There is no stranger support for Israel among Americans than fundamentalist Christians who hope to see Armageddon occur, triggered in the Middle East. They hope that Israel and Iran will get things going soon and the result will be the second coming of Christ and "the Rapture" of Judgment Day when the quick are separated from the dead, they being among the saved and, as such, able to witness the tortures and destruction of the damned.
It's not a pretty picture and not the kind of thing that I think should stimulate people to write to their Congressman urging support of Israel. It is the exact opposite of rationality and a throw-back to the worst days of religious thought.
Nevertheless, these folks are active and vocal and represented by John Hagee of CUFI - Christians United for Israel. You really should listen to Hagee speak as it is with the kind of pomposity and certainty that could easily lead uninformed people to anything.
Who better to debunk him than Jews, who are in a position to negate his many authoritative statements about them. Ed Anser narrates a video doing just this.
For a very thorough look at CUFI, including an analysis of how it presents support for Israel in euphemisms, Jews on First (because if Jews don't speak out...they'll think we don't mind) has a complete report on the latest annual CUFI convention.
Showing posts with label John Hagee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Hagee. Show all posts
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
and what of Christians?
I was raised in a Christian family. It didn't take. I'm an atheist who sees no reason why human beings cannot have a system of morality based on the simple fact that you can feel pain, I can feel pain and we should both minimize, if not eliminate, any pain experienced by others as we would want them to do the same with us.
So, I don't look upon Christianity as superior to any other religion. In fact, I am disappointed when I see those calling themselves Christian acting in a way counter to anything I ever learned about the teachings of Jesus. To my mind, the best Christian is the one concerned with practicing his/her beliefs rather than boasting to others of his/her Christianity and pointing out the many sins of others.
The ultimate in Christian hypocrisy were the "Christian" militias in the Lebanese civil war. In America, a good example of being far from Christianity though professing it, are those elated at the thought of Judgement Day, primarily because they believe they will see those with whom they do not agree punished. A good example of this is John Hagee.
Hagee is known for his fierce defense of Israel. In the settlement of Ariel there is a John Hagee Center, built with some of the money he has raised and sent to Israel. There is little evidence that he gives a hoot about the Jews or knows much about them as this video documents. I doubt he knows a thing about the Palestinians that his money helps oppress.
On the bright side, there are some Christians who are behaving exactly as I would expect of those who practice what Jesus taught. Take a look at CPT - Christian Peacemaker Teams They have a great motto - "Getting in the way" wearing red hats as they stand their ground non-violently against force employed by the IDF against peaceful protesters. You will see two of them appear in this video at about 5:30 in, as they protest the restriction of Shuhada Street in Hebron to Jews only.
So, I don't look upon Christianity as superior to any other religion. In fact, I am disappointed when I see those calling themselves Christian acting in a way counter to anything I ever learned about the teachings of Jesus. To my mind, the best Christian is the one concerned with practicing his/her beliefs rather than boasting to others of his/her Christianity and pointing out the many sins of others.
The ultimate in Christian hypocrisy were the "Christian" militias in the Lebanese civil war. In America, a good example of being far from Christianity though professing it, are those elated at the thought of Judgement Day, primarily because they believe they will see those with whom they do not agree punished. A good example of this is John Hagee.
Hagee is known for his fierce defense of Israel. In the settlement of Ariel there is a John Hagee Center, built with some of the money he has raised and sent to Israel. There is little evidence that he gives a hoot about the Jews or knows much about them as this video documents. I doubt he knows a thing about the Palestinians that his money helps oppress.
On the bright side, there are some Christians who are behaving exactly as I would expect of those who practice what Jesus taught. Take a look at CPT - Christian Peacemaker Teams They have a great motto - "Getting in the way" wearing red hats as they stand their ground non-violently against force employed by the IDF against peaceful protesters. You will see two of them appear in this video at about 5:30 in, as they protest the restriction of Shuhada Street in Hebron to Jews only.
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