Conflict Resolution Among Two Peoples (Take Your Pick)

[jbg]

The purpose of this thread is a scholarly comparison of two methods of resolving sectarian strife and conflict. I have no judgment as to which is better.

Compare the conflict among the rival Jewish sects, the Pharisees and the Saducees (link)(hint, the Pharisees won) (excerpts):

The relationship between the Pharisees and Rabbinic Judaism (exemplified by the Talmud) is so close that many do not distinguish between the two. Nevertheless, the social standing and beliefs of the Pharisees changed over time, as political and social conditions in Judea changed.

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For most of their history, Pharisees defined themselves in opposition to the Sadducees. Conflicts between the Sadducees and the Pharisees took place in the context of much broader conflicts among Jews in the Second Temple era, which followed the Babylonian captivity of Judah. One conflict was class, between the wealthy and the poor. Another conflict was cultural, between those who favored hellenization and those who resisted it. A third was juridico-religious, between those who emphasized the importance of the Temple, and those who emphasized the importance of other Mosaic laws and prophetic values. A fourth, specifically religious, involved different interpretations of the Bible (or Tanakh) or , and how to apply the Torah to Jewish life. These conflicts, practically speaking, define the Second Temple Era, a time when the Temple had tremendous authority but questionable legitimacy, and a time when the sacred literature of the Torah, and Bible or Tanakh were being canonized. Fundamentally, Sadducees and Pharisees took clearly opposing positions concerning the third and fourth conflicts, but at different times were influenced by the other conflicts. In general, whereas the Sadducees were conservative, aristocratic monarchists, the Pharisees were eclectic, popular and more democratic. (Roth 1970: 84) The Pharisaic position is exemplified by the assertion that "A learned mamzer takes precedence over an ignorant High Priest." (A mamzer is an outcast child born of a forbidden relationship, such as adultery or incest; the word is often, but incorrectly, translated as "illegitimate" or "bastard.")

With the early conflict between what became the Shi'ites and what became the Sunnis (link):

The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE) (Persian: هجدهم یا نوزدهم مهر ماه 59 خورشيدی‎) [2] [3] in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side were supporters & relatives of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) grandson Husayn ibn Ali and on the other side were a military detachment from the forces of Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.

The size of Husayn ibn Ali's group was very small, and included many notable members of the Muhammad (PBUH) family. There were only 73 male members, and of which some were either very old or very young. Husayn's group had many women and children as well, including Husayn's own 6-months old son. On the other side were at least 4,000 armed forces of Yazid ibn Muawiya lead by his General Umar ibn Sa'ad.

On 7th Muharram, 61 AH (October 6th, 680 CE), Yazid's forces followed and surrounded the traveling group of Husayn ibn Ali and cut off their access to food and water. For three days in the heat of Iraqi desert, these men, women and children were made to suffer thirst and hunger before they were brutally slaughtered.

Shiite Muslims believe that the Battle of Karbala is significant in Islamic History for courage and great sacrifices displayed by Muhammad's family and friends in order to prevent the true teachings of Islam from being hijacked by the corrupt, brutal and power-hungry regime of Yazid ibn Muawiya.

The battle and martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, his family and supporters are commemorated during an annual 10-day holy period held every year in the Month of Muharram, culminating on the tenth day, Ashurah.

The modern expression of this glorious history is set forth in this link to N.Y. Times' article:

January 29, 2007

250 Are Killed in Major Iraq Battle

By DAMIEN CAVE

BAGHDAD, Jan. 28 — At least 250 militants were killed and an American helicopter was shot down in violent clashes near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday, Iraqi officials said.

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At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Ghalal said the fighters called themselves the Soldiers of Heaven, and seemed to be part of a wider Sunni effort to disrupt Ashura, which marks the seventh-century death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein.

The holiday attracts hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims to Karbala, where Hussein is believed to have been killed, and for days, the roads of southern Iraq have been filled with convoys of pilgrims beating drums and preparing for the day’s rituals, which include self-flagellation. In past years, Ashura has been a magnet for violent attacks from Sunnis, with at least 180 people killed on the holiday three years ago.

I am not expressing any judgments as to which way of resolving sectarian differences is better. I'm just laying out the history. Comments?

[M.Dancer]

The conflict was between the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Messianics.....

The Messianics won, hands down.......

[jbg]

The conflict was between the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Messianics.....

The Messianics won, hands down.......

And without much violence. But among the Jews the Pharisees won.

[M.Dancer]

The conflict was between the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Messianics.....

The Messianics won, hands down.......

And without much violence. But among the Jews the Pharisees won.

The messianics were jews nd there was violence......shit...they nailed their first leader....

[jbg]

The conflict was between the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Messianics.....

The Messianics won, hands down.......

And without much violence. But among the Jews the Pharisees won.

The messianics were jews nd there was violence......shit...they nailed their first leader....

Ow wow!!! Don't know that story.

[M.Dancer]

The conflict was between the Sadducees, Pharisees and the Messianics.....

The Messianics won, hands down.......

And without much violence. But among the Jews the Pharisees won.

The messianics were jews nd there was violence......shit...they nailed their first leader....

Ow wow!!! Don't know that story.

Okay, well the chief persecuter and rabble rouser was this fellow called Saul of tarsus.....a pharisee and jew's jew....