What gets me is not that people think that Charedim are absolutely wrong in believing that they should not serve in the army. I understand that. People are raised and educated to think a certain way so that is what they think. Or maybe they thoroughly studied Torah sources and concluded that everyone must serve. Makes sense.
What gets me is that people negate the right of Charedim to have opinions and beliefs. No, they say [and write on social media], since you are clearly wrong you have to think like us. The tone is often paternalistic as if Charedim are like a bunch of 2 years who need to be told in no uncertain terms how to behave and there are no two ways about it. We are adults and know better. So behave yourselves naughty boys!!
It turns out that they are a community filled with very mature and knowledgeable adults who have beliefs. Right or wrong - this is a Jewish and [להבדיל!!!] Democratic state as a Jewish state people should be permitted to practice their Judaism and as a Democratic state people should not be conscripted against their will with the tyranny of government and with threats of incarceration.
Remember - the if the Charedim had it their way then everybody in this country would keep Shabbos, kosher and daven three times a day etc. etc. But they don't enforce it and would not even if they could.
In The Friends of Voltaire, Evelyn Hall famously wrote: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". So we can disapprove of what Charedim do but defend their right to live according to their religious conscience.
It is ALSO important never to conflate what *I* believe and absolute truth. Had you been brought up in a different family, a different environment, attended different schools etc. the odds of you thinking as you think now are about zero.
Many people make this mistake.
