Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Sports and Religion
The eighth night of Hanukkah — tonight and 84 years ago

The eighth night of Hanukkah — tonight and 84 years ago

Last updated on: December 13, 2015 at 10:59 pm by Jim Meisner Jr.

The eighth night of Hanukkah — tonight and 84 years ago 2015-12-13T22:59:22-05:00 Jim Meisner Jr.

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The eighth night of Hanukkah, 84 years ago:

Inscribed on the back of the photo: “Chanukah, 5692. ‘Judea dies’, thus says the banner. ‘Judea will live forever’, thus respond the lights.”

84 years ago, hate, vitriol and racist lies were reaching a fever pitch, sweeping across the land of my ancestors. (http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/menorah-defies-nazi-flag/)

We in the United States face unabashed fascism and shameless hate today.

“. . . granting 10,000 Syrian refugees asylum on our shores is not fascism. But barring them, or blocking any and all Muslim persons from entering the U.S. simply because of their religion and because one person—one single person of that religion—was once able to slip through our visa vetting process and launch an attack that generated only a fraction of the casualties that Americans inflict upon themselves each and every weekend, while granting greater voice to those who argue that “America is at war with Islam” and justify increasing anti-Muslim hate speech and violence … pretty much is.” (Fascism: It’s what all the cool kids are doing these days)

After seven years of the Tea Party and a Republican Party unwilling to work with the nation’s first black president, hate, vitriol and racist lies have reached a fever pitch. Just look at the headlines from the past few weeks.

Authorities detain person of interest in mosque fire

Donald Trump Isn’t The Only One Calling For Restrictions On Muslims

Donald Trump on terrorists: ‘Take out their families’

Donald Trump Repeats Call to Inspect Mosques for Signs of Terrorism

Donald Trump Defends Disabled Reporter Impression: “I Do Not …

The Most Fascinating Thing About Donald Trump’s Racist Tweet

How anti-immigrant attitudes are fueling support for Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s Politics of Fear

Donald Trump embraces open racism.

White Nationalists Among Donald Trump’s Most Enthusiastic …

States expanded gun rights after school massacre

Muslims Terrorized When Cafe Gets Bombed

On this final night of Hanukkah, the celebration of an eight-night miracle so long ago, let us remember in less than a lifetime, less than a heartbeat, pent up bigotry and hate can be unleashed and focused with deadly consequences.

Let us not fool ourselves into believing that it can’t happen again or that it can’t happen here. For people today who are victimized, it is happening here, today. And yet again, just like 84 years ago, otherwise goodhearted people close their eyes to the possibility, or worse yet, believe that there’s a place for bigotry and hate in our modern country.

We must stand up for victims today, but we also must stand up in honor of the victims of the past, those who waited in vain for someone to stand up for them.

Previous Post

December 13, 2015

YOU can help refugees

Next Post

December 18, 2015 You are beautiful

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Celtic spirituality Christmas Civil Rights culture Easter Faith images in the news Prayer Quote Scripture Uncategorized vocational ministry Writing

Select a Month August 2026 July 2026 May 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What sign did God give Hezekiah to show he would be healed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fire from heaven A river turned to blood Rain in drought The sun's shadow went backward