Now let’s turn to the other side of the coin.
During a recent lecture before the Jewish Graduate Club at Columbia University I talked about the need for all orthodox religions to relax their dogmas and accept other peoples as equals. One fiercely intent man leaped to his feet and shouted to me, “You want to rob us of our culture because you people don’t have one of your own!” This was sheer nonsense and the host rabbi rose to say so. But I pressed the issue: Could I join their temple? The younger Jews shouted “Yes—we would love to have you.” The older fellows were not quite so sure.
“Are you as Jews chosen of God, thus the only ones who are really blessed?” I asked one of the fundamentalists.
“Yes,” he shot back.
“Are you chosen in a way that I can never be?” I continued.
“Yes.” He faltered. “You are not a Jew; you cannot be among the elect.”
By this time the younger Jews were on their feet screaming denunciations of him. But the issue of ethnic exclusiveness that splits today’s Jewish community had been laid bare.
Dogma and ritual are further evidences of the tribalism endemic to religion. I was born and raised a Baptist; long before I could read and write I knew that any person who had not been immersed in water was doomed to Hell. There was nothing to argue about, no need for polemics and reasoning; there would be no Methodists in Heaven!
The point of truth is this: Ethnic and dogmatic bigotry are imbedded in every religious faith plying its wares in the world market; we religious liberals are students of apologetics, sophisticated believers who prefer to forget our crude and tribalistic roots in favor of an enlightened social ethic. Alas, along came Elijah and made us see ourselves as we once were; along came Malcolm X and made us understand what we are now, and why.