Reconstructionist founder Mordecai Kaplan, who offered the first loving, internal critique of chosenness,
rejected such popular nuances as "chosen to serve." Plainly, our tradition is problematic. Consider, for
instance, the havdalah blessing, which links Jews to holiness, light, and Shabbat -- while associating "the
nations" with the ordinary, weekdays, and darkness. Here's why we should not consider ourselves Am
Nivchar, the Chosen People:
Religious naturalists who see God more as a Process or Force than an interventionist Being, say
that choosing isn't in God's nature. If God could choose, would S/He?
The stories of Jacob and Joseph teach us not to privilege one child over others -- should not the
Parent of Parents follow this advice?!
Even if God had chosen us, it's both good practice and common sense to avoid touting the fact!
Feminist theologian Judith Plaskow adds that the danger of external hierarchies like Jews-overothers
implicitly justifies internal hierarchies like men-over-women.
We condemned narrow Christian thought that replaced Israel with the Church, then celebrated
when the Vatican changed that. We fear extremist tendencies within any faith (not just Islam), when
one subset of humanity claims a "better" relationship with God. We of all people can, and should,
model a more inclusive way.