In some disturbing news out of Israel, apparently hundreds of New Testaments were torched in Israel’s city of Or-Yehuda. This act was reported to be a response to aMessianic Jewish movement that had been distributing them but these actions also impacts Catholics and other Christians who make pilgrimages to Israel.

This act also brings back the horrible memories of Nazi book burnings that were done to Jewish books during the Nazi reign in Germany. Thankfully many Jewish groups have condemned today’s actions.

Reports indicate that the New Testaments were gathered by by students organized by Uzi Aharon. Mr. Aharon stated that he did not plan on burning the books and that the fire was started by three Israeli teens.

Hopefully this a lesson learned and that even though we disagree with another religion, burning that religion’s literature is not the answer, as it only leads to further problems.

See these sites for more details.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/28/bible.burning/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7413134.stm

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/20/africa/ME-GEN-Israel-New-Testament-Burned.php