@slominer,
“So how do you feel about and explain and personally reconcile with the fact that a large majority of your fellow Lubavitchers believe this very silly belief?”
Firstly, I didn’t say upwards of 70%, I said between 60% to 70%, but anyway, those numbers don’t mean much. They’re just an estimate based on very hard to define beliefs.
Now, my main issue with believing that the Rebbe is Moshiach isn’t due to my thinking “that it’s silly”. I think it’s intellectually dishonest to base that belief on the Rebbes words or writings, (something I gave sources for quite awhile ago here, but didn’t expound on.) That said, as a hergesh pnimi, a real internal belief that’s personal, and not comprised of chanting slogans and waving ridiculous flags, or wearing silly Yarmulkes, I have no problem with it. I don’t think it’s silly, I think it’s an expression of longing for Moshiach and a fervent hope that it will be the Rebbe, whether that makes sense or not. I’m not going to belittle that belief.
I only take issue with the following:
1. People who feel that it’s their mission to convince the entire world of these said beliefs, which as I said is a small segment of Lubavitch in America (very far from the majority).
2. People who believe that the Rebbe is alive Beguf Gashmi, and mock those who visit his Tziyun in Queens.
As I said, I, based on the Rebbes own words (Likkutei Sichos Chelek 35 Vayigash Sicha 3 page 209, footnote 6, I hope all that is accurate, this is off hand) believe that according to the Rebbe, it’s not logical for him to be Moshiach.