Visit your local synagogue to show solidarity against hate?

[Basil the Great]

CNN reports that there is a movement to get both Jews and non-Jews to visit their local synagogue this weekend to show solidarity against hate. What do you think? Should Christians feel free to visit their local synagogue or would it be wrong to do such?

 

[gerbilwoman]

I think it's a nice gesture of human compassion regardless of one's faith. Jesus would want people to show compassion. Plus one could also argue Jesus was Jewish so we should for that reason as well.

 

[JackRT]

When I was head of Christian education at our church, I was also in charge of the adult Bible class. I arranged visits to services at a synagogue, a mosque and a Hindu temple. We all felt right at home in the synagogue. That not surprising because it was the Pharisees who designed the order of service in the synagogue and most of the earliest Christians were Jews who were very familiar with that environment.

 

[Tolworth John]

Should Christians feel free to visit their local synagogue or would it be wrong to do such?

I think it a great idea, but wonder how it would work.
A lone Christian turns up on a Friday to support the jews. The synagogue stewards welcome him and thank him. Then what, does he sign the visitors book and leave or does he go and take part in the Friday preparation for sabeth worship?
Ditto if a group of Christians turn up.

Christians can visit synagogues, just as orthodox can visit protestant churches and vice versa.

 

[Albion]

It's a nice gesture, but there are a lot more people and groups, etc. that are currently the targets of haters in this country. It's epidemic. So I would hope that anyone who decides to visit the synagogue doesn't get the idea that they have solved a big problem--or have taken on the challenge.

That might sound unnecessarily negative, but we have a way of making little gestures and thinking that we have made a difference...and then it's over and done with.

 

[Sam81]

Waste of time.

Let the dead bury their dead. Go feed hungry people and witness, or go streetpreaching instead.

I'd say the same if it happened at a mosque or at Olsteen's church or any other whitewashed sepulchre.

 

[JackRT]

I think it a great idea, but wonder how it would work.
A lone Christian turns up on a Friday to support the jews. The synagogue stewards welcome him and thank him. Then what, does he sign the visitors book and leave or does he go and take part in the Friday preparation for sabeth worship?
Ditto if a group of Christians turn up.

Christians can visit synagogues, just as orthodox can visit protestant churches and vice versa.

They will even provide you with a yarmulke at the door.

 

[Tigger45]

I think it's a great idea. Showing compassion to our grieving neighbors is Christ like behavior. In fact we had a public event to meet at a local synagogue that following Monday evening after this last shooting announced by the local tv news channel.

 

[com7fy8]

Paul says he became all things to all people. This includes that Paul became a Jew to Jews > 1 Corinthians chapter nine. In the book of Acts, we can see that Christians would go to the Temple and to synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul used this to reach Jews; but also Gentiles were going to synagogue, if I remember and understand right.

 

[Basil the Great]

I think that it is a good idea, but since I would have to travel about 55 miles round trip to get to my nearest synagogue, I will pass.

 

[Phil 1:21]

That might sound unnecessarily negative, but we have a way of making little gestures and thinking that we have made a difference...and then it's over and done with.

That's an excellent point.

 

[Tolworth John]

They will even provide you with a yarmulke at the door.

That's nice to know.
err how does one eat it?

 

[JackRT]

That's nice to know.
err how does one eat it?

You wear it. At least males do. It is the scull cap.

 

[Archivist]

I drove about 1 1/4 hours to Pittsburgh to attend a memorial service for the victims of the shooting. Lots of crying and hugging and many kind words.

 

[Tolworth John]

You wear it. At least males do. It is the scull cap.

Now you have put me off going I thourght it was a cake one ate with the after service tea/coffee!

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

CNN reports that there is a movement to get both Jews and non-Jews to visit their local synagogue this weekend to show solidarity against hate. What do you think? Should Christians feel free to visit their local synagogue or would it be wrong to do such?

Sure, anyone can visit.

 

[Newtheran]

CNN reports that there is a movement to get both Jews and non-Jews to visit their local synagogue this weekend to show solidarity against hate. What do you think? Should Christians feel free to visit their local synagogue or would it be wrong to do such?

I don't think it would be wrong to visit a Synagogue. After all, immediately after the resurrection and ascenscion, that's where we went until we were expelled by those who refused to accept Jesus as messiah.

I probably wouldn't visit a Reformed Synagogue for the same reason I wouldn't visit an Episcopal church, but otherwise sure.

 

[Willie T]

CNN reports that there is a movement to get both Jews and non-Jews to visit their local synagogue this weekend to show solidarity against hate. What do you think? Should Christians feel free to visit their local synagogue or would it be wrong to do such?

Feel free to, certainly. But feel compelled or required to do so? Never.

 

[Archivist]

Feel free to, certainly. But feel compelled or required to do so? Never.

The question in the OP was should Christians “feel free” to visit, not whether they should be compelled or expected to do so.

 

[Willie T]

The question in the OP was should Christians “feel free” to visit, not whether they should be compelled or expected to do so.

Uh..... even the concerns of the OP show that he felt it was something he should do.