Man, I swore I wasn't gonna get involved in this conversation anymore, mostly because it has veered off the point and actually now has no point.
Religion is an intensely personal thing. A conversation like this ought to be more geared to gaining insight and knowledge, not point-counterpoint. It is interesting to delve into other beliefs. None of you are going to change your minds about what you believe, other than to perhaps re-solidify those beliefs. (That might be the only redeeming feature I can see regarding the 4 pages so far.) That is patently obvious.
We've all gained a bit over the months, and I think most of us have established a bit of friendship; albiet an odd one because of the medium. Why don't ya'll start acting a bit more like (at least) aquaintances and let the offhanded snideness take a rest for awhile.
I have observed that all of you seem to be quite bright. I don't hold a candle to many of you in that regard. But, I'd rather be taught than lectured. Make me curious, don't insult my good temper and lose my interest by engaging in a slugfest rather than a pleasant discussion that reveals things that perhaps are not well understood.
Back on topic: The world is rife with the slaughter of one group by another for many reasons. For some reason, (I have an idea why) what happened at the hand of Hitler and his minions serves as a benchmark for brutality and murder. They elevated it to an industry!! They built factories and transportation systems, had bookkeeping, organized the collection of wealth down to gold teeth, slave labor, obscene medicine; all of it in their horror filled time. It was organized tightly and it was a business!! That is not to diminish the brutality and horror of other regimes. Pehaps the Communists came close with their Gulags. The Jews were part of that as well. The rest was indiscriminate, if not organized, slaughter; but not quite as intense, and organized.
The Jews have been the focus of history since the time of Abraham. Perhaps there is a reason. I'll leave it to you to ponder that.