I believe in LOVING GOD WITHOUT RELIGION and respect all faiths and religions. However, knowing the source Bible in its source language of GOD and being gifted the code2GOD, I can’t ignore the gross mistranslations in King James “bible” and the fictional formation of hell, heaven, unicorns, etc. which were further manipulated but religious sects for personal gain of power and money.
What can be viewed as even worse, in my opinion, is Jewish fanatism of clearly understanding the Word of GOD and yet forcing their captive followers to follow rules which are dated or not applicable.
To some degree, I also hold the Jewish leaders responsible for not doing enough in being “beacon to the nations אור לגויים”. The comparison between the religions was only meant to illustrate a point that many might not accept.
If a contemporary Christian or Muslim is asked why he believes in Jesus or Muhammad, he will say that he received it from his Biblical ancestors, but if we go back there is no continuous connection between his Biblical ancestors and the people who directly witnessed the activities of Jesus or Muhammad.
What is revealed is that at some point his Biblical ancestors were persuaded to convert to Christianity or Islam following the influence of missionaries or conquerors.
In Judaism, on the other hand, there is a tradition of an entire people experiencing that GOD exists, when throughout the history known to us, each generation has testified to its sons that it received it from its Biblical ancestors, back to the first Biblical ancestors who attended the same events themselves.
The founding events of the People of Israel, the Exodus from Egypt, and the status of Mount Sinai, are unique in human history: there is no other nation that testifies that GOD was revealed to an entire people, in prolonged revelation and miracles that lasted for decades, changing history and geopolitical reality throughout the region. Other religions are usually based on local and short-lived miracles in front of a limited audience, which have not brought about significant changes in history.
Judaism, on the other hand, tells of ten plagues that conquered a strong power, of the parting of the Red Sea, of a man who miraculously nourished in the wilderness an entire nation over 40 years. The very uniqueness of the Jewish tradition is evidence of its truth, for if these are fictional stories, how is it possible that no other people or religion invented such stories for themselves?
Not only the stories, but also the messages of the Torah are clearly unusual in light of their time and place: work for only one GOD, indescribable in statue and figure, direct connection between GOD and the whole nation, social demands, and more.
All these factors attest to the credibility of the Jewish tradition and make belief in it rational. For more on the subject, and for answers to the criticisms against the tradition.
