Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 4/28/2004

Question
Hi George,


Is the state of Israel considered a theocracy.  If not why.  

Why does not the Vatican City get billions of dollars in aid as Israel does from the United States?

Also, what makes one an Israeli, since most Jews that are there are secularist or atheists now?

AND, the Catholics and the Palestinians that have been forced out, are they not considered Isareli citizens?

What is the goal of this state or country anyway?


Thank you,



Paul  

Answer
                   Shalom


Dear Paul,

 Interesting questions,in that seem related to some of my personal favorite areas of study, so to speak.

 1.The modern state of Isreal is not a theocracy, despite the effort of some extremist within various Zionist movements. There to types of true modern theocracies as I understand them. One is when the State is headed by a cleric and other religious leaders. As in some Islamic control countries. The other type is when a ruler is reconized also the head of the majority religion
of a society. Such the type the heretic Henry VIII established in England,when he formed the Anglican Church.

 2. Why does the Vatican City get money from the US Govenment like the state of Israel? First, it doesnt need it. It has 1.6 billion that that tithe directly or indirectly to its secular as well as its spiritaul causes. Second,It also has other sources of income.

 3. I am American because I was born in the USA. My friend Soni is from South Vietnam, he came an American by USA's nationalization laws. To be an Israeli citizen: be born there or become one by their nationalization Laws. "Racial" speak most Palestatians and Israelis are both the same.



                        your servant, but His First
                                george (rav Jerome 72)