An eye-opening memoir on the struggle between religion and domocracy in Israel. Israel claims to be a modern democratic state; but Israeli writer Ofra Yeshua-Lyth reveals some startling truths about modern day Israel: how although up to 70% of Israelis do not follow the Jewish religion; all citizens are subject to laws designed to favor religious Israelis over all others. In matters of birth and death; marriage and divorce; finance and the military; Israels rabbis exercise iron control over their government. Yeshua-Lyth sees the seeds of Israels demise in the growing tension between Israelis who want to lead modern secular lives; and those who wish Israel to continue in the iron grip of the rabbis. The authors arguments are woven through the story of her childhood and later life in Israel; illustrating the conflicts between modern democracy and an outdated theocracy in everyday life.
#390591 in Books 1992-03-01 1992-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 228.60 x 10.44 x 6.00l; .67 #File Name: 1563380390192 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Must read!By hamrWhew! Not for the entrenched "Christian" - will knock off any religious socks that you have left. Spirit inspired and worth the read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An eye-openerBy Rev. David PriceDoctor Pagels has given us an exciting opportunity to look into the dynamic culture of the early Christian church. Up until the last 30 years; we saw everything as being historically seamless. Her work on Paul and other explorations of early Gnostic writings as found in the Nag Hammadi library have opened the windows. We begin to see how the dominant Roman centered Christian church powered by bishops suppressed the inclusive; philosophical; learned Christian expression of a pluralistic branch of the Christian church in favor of a literalist understanding of scripture and male dominance. This more democratic group of Christians were labeled heretics and Gnostic because they saw Christian expression and the Christian story as part of the greater metaphorical tradition of heroic spirituality. I commend this book to any reader who is on an inquisitive journey and willing to take a critical look at early Christian beginnings and Paul's Gnostic vision.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not bad but the truth is that there was nothing "gnostic" ...By novoneiroNot bad but the truth is that there was nothing "gnostic" about Paul. The author pretty much admits as much . . . eventually.
