Christian-Right Zionism

New York Times ^

[RCW2001]

Christian-Right Zionism

By GERSHOM GORENBERG

he watershed moment came last spring. On May 2, a half-page ad in The New York Times presented a pro-Israel opinion article by Ralph Reed Jr., onetime organizational wizard of Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition -- paid for by the Anti-Defamation League. The juxtaposition was breathtaking. Back in 1994, a blistering report by the ADL, a Jewish watchdog group, criticized Reed as the brains behind the Christian Coalition's stealth tactics. Now the ADL logo appeared below Reed's name like the rabbinic seal of approval on kosher food.

Israel has intoxicated Christian fundamentalists since the day it was established. In their eyes, the Jewish state provides real-world proof that their reading of Biblical prophecies is correct -- and that the world is racing toward the Second Coming. Israeli rightists have encouraged conservative evangelicals like Jerry Falwell and Robertson to translate that fascination into active backing for hardline Israeli positions.

But given the Christian Right's domestic agenda, the relationship has made many U.S. Jews uneasy. The 1994 report, ''The Religious Right: The Assault on Tolerance and Pluralism in America,'' excoriated Robertson for treating Jews as ''spiritual pawns'' who would bring on the end and then be converted to Christianity.

This year, for the first time, much of the American Jewish mainstream accepted, even celebrated, the Christian Right's professed love for Israel. In April, evangelicals joined Jews in the rally for Israel in Washington, with the Christian talk-radio host Janet Parshall giving what some say was the most hawkish address of the day. ''We will never give up the Golan,'' she proclaimed. (''We''?) ''We will never divide Jerusalem.'' The next week, the born-again House Republican whip Tom DeLay was the star of the annual meeting of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group, with a speech in which he rejected any U.S. pressure on Israel. Then came the official imprimatur of the ADL ad.

Why the reversal? Two years of Palestinian-Israeli conflict have left many American Jews feeling vicariously isolated, grateful for support from any quarter. Meanwhile, activists like Reed have learned to stress secular reasons (Israel is a democracy, a reliable ally) for their position.

Yet it's still a romance with strange undertones. The Christian Right clergy continues to cite Israel as the clearest proof that the end is nigh -- and continues to express the expectation that Jews will then die or convert. A centerpiece of the Christian Coalition's convention in Washington in October was a rally for Israel, with right-wing Israeli pols as the drawing card. DeLay reportedly told the crowd to support candidates who ''stand unashamedly with Jesus Christ.'' Joe Lieberman, presumably, need not apply.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

The 1994 report, ''The Religious Right: The Assault on Tolerance and Pluralism in America,''

Well... as long as "the 1994 report" says so, Christianity MUST be evil. Thanks for clearing that up for us N.Y. Times. A shame you will burn in hell as non-believers...

[xJones]

What's the real matter for you? The Christians didn't come crawling to Allah after 9/ll?

[JZoback]

But given the Christian Right's domestic agenda,

What exactly is the Christian right domestic agenda?

How can the so-called Christian right have an agenda when no such organization exists?

Since their is a "domestic" agenda, is their a international agenda also?

Inquiring minds want to know

[JZoback]

their=there

[Davis]

Here is a good example of both the Christian mind-set and the Jewish experience in Israel...

A letter from Israel
http://www.atrentino.com/Israel.html

[judicial meanz]

Here we go again.

1) Trot out the leftist, secular Jews,
2) Do your best to raise the spectre of assimilation, extermination or any other excuse you can find to alientate the Christian supporters of Israel from the Jewish mainstream.
3) get it published in a left wing rag like the fervently Anti-Semitic NY times
4) Hope it gets repeated enough times to isolate Israel from the fervent support of US Christians

It is a never ending story.

Just another limp wristed left wing attempt to create schisms in the support of Israel.

Shema Yisrael
( and long live the US Christian supporters of Israel)

[Savage Beast]

"Israel has intoxicated Christian fundamentalists since the day it was established. In their eyes, the Jewish state provides real-world proof that their reading of Biblical prophecies is correct -- and that the world is racing toward the Second Coming."

This is either (1) intentional dysinformation or (2) stupidity.

[Savage Beast]

"Yet it's still a romance with strange undertones."

Perhaps to the author of this article.

"The Christian Right clergy continues to cite Israel as the clearest proof that the end is nigh -- and continues to express the expectation that Jews will then die or convert."

I'm no fundamentalist, and I'm not a member of the "Christian Right", but I haven't heard anything like this from any who are, only from "Liberal" propaganda machines, e.g. the New York Times.

It may be wishful thinking on their part.

Maybe they're merely displaying their usual inability to comprehend and accept reality.

[Migraine]

Better a part of the Christian right than the Christian wrong.

[LiteKeeper]

bump

[Davis]

another bump in the night