this circumstance) that “one should not judge.” I’ve been schooled that such is not correct Christian theology. Rather, the exact parable is that "one should not judge the sinner (that is, think you are better than said sinner), but that said sinner shall also “go and sin no more.” In short, the bad act is still a bad act.
And said parable is equally correct in Judaism. I certainly have my share of broken mitzahs; possibly more than they. I just muddle along with G-d’s help. I don’t think I am special or better than Mr. Kroc, Push, or TTR. But I know “wrong” and my own failures at living up to those objective standards would be made worse by lying to someone and telling them that a wrong course of action was OK.
Nor does the existence of an underlying mental or even physical condition make something that is wrong OK.
For example, being a drunk is a bad thing. Now, this bad action (drinking too much, too often) could be caused by a biological tendency to addiction, PTSD, or just habit. No one tells an alcoholic that it is OK to drink too much, too often. Similarly, telling a 300lbs man that his desire to wear a dress and pretend to be a lesbian was OK-- even if caused by some underlying condition not that person’s fault – would be a lie and doing a disservice to said 300lb man.
And finally, regarding TTR:
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Yes, I did interfere in his life. The only time I ever did such a thing in my life.
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I did so for a multiple of reasons:
(A) TTR was undergoing conversion to Orthodox Judaism. That is, real Judaism. While you all may “pff” at our beliefs, I sincerely believe it is a covenant with G-d. It is a basic belief of Judaism that entering said covenant under false pretenses brings bad things upon the person who does so, and his spouse, children, and children of children. Hence, I was concerned.
(B) TTR spent, according to his Rabbi (or Google, if you know TTR’s name), a long time at the very bleeding edge of the tip of the spear protecting this country. He’s a brave, resourceful, man. As noted by many here, he clearly had PTSD and was doing stupid destructive things.
(C) He was about to join the very, very small community of Orthodox outside Israel and the East/West coasts. We get grief for a lot of reasons. Adding a self-destructive cad to our small tribe would be “bad for the Jews” to quote my mother.
And finally, I note that, post my involvement: (A) TTR got highest marks from the Beit Den and successfully converted to Judaism without false pretenses, and I understand had a Bar Mitzvah, choosing the Book of Ruth*; (B) got married to the woman he loved; (C) got treatment for PTSD, (D) is a loving father; and (E) said small Orthodox shul does not have a cad in its mix, but rather an imposing gentleman who easily removes persons who come and disrupt the services.
- Yes, I followed up.
[/quote]
Thank you for clarifying all of that. I’m inclined to agree with most of it, though I would classify the transgendering as difficult or sad, whether in its origins or in outcome, rather than wrong. I believe that those of us born with clarity of sexuality are lucky in the same way that those of us blessed with intelligence have been given an unearned gift.
I rarely disagree with Chushin, but in the case above I do. The outcome for TTR and his wife, which delights me as I feel protective of her, supports that you did the right thing.