I've been reading #quotes by #ThomasPaine this morning. I don't recall why. Paine's writings are mixed on the topic of #religion, sometimes they have the appearance of christian language and at other times they are expressly atheist and even virulently anti-religious. This one struck me as having not aged particularly well.
@danielbsmith Paine was vehemently opposed to any religion based upon "revealed scripture". Sadly, he was also extremely antisemitic and reserved the worst of his vitriol for Jewish people, reasoning that the horribly violent Old Testament came from their traditions — which showed a profound lack of understanding of Judaism on his part.
@danielbsmith What worries me is that the powers that be in Israel see the existence of Palestinians as a threat to the Jewish State, and some have been talking about "elimination" (even a "final solution"). History sometimes repeats itself in unexpected ways. 😢
@sanau Do you see any other solutions? The Palestinians in Gaza will only be satisfied with one thing: the death of every Israeli and the elimination of the state of Israel.
How can Israel negotiate with that?
The Gazans have their autonomy. They even get their electricity and water from Israel. Live and let live is unacceptable to them. All of the sane Palestinians emigrated to Egypt. Only the die hard terrorists remain.
So what other options are left except a return to the status quo?
@danielbsmith There is never, ever a justification for genocide.
NEVER.
@sanau I should point out that exploring his quotes today was completely coincidental to recent events in Israel. I do not support the Palestinians in this attack on Israel just as I do not support Russia's attack on Ukraine. I pray that the Israelis are able to swiftly push the invaders back, rescue the hostages, and eliminate all who threaten the Jewish State.