Jewish "Modesty Patrols" Sow Fear In Israel

[ccharles000]

JERUSALEM — In Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, where the rule of law sometimes takes a back seat to the rule of God, zealots are on a campaign to stamp out behavior they consider unchaste. They hurl stones at women for such "sins" as wearing a red blouse, and attack stores selling devices that can access the Internet.

In recent weeks, self-styled "modesty patrols" have been accused of breaking into the apartment of a Jerusalem woman and beating her for allegedly consorting with men. They have torched a store that sells MP4 players, fearing devout Jews would use them to download pornography.

"These breaches of purity and modesty endanger our community," said 38-year-old Elchanan Blau, defending the bearded, black-robed zealots. "If it takes fire to get them to stop, then so be it."

Many ultra-Orthodox Jews are dismayed by the violence, but the enforcers often enjoy quiet approval from rabbis eager to protect their own reputations as guardians of the faith, community members say. And while some welcome anything that keeps secular culture out of their cloistered world, others feel terrorized, knowing that the mere perception of impropriety could ruin their lives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/04/jewish-modesty-patrols-so_n_131960.html

[TomClash]

1. The Israeli Taliban

Mentally soiled elements of most religions act this way.

[marshall]

7. They're learning from their neighbor countries

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

[Bippity Boo]

2. Helpful suggestion...

"They have torched a store that sells MP4 players, fearing devout Jews would use them to download pornography."

Next they need to killing everyone in town because people could have porn in their brains.

[tpsbmam]

3. The fundamentalists everywhere are getting on my last nerve. Their

hypocrisy and complete lack of ability or refusal to see that they're no better than the fundamentalists they denounce in other religions is just astounding. Hate breeds hate and ALL of the radical fringes of ALL religions are making this world a far worse place.

[KharmaTrain]

8. It's "Superiority"

I have little tolerance for the "holier than thous"...no matter what faith. I've met my share of ultra-orthdox Jews in my life and it's not as much as they denounce others (which they do), but that they feel they are so much better than others. The absolutism is what drives them...they are so brainwashed and convinced in their being right as anything else. Thus when they encounter someone who even questions, there is no tolerance...and given the power, they will push their agenda with little care or interest in opposing views or lifestyles.

Hate breeds when the intolerance form on opposing sides...when it becomes a political rather than religious agenda and where power is concerned.

Cheers...

[YOY]

4. A fundie is a fundie is a fundie...

The last poster who attacked me for saying exactly this was one of the so-called PUMAs.

Of course she claimed Jewish exceptionalism (sorry but ALL organized religions are vulnerable to it) and then backed it up by claiming to be an Atheist...sure Freda...sure you are/were an Atheist.

Happens in Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judism...as well as any other religion you can think of.

[Philosoraptor]

5. Absolutely Religulous

[Lyric]

6. The world will be a better, more welcoming place for all human beings when

violence and oppression in the name of God and God's Law is finally quiet--across the nations, and across the faiths.

I can't imagine that there's anything less pleasing to God (or Goddess, or Gods) than people who hurt and maim and bomb and burn in his name.

[marmar]

9. Religious fundamentalism of all stripes has f**ked up the world more than anything else.....

:argh: