rwndk1 – thank you for sharing your personal experiences with us.
Avi K – your response to rwndk1 seems to have a tinge of hostility in it and unfortunately, in my opinion, some errors as well. I will contend, however, that you are correct that DL has a range of hashkafa and/or lifestyles. However, rwndk1 was talking about the majority of DL Jews.
In my experience with communities such as Efrat, Maaleh Adumim, RBS A, the old city, and a host of Yeshuvim (many Bnei Akivak) rwndk1’s assessment seems to be the rule more than the exception. That’s not to say that Chareidim communities are not suffering these breaches as well. However, as someone already pointed out, in our community they know deep down that they are acting wrong. Those DLs that act that way think their ways are totally acceptable.
You mention “filters” and used Adblock as an example. Although Adblock “filters” Ads, that is not what we are referring to when we speak about “filters”. When we say “filters” we are referring to blocking entire websites, not just ads. Examples are Nativ, Etrog, and Rimon (in Israel). WebChaver, YeshivaNet, and CovenantEyes (in USA). In my personal discussions with DL acquaintances I have yet to meet any that filter (not to say there are no DLs that do). Furthermore, most get hostile with me as if I just insulted their integrity by suggesting to use a filter. BTW – I’m assuming from your words that you do not have a filter in place. That’s a shame. 🙁
To end off, your last words imply that by not following your views concerning secular education, kollel, and allegiance to a secular government that we are “sinning”. First of all, you’ve now answered “Rabbi of Crawley’s” question. We hold you are making a “terrible mistake”. You hold we are “sinning”. How then can we expect to have peace between us with such attitudes as yours? You make it impossible.
Secondly, the Gemorah discusses secular education and basically frowns down upon it (look it up). Furthermore, the Natziv closed down his Yeshivah in order not to have forced secular education. This is a long discussion and here is not the place for it.
Kollel was instituted when the chochomim saw a need for it. The Chofetz Chaim was in favor of it, so too Rav Kook (there’s about 200 kollelites in Mircas HaRav). No one argues about the mitzvah of parnasa. The only argument is when and who.
Medinah – Accepting to include DL leading Rabbanim as among the Gedolim of our generation, still Rov Gedolim are against the Medinah. So even if you have the rights to follow your Gedolim, non-the-less that gives you no rights to refer to the Rov as sinners! Fakirt, “Holchim Achar HaRov”.
The first step towards Shalom is accepting other opinions. I hope that will be accomplished.