Johnny Walker and Chandra Levy: Make it a Double

Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Rabbi Lapin writes how parents with no defined moral values leave their children defenseless in a hostile world.

Seattle, WA, December 7, 2001

Rabbi Daniel Lapin, president of Toward Tradition, commented today on the case of John Walker Lindh, the 20-year-old American who converted to Islam and is presumed to have fought alongside the Taliban. Rabbi Lapin pointed to an overlooked angle on the story: the parallel with Chandra Levy, who disappeared amid questions about her relationship with Rep. Gary Condit.

Rabbi Lapin said: "This pair of young Americans made tragic choices. And not coincidentally they came from homes in which they received from their parents the same unfortunate message. Chandra's father is sort of Jewish while her mother is sort of a Buddhist. Johnny's mother is also sort of a Buddhist while his father is sort of Catholic.

For the complete article go to the Toward Tradition website.