Power, Faith and Fantasy

Front Page Magazine ^ | 4/23/'07 | David Forsmark

[Zionist Conspirator]

Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East
1776 to the Present
By Michael B. Oren
Norton, $35.00, 778pp.

Among the more successful—and illogical—propaganda efforts of the Democrat Party is the widely accepted notion that conservative Christianity is a natural hotbed of anti-Semitism and Political Enemy Number One for American Jews. As someone who grew up in churches that were to the right of Jerry Falwell, I always found this notion to be mysterious at best. The fact is that the more literally an evangelical Christian takes the Bible, the more of a “Zionist” he is likely to be. Theology aside, it’s only natural-- nearly all of best stories he grows up with in Sunday School feature Jewish heroes fighting for their homeland.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard a preacher refer to the modern state of Israel—or its wartime successes—as a “miracle” and a result of divine intervention, I’d be posting this from a lot bigger house in a lot warmer climate. My experience is corroborated by historian Michael Oren’s fascinating new book, Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to the Present, which shows that there is a direct correlation between the political relevance of Evangelical Christians in the United States and strong support by the American government for a State of Israel.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I know a review from Commentary has already been posted, but I thought this take should be read as well.

Support for Israel is also a key element of the media’s new all-purpose pejorative, “neoconservative.” But unless you think “neo” should be used to describe a movement that became prominent in the 1820s, that’s a misnomer. In fact, support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine predates any paleoconservative” isolationist movement in the United States by at least a hundred years.

It is common for current commentary to call George W. Bush’s vision for the Middle East and his willingness to commit American forces “Wilsonian.” However, gaining the context of the previous two centuries of American history and philosophy in the region, one would likely compare Bush more to Theodore Roosevelt’s Americanist zeal than to Wilson’s timid internationalism.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Let the blanking “palaeos” chew on this!

[Vor Lady]

The fact is that the more literally an evangelical Christian takes the Bible, the more of a “Zionist” he is likely to be.

Thanks for posting and Amen!

[Alexander Rubin]

Thanks for posting this.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The fact is that the more literally an evangelical Christian takes the Bible, the more of a “Zionist” he is likely to be.

Thanks for posting and Amen!

Durn tootin'! (And you're welcome!)

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thanks for posting this.

Again, you're welcome. The pleasure was all mine.

[Dumb_Ox]

Woodrow Wilson timid?

[AirForceBrat23]

I know the Catholic church historically has been pretty crappy toward Jews and Israel, but somehow I received a very pro-Israel Catholic education. I went to two different Catholic schools plus Sunday school and the sacramental programs, and whenever the topic arose, it was ALWAYS emphasized that Jews are our spiritual brothers and sisters. I grew up with a strong appreciation for the Jewish foundation for my faith.

[Intolerant in NJ]

In fact, he asserts, the reality of Muslim aggression against Mediterranean trade was a major impetus in both the forming of the United States Navy, and a Constitution with a strong enough central government to build it into a major force...saw Oren in a discussion of his book with Charlie Rose a week or so ago - some really fascinating stuff - by the time we were writing our constitution the muslim Barbary pirates already had something like one hundred colonists in captivity, taken in raids on American shipping in the Mediterranean - no less than Thomas Jefferson went to Europe, thinking he could "negotiate" (sound familiar?) with representatives to gain release of the captives and stop the raids - the man representing the pirates, however, refused to even consider Jefferson's proposals and instead showed him a copy of the Koran, saying that their religion made it a duty for them to oppose "infidels" like those from the new America - Jefferson was supposdly stunned and shaken by the man's attitude - he had never heard of this muslim imperative - Oren's book sounds like a good read.....

[M-cubed]

I grew up with a strong appreciation for the Jewish foundation for my faith.<<

so did I...but the way they vote...is really starting to make me wonder...

[Zionist Conspirator]

Good for you!

[Zionist Conspirator]

I don’t like the way most Jews vote either, but that can’t change the fact that the Torah is from Heaven and Israel was chosen to receive it.