VERSION|0.5.1|NAME|Dinah|DATE|1378886423|CONTENT|Despite the interminable breast-beating, admissions of guilt and shortcomings, apologising to all and sundry, the blowing of a ram’s horn (did anyone ever ask the ram’s permission?) do Jewish people end up by being any better than the rest of us?  By and large, I would suggest no.  There are undoubtedly a few very good and virtuous Jewish people, just as there are a few such Christians, Muslims, Hindus, etc. etc., but does their religion really have that much to do with it?  Whether we are believers or non-believers, most of us know through example, teaching, human wisdom, an innate sense of fairness and awareness of the ‘golden rule’ (which probably pre-dates monotheism) what constitutes good behaviour, kindness, tolerance, etc.  Whether we are actually good people as a result is more to do with our genes, personalities and life experiences than whether or not we believe there is a big daddy in the sky watching over us.  Far from always being benign, religious influences can over-ride good impulses by putting dogma before common sense and compassion, and fear of the ‘other’ before tolerance and a live-and-let-live philosophy.|IP-ADDRESS|79.71.122.200|MODERATIONFLAG|