AEI: How did Jews get so smart?

[Yellowdogtexan]

The American Enterprize Institute (AEI) used to be EXXON's favorite forum or group to manufacture global warming denial bogus studies and these are the idiots who came up with the concept of the surge for bush.

It appears that the AEI has some time on its hand and looked at this concept. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/“For two hours yesterday,” the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank writes, “two AEI scholars and a visiting bioethicist kibbitzed about a pressing cause: Why Jews are so doggone smart.” In the panel, AEI’s John Entine and Charles Murray discussed Entine’s new book, Abraham’s Children: Race, Identity and the DNA of the Chosen People:Murray suggested that the rigors of Talmudic study drove out the dull Jews centuries ago. “If you were dumb and a Jew,” said the philo-Semitic Murray, “it was a lot easier to be a Christian.” Murray, best known for his incendiary book about race and intelligence, “The Bell Curve,” explored Jewish smarts in an April article in Commentary titled “Jewish Genius.”

Brought in to rebut the two scholars, Laurie Zoloth of Northwestern University floated an alternative notion: that “Jews are smart because we value learning.” […]

Murray suggested that Jews got smarter by urbanization (”the elevated Jewish IQ was making people money”), flight from Babylon (”they took the smart ones into exile”) and what he called “the ultimate hypothesis” that Jews are really “God’s chosen people.”Milbank adds, “Left unchallenged was the question of whether Jews are indeed smarter than others — even though it would have only required a walk down the hall to the office of new AEI visiting fellow Paul Wolfowitz, whose leadership on the Iraq war and conflicts of interest as head of the World Bank demonstrate that Jews are capable of questionable judgmentWolfie does indeed cast doubt on the claim that Jews are smarter than everyone else.

It is sad that without the EXXON money, the AEI is spending its time on this type of research.

[The Q]

I don't think that the Jews are smarter than anyone else. :para

Organized and effective, yes. I attribute a lot of that to the fact that they've made it a priority to protect their holy writings, their religion, and their customs as close to the original as is humanly possible. Judaism (at least orthodox Judaism) is just about one of the purest religions in modern times--that is, it has had the least amount of influence and change throughout the centuries.

ADQ

[Saguaro]

The American Enterprize Institute (AEI) used to be EXXON's favorite forum or group to manufacture global warming denial bogus studies and these are the idiots who came up with the concept of the surge for bush.

It appears that the AEI has some time on its hand and looked at this concept. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/30/aei-how-did-jews-get-so-smart/Wolfie does indeed cast doubt on the claim that Jews are smarter than everyone else.

It is sad that without the EXXON money, the AEI is spending its time on this type of research.

If they are so much smarter than most people why didn't they leave Germany as soon as Hitler took office ?

[sparks]

If they are so much smarter than most people why didn't they leave Germany as soon as Hitler took office ?

:rofl

So I'd say that little faux pas makes them "human"...kinda like the rest of us. :rofl

[Yellowdogtexan]

Remember that the AEI did a number of global warming denial reports for EXXON. This piece is just as stupid as these global warming denial studies. It is sad that without the EXXON money, the AEI is reduced to this silliness.

[The Q]

Remember that the AEI did a number of global warming denial reports for EXXON. This piece is just as stupid as these global warming denial studies. It is sad that without the EXXON money, the AEI is reduced to this silliness.

I wish someone would do a study on why The Q is so cool. :kickcan

ADQ

[AYFR]

AEI: How did Jews get so smart?
Well they are God's chosen ones

[sparks]

Well they are God's chosen ones

Ya know what though Rev...if the Jews are God's chosen ones...given all they've had to endure in their lives I think I'd rather not be chosen by God...ya know? The Jews have had to endure plight after plight that was poured upon them in the name of being "chosen".

[AYFR]

Ya know what though Rev...if the Jews are God's chosen ones...given all they've had to endure in their lives I think I'd rather not be chosen by God...ya know? The Jews have had to endure plight after plight that was poured upon them in the name of being "chosen".

That was their fault for disobeying God

[sparks]

That was their fault for disobeying God

And they've been paying for generation after generation. Enough already! :rofl

[AYFR]

And they've been paying for generation after generation. Enough already! :rofl

That was the agreement. They are not to my knowledge paying now. They are prospering in the rightfull land and doing very well.

[Saguaro]

You mean other than the suicide bombers ?

[sparks]

That was the agreement. They are not to my knowledge paying now. They are prospering in the rightfull land and doing very well.

That's debatable. I don't really think the Jews have a home. Some see Israel as stolen land from the Palestinians.

[AYFR]

You mean other than the suicide bombers ?
Other than that yes, the turned a desert into a paradise. God does not control mans actions and he will defend the Jews so long as the obey him, that doesn't mean they will not be hard times.
That's debatable. I don't really think the Jews have a home. Some see Israel as stolen land from the Palestinians.

Those people are wrong, sorry but the Jews were there first it is their land, given to them by God. They return to it was prophecied even.

[sparks]

Other than that yes, the turned a desert into a paradise. God does not control mans actions and he will defend the Jews so long as the obey him, that doesn't mean they will not be hard times.


Those people are wrong, sorry but the Jews were there first it is their land, given to them by God. They return to it was prophecied even.

That kind of defense I could do without! I want another attorney thank you very much! :rofl

[Kurtz]

This started out as a good thread.
:kickcan

[Yellowdogtexan]

Well they are God's chosen onesHere is an oldie but goodie as far as satire goes. http://www.satirewire.com/news/march02/chosen.shtmlGOD NAMES NEXT "CHOSEN PEOPLE"; IT'S JEWS AGAIN
"Oh Shit," Say Jews

Jerusalem (SatireWire.com) Update — Jews, whose troubled, 10,000-year term as God's "chosen people" finally expired last night, woke up this morning to find that they had once again been hand-picked by the Almighty. Synagogues across the globe declared a day of mourning.

Asked if the descendants of Abraham shouldn't be pleased about being tapped for an unprecedented second term, Jerusalem Rabbi Ben Meyerson shrugged. "Of course, you are right, we should be thrilled," he said. "We should also enjoy a good swift kick in the head, but for some reason, we don't.

"Now don't ask such questions until you watch the news, or read history, or at least rent 'Fiddler on the Roof'."

Much of the world's re-blessed Jewish community shared that feeling. "It's always been considered a joke with us. You know, 'Please G-d, next time choose someone else,' ha ha," said New York City resident David Bashert.

"Ha. Ha ha," Bashert added. "Shit."

According to a worldwide survey of faiths, not a single group expressed an interest in being chosen, and the only application submitted before last night's filing deadline, on behalf of the Islamic people, proved to be a fake.

"Somebody filled out a form and signed our name to it, but I guarantee it wasn't us," said Imam Yusuf Al Muhammed of Medina, Saudi Arabia. "I'm not going to say who it was, but the application was filled out in Hebrew."

"Oh, don't be such a k'vatsh," responded Meyerson. "It's only 10,000 years. Trust me, after a few diaspora, you would have gotten used to the universal hatred thing."

Due to the absence of voluntary candidates, God's Law stipulated that the Almighty had to choose a people at random to serve out the next 10-millenia term. Elias Contreau, director of the International Interfaith Working Group, said he wasn't surprised it came to a blind drawing.

"According to the Bible, God promised to bless Abraham and those who came after him," said Contreau. "Who knows, maybe that sounded good at the time, or maybe 'blessed' meant something different back then, like 'Short periods of prosperity interrupted by insufferable friggin' chaos.' Whatever, I think it's safe to say that people didn't know what they were agreeing to."

Now they do, Contreau added, which he said explains why so many religions had lately been exalting God's existence, but downplaying their own.

"We were not avoiding Him. We just told our parishioners that if Anyone asks, we're out," insisted Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. George Carey, who had called off services during February. "Besides, we weren't the only ones. I didn't see the Hindus raising their hands."

"Now look, it's like we told the ethereal vision who dropped off the application, 'Sure, we have a strong shared faith and all that, but I wouldn't exactly say we're a 'people,' not really,'" recalled Hindu leader Samuldrala Swami Maharaj of Calcutta. "Plus, you know, I told him we had a lot of other commitments. We'd like to help, honestly. Another time, maybe."

In Jerusalem, Jewish leaders said they will propose an amendment to God's Law prohibiting a people from having to serve more than two consecutive terms. "Hopefully, G-d will hear our prayer," said Meyerson. "No, wait, that's what got us into this."

Americans, meanwhile, expressed outrage at the decision, saying they had assumed they were God's chosen people. However, explained Archbishop Carey, "It only seems that way because so many people don't like you."

[issac the dragon]

That was a good post. And I think one of the reasons Jews are, or seem to be smarter is because they so value education. There used to be a saying, "A Jewish dropout is one who only has a BA.

[sparks]

GOD NAMES NEXT "CHOSEN PEOPLE"; IT'S JEWS AGAIN
"Oh Shit," Say Jews

Jerusalem (SatireWire.com) Update — Jews, whose troubled, 10,000-year term as God's "chosen people" finally expired last night, woke up this morning to find that they had once again been hand-picked by the Almighty. Synagogues across the globe declared a day of mourning.

Asked if the descendants of Abraham shouldn't be pleased about being tapped for an unprecedented second term, Jerusalem Rabbi Ben Meyerson shrugged. "Of course, you are right, we should be thrilled," he said. "We should also enjoy a good swift kick in the head, but for some reason, we don't.

"Now don't ask such questions until you watch the news, or read history, or at least rent 'Fiddler on the Roof'."

Much of the world's re-blessed Jewish community shared that feeling. "It's always been considered a joke with us. You know, 'Please G-d, next time choose someone else,' ha ha," said New York City resident David Bashert.

"Ha. Ha ha," Bashert added. "Shit."

According to a worldwide survey of faiths, not a single group expressed an interest in being chosen, and the only application submitted before last night's filing deadline, on behalf of the Islamic people, proved to be a fake.

"Somebody filled out a form and signed our name to it, but I guarantee it wasn't us," said Imam Yusuf Al Muhammed of Medina, Saudi Arabia. "I'm not going to say who it was, but the application was filled out in Hebrew."

"Oh, don't be such a k'vatsh," responded Meyerson. "It's only 10,000 years. Trust me, after a few diaspora, you would have gotten used to the universal hatred thing."

Due to the absence of voluntary candidates, God's Law stipulated that the Almighty had to choose a people at random to serve out the next 10-millenia term. Elias Contreau, director of the International Interfaith Working Group, said he wasn't surprised it came to a blind drawing.

"According to the Bible, God promised to bless Abraham and those who came after him," said Contreau. "Who knows, maybe that sounded good at the time, or maybe 'blessed' meant something different back then, like 'Short periods of prosperity interrupted by insufferable friggin' chaos.' Whatever, I think it's safe to say that people didn't know what they were agreeing to."

Now they do, Contreau added, which he said explains why so many religions had lately been exalting God's existence, but downplaying their own.

"We were not avoiding Him. We just told our parishioners that if Anyone asks, we're out," insisted Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. George Carey, who had called off services during February. "Besides, we weren't the only ones. I didn't see the Hindus raising their hands."

"Now look, it's like we told the ethereal vision who dropped off the application, 'Sure, we have a strong shared faith and all that, but I wouldn't exactly say we're a 'people,' not really,'" recalled Hindu leader Samuldrala Swami Maharaj of Calcutta. "Plus, you know, I told him we had a lot of other commitments. We'd like to help, honestly. Another time, maybe."

In Jerusalem, Jewish leaders said they will propose an amendment to God's Law prohibiting a people from having to serve more than two consecutive terms. "Hopefully, G-d will hear our prayer," said Meyerson. "No, wait, that's what got us into this."

Americans, meanwhile, expressed outrage at the decision, saying they had assumed they were God's chosen people. However, explained Archbishop Carey, "It only seems that way because so many people don't like you."

:rofl

[Kurtz]

Great thread!! :lmao

It's like Life, ups 'n downs! :lol

Thanks, YD! :headbang


:kurtz

[The Q]

Those people are wrong, sorry but the Jews were there first it is their land, given to them by God. They return to it was prophecied even.

The human race will continue to flounder until people learn that RELIGION IS A RED HERRING--and it's being used to use idiots who think God actually writes books. :roll

ADQ

[AYFR]

The human race will continue to flounder until people learn that RELIGION IS A RED HERRING--and it's being used to use idiots who think God actually writes books. :roll

ADQ

God did not write the Bible but inspired the people that did write it.

As for the prophecy I can point exactly to it if you want.

Also religion (faith and hope in something greater then ourselves) is what makes humans strong.

[The Q]

Prophecy means nothing if the books it is written in are unreliable.

I know, I know Rev. I was a Christian missionary. I know more about the bible than most Christians. I don't need anyone telling me where these "prophecies" are located.

But I'll tell you something--and I am holding ALL religions to this standard--that the proof is in the pudding.

I don't need a fucking book to tell me whether or not any group is doing the right thing. So far, every religion, and every country on earth have proved NOTHING about the superiority of their interpretation of God's Will.

When and if the TRUTH arrives--it will be obvious. And from where I'm sitting--God has no place or people to call his own on this planet.


ADQ

[AYFR]

Well I will agree what as a whole religions have not lived up to the standards written in their books.

The only way to ever know who is right or wrong is at the end.

To me God calls everyone his own just not everyone listens or answers.

[Trueblue]

The Jews were chosen by God to bring a message, not chosen as God's pets.***

***My understanding of this

[AYFR]

No one called them his pets.

They are his chosen people and as such must obey his law.

[The Q]

Well I will agree what as a whole religions have not lived up to the standards written in their books.

The only way to ever know who is right or wrong is at the end.

To me God calls everyone his own just not everyone listens or answers.

Yes. This is the conclusion I have come to, also. It's the only way I can make sense of the insanity. :no

ADQ

[AYFR]

Yes. This is the conclusion I have come to, also. It's the only way I can make sense of the insanity. :no

ADQ

Good we agree on something then.

[The Q]

I think we agree on a few things, Rev. :wink

ADQ

[Trueblue]

No one called them his pets.

They are his chosen people and as such must obey his law.

Well why don't I just stop saying anything? :lol That is my characterization.

Other than that yes, the turned a desert into a paradise. God does not control mans actions and he will defend the Jews so long as the obey him, that doesn't mean they will not be hard times.


Those people are wrong, sorry but the Jews were there first it is their land, given to them by God. They return to it was prophecied even.

And in that prophecy, God meant right after WWII, and not some other time.

Here is an oldie but goodie as far as satire goes. http://www.satirewire.com/news/march02/chosen.shtml

:rofl

[AYFR]

Well why don't I just stop saying anything? :lol That is my characterization.

Sorry again I have a fever and not up to par today

And in that prophecy, God meant right after WWII, and not some other time.



:rofl

Prophecys fit into specific places and once completed are easily (or should be) known. God meant when he meant and if that was after WWII then that is his choice. And what is wrong with him chosing that time?

http://www.100prophecies.org/page3.htm
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/isaiah_43_5.htm
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/accuracy.htm

But please do and try and prove them wrong.

[Trueblue]

Prophecys fit into specific places and once completed are easily (or should be) known. God meant when he meant and if that was after WWII then that is his choice. And what is wrong with him chosing that time?

http://www.100prophecies.org/page3.htm
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/isaiah_43_5.htm
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/accuracy.htm

But please do and try and prove them wrong.

People who look at prophecy always assume that it applies to the world right now. From what I've learned, it is usually a commentary on current events-and sometimes the prophecy was even added in later, after the event happened.

But at any rate-I disagree that God WANTED one group of his children thrown off land so that another group could have it.

[AYFR]

Can't prove it wrong can you?

God's will is not mans will and his reason for doing what he does is his own. He gave that land to the Jews to begin with so it was rightfully theirs anyway.

[Trueblue]

Can't prove it wrong can you?

God's will is not mans will and his reason for doing what he does is his own. He gave that land to the Jews to begin with so it was rightfully theirs anyway.

No, I can't prove it wrong, and you can't prove it right. I'm only going by what I learned in Bible Study, and my own understanding.

It is inconsistent with my understanding of God to believe that God throws some of God's children off of a piece of land to give it to some of God's other children.

What bothers me most about this kind of viewpoint is that it makes God out to be some master trickster-playing games with humanity for God's amusement. Here, say these words, be born in this place, and you get this-don't, and you get nothing. Figure out this prophecy, because as God, I can't figure out how to tell you what I am going to do in plain words, I have to disguise it.

The message of the Bible is loud and clear, and it's not about cosmic games, it's about how to live.

[AYFR]

It is about how to live and God isn't "fair" he is Just. He also doesn't break his word and his word was that the land belonged to the Jews even when they were not in it it still was theirs.

God is not a trickster but he does have rules that the expect to be followed and if not then there are consequences. That is what love is. You punish your kids when they do wrong and praise them when they do right.

It was in plain words, he plainly told them follow me and be blessed disobey and be punished.

God is not fair, nor is he tolerant. He is a righteous, just God.

[Saguaro]

To each their own interpretation
I don't want to have a God that doesn't take into consideration the folly of man

[AYFR]

That is where forgivness comes into play through Jesus

[Saguaro]

It is about how to live and God isn't "fair" he is Just. He also doesn't break his word and his word was that the land belonged to the Jews even when they were not in it it still was theirs.

God is not a trickster but he does have rules that the expect to be followed and if not then there are consequences. That is what love is. You punish your kids when they do wrong and praise them when they do right.

It was in plain words, he plainly told them follow me and be blessed disobey and be punished.

God is not fair, nor is he tolerant. He is a righteous, just God.

You need to be more consistent

[Saguaro]

You can have your God Rev, I want no part of that

[AYFR]

You need to be more consistent
How am I inconsistent?

[AYFR]

You can have your God Rev, I want no part of that

"My" God is the one that the Bible describes.

He is a righteous, just God. He is the God of love.
:rev

[sparks]

How am I inconsistent?

In one breath you say God is just...in another you say he is not fair. Which way is it?

[Kurtz]

Address THIS:

If we cannot grasp God's reasoning, if we cannot see the end toward which his actions are leading, then how do we know that that end is a good one and not an evil one? In such a scenario, we might hope that God is good, or wish that he is good, but to say that he actually is good requires knowledge which these believers have already claimed that no person has. Making the determination that someone is good requires at least some understanding of a person's reasons, some comprehension of why a person does what they do. By their own argument, they have no such understanding.

God's Goodness (http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/10/on-gods-goodness.html)

[The Q]

In one breath you say God is just...in another you say he is not fair. Which way is it?

It is both. And neither.

God is not a person--so using these clumsy concepts to describe Them is absolutely ridiculous. Not that it ever stopped anyone.


:zen

ADQ

[Trueblue]

It is about how to live and God isn't "fair" he is Just. He also doesn't break his word and his word was that the land belonged to the Jews even when they were not in it it still was theirs.

God is not a trickster but he does have rules that the expect to be followed and if not then there are consequences. That is what love is. You punish your kids when they do wrong and praise them when they do right.

It was in plain words, he plainly told them follow me and be blessed disobey and be punished.

God is not fair, nor is he tolerant. He is a righteous, just God.

Fair is another word for just!!!!!! And God is pretty tolerant, too, after all, God made us.

I have seen nothing that proves that God intended for the UN to come in and throw the Palestinians out and give the land to the Jews. Show me a year listed in those prophecies.

I don't see God as a trickster, but many folks do.

The idea that the most important thing in the Bible is reading the words of the prophets and trying to make them fit modern times makes no sense to me. I see people all wrapped up in that, and ignoring the message of Jesus.

To each their own interpretation
I don't want to have a God that doesn't take into consideration the folly of man

Yes!

"My" God is the one that the Bible describes.

He is a righteous, just God. He is the God of love.
:rev

I don't know what to say.

It is both. And neither.

God is not a person--so using these clumsy concepts to describe Them is absolutely ridiculous. Not that it ever stopped anyone.


:zen

ADQ

:theman

[AYFR]

In one breath you say God is just...in another you say he is not fair. Which way is it?

Fair is another word for just!!!!!! And God is pretty tolerant, too, after all, God made us.

I have seen nothing that proves that God intended for the UN to come in and throw the Palestinians out and give the land to the Jews. Show me a year listed in those prophecies.

I don't see God as a trickster, but many folks do.

The idea that the most important thing in the Bible is reading the words of the prophets and trying to make them fit modern times makes no sense to me. I see people all wrapped up in that, and ignoring the message of Jesus.



Yes!



I don't know what to say.



:theman

Just and fair are not the same things.

http://royhalliday.home.mindspring.com/c9.htm

[Trueblue]

Just and fair are not the same things.

http://royhalliday.home.mindspring.com/c9.htm

Sez you, and whoever wrote that. Besides, who told you that God isn't fair?

Just and fair are synonyms, and you know perfectly well what people mean when they are using them.

[AYFR]

Just and fair are not the same.

If God were fair we would all look the same, have the same gifts and talents (some get more gifts then others) he would spread his riches evenly and everyone would go to heaven and none to hell. Sorry that is not the way things are.

[Trueblue]

Just and fair are not the same.

If God were fair we would all look the same, have the same gifts and talents (some get more gifts then others) he would spread his riches evenly and everyone would go to heaven and none to hell. Sorry that is not the way things are.

Actually, what you describe isn't fairness. It takes differences to make the world work, IMO, and I guess God thinks so, too. :D

Fair means that people get what they need, and that does mean the same as justice.

And you are JUST picking at words, anyway.

All people tell themselves that they are "the" people, that they are chosen, that they have a God given right to....fill-in-the-blank. What you are calling the message of God is more like the message of the ancient Jews to themselves.

I do not believe that the Bible is literally true, and I do not believe it is consistent with a God of love to kick people off of their land. God loves the Palestinian people, too.

Bible literalists, IMO, focus on the unimportant parts of the Bible, and often ignore the important parts.

[The Q]

Bible literalists, IMO, focus on the unimportant parts of the Bible, and often ignore the important parts.

Preach it, sister.

ADQ

[AYFR]

Actually, what you describe isn't fairness. It takes differences to make the world work, IMO, and I guess God thinks so, too. :D

Fair means that people get what they need, and that does mean the same as justice.

And you are JUST picking at words, anyway.

All people tell themselves that they are "the" people, that they are chosen, that they have a God given right to....fill-in-the-blank. What you are calling the message of God is more like the message of the ancient Jews to themselves.

I do not believe that the Bible is literally true, and I do not believe it is consistent with a God of love to kick people off of their land. God loves the Palestinian people, too.

Bible literalists, IMO, focus on the unimportant parts of the Bible, and often ignore the important parts.

You're wrong but it is futile to continue this, we have danced this dance before.

[Trueblue]

You're wrong but it is futile to continue this, we have danced this dance before.

I'm wrong? About what? The meaning of words? The literal truth of the Bible? That God loves the Palestinians?

[AYFR]

God love us all. You are wrong about knowing if prophecy is true or not. A lot of the Bible is literal and the Jews are God's Chosen.

[Trueblue]

God love us all. You are wrong about knowing if prophecy is true or not. A lot of the Bible is literal and the Jews are God's Chosen.

I respect your right to believe that, just as I respect the right of agnostics to doubt the existence of God.

I am no Bible scholar, but I have participated in several Bible classes at this point, been reading the Bible since I was a small girl, and have thought a lot about these issues.

I find that Marcus Borg expresses it well-it's possible to take the Bible seriously without taking it literally.