[title]Family quotes[/title] [description]Welcome to our family quotes section! Here you'll find some of the funniest (and wisest) quotes on the subject of family life![/description]
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Latest post Fri, May 29 2009 4:15 AM by cwtch. 5 replies.
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Jackson6612  +  745903 Sun, 24 May 09 09:48 PM
I read this comment on Youtube. Can you please tell me in what parts of Europe synagogues need guards?

Why don't synagogues in Iran need armed guards like they do in many parts of Europe?
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Patrick Lockerby  +  746172 Mon, 25 May 09 02:48 AM
I think it is an exaggeration to imply that synagogues need armed guards 'in many parts of Europe'.  Unfortunately, it may be necessary from time to time to protect synagogues from attack.  For example, during both Gulf wars there was a need for the police in the UK and other countries to protect synagogues, but the vast majority of people everywhere that I have traveled are extremely tolerant of all religions.


As for synagogues in Iran, and why they don't need armed guards, I think the BBC explains it best:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5367892.stm

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Patrick
Jackson6612  +  746979 Mon, 25 May 09 02:32 PM
Hi Patrick,

Thank you for the article link. Israel didn't take part in Gulf Wars, so what do Gulf Wars have to do with the protection of synagogues?

Patrick Lockerby
“For example, during both Gulf wars there was a need for the police in the UK and other countries to protect synagogues”
Patrick Lockerby  +  747240 Mon, 25 May 09 05:59 PM
Jackson6612
“Hi Patrick,

Thank you for the article link. Israel didn't take part in Gulf Wars, so what do Gulf Wars have to do with the protection of synagogues?

Patrick Lockerby
“For example, during both Gulf wars there was a need for the police in the UK and other countries to protect synagogues”


Unfortunately there are a few people in the world who want to blame Israel, or Jews in general, for all sorts of problems.  At the time of the gulf wars there were a few protests in England against Jews, as if they were the cause of the problem.


I don't want to go too far into this subject here because it is too political for an EFL site.  I hope you understand the problem.  The topic is what we call 'a hot potato' - most people don't want to hold onto it.

Jackson6612  +  747247 Mon, 25 May 09 06:07 PM
Thank you for the clarification, Patrick.
cwtch  +  753531 Fri, 29 May 09 04:15 AM
Ironically, Persia throughout most of its history has been more benevolent to Jews than many other countries.  The Jews in Persia migrated from Babylon in about the 6th century BCE.    When Cyrus the Great of Persia (Achaemenid Empire) conquered Babylon, he allowed the Jews of Babylon to return to Israel/Judea/Palestine or to be assimilated into the Persian Empire.   The Jews of Persia under Cyrus were allowed to stay or leave as they pleased.

 

Throughout most of Persian/Iranian history, Jews were treated well and were allowed to maintain their customs and identies.  They mostly spoke Persian as their main language and considered themselves to be Persians.

 

In more recent times, Iran was a modern forward-looking country.  This all changed with the Aytollah's coup that most of us remember from childhood.

 

The conflict between Iran and Jews/Israel is a very modern and sad event.

 

I have an Iranian pen-pal and she is completely dismayed with the state of affairs in her country.  She says that most Iranians hate their government, want more freedom and do not hate Jews or America.  They look at the pictures of their parents in their disco clothes, drinking and having fun and feel that they have been cheated out of their destiny. 

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