jason els:
I may come off as a wacky conspiracy nut, but I'm wary of the christian evangelical's support by the United States for Israel.
A sect of evangelical christians, calling themselves "christian zionists" have made common cause with jews and neo-cons in their support for Israel. John Hagee, pastor of the 19.000 member mega-church Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, who believes in traditional Pentecostal practices such as the "baptism of the Holy Spirit", miraculous healing, anointing with oil, and the "worship of the Lord through singing, clapping, and the lifting of hands" - as well as the "absolute authority of the scripture" - is the guy whose endorsement John McCain sought during his '08 presidential bid. John Hagee is a self-described "christian zionist".
Israel, Jews, neo-cons have all made common cause with the evangelical community because Israel, biblically speaking, is the staging ground for Armaggedon and for Jesus' Second Coming, the "Rapture". They will tell you it is all foretold in their christian Book of Revelations.
This is from wikipedia:
Some Christian Zionists believe that the "ingathering" of Jews in Israel is a prerequisite for the Second Coming of Jesus. This belief is primarily, though not exclusively, associated with Christian Dispensationalism. The idea that Christians should actively support a Jewish return to the Land of Israel, along with the parallel idea that the Jews ought to be encouraged to become Christian, as a means fulfilling a Biblical prophecy has been common in Protestant circles since the Reformation. The term Christian Zionism was popularized in the mid-twentieth century. Prior to that time the common term was Restorationism.
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John Hagee, who's denounced abortion, spoken out against homosexuality and stated that he does not believe in global warming, is also a best-selling author. In his book Jerusalem Countdown: A Warning to the World, Hagee interprets the Bible to predict that Russia and the Islamic states will invade Israel and will be destroyed by God. This will cause the antichrist, the head of the European Union, to create a confrontation over Israel between China and the West. A final battle between East and West at Armageddon will then precipitate the Second Coming of Christ.
Both evangelicals and neo-cons have been instramental in forging our Israeli policy. I'd hate to think mythology such as the Book of Revelations and Rapturous Second Comings are helping to guide american foreign policy.