This is a strange one. America certainly seems to have a large share of evangelical zealots, according to this article, many God-fearing Christians in the US are huge admirers of big bellied civilian murderer Ariel Sharon.
Meet the new Zionists
The members of the Christian Coalition of America are some of the most passionate defenders of Israel in the United States. There’s just one catch: they want to convert all Jews to Christianity. Matthew Engel reports on an unholy alliance …
In a country where weekly church attendance is about 20 times the level it is in Britain (40% v 2%), the relationship between religion and politics in the US is intense. And there is little doubt that, last spring, when President Bush dithered and dallied over his Middle East policy before finally coming down on Israel's side, he was influenced not by the overrated Jewish vote, but by the opinion of Christian "religious conservatives" - the self-description of between 15 and 18% of the electorate. When the president demanded that Israel withdraw its tanks from the West Bank in April, the White House allegedly received 100,000 angry emails from Christian conservatives.
Christian fundementalists in alliance with Jewish fundementalists, both who have a very un-secular like hold over this US government.
Brothers of OBL!
*But most Jewish leaders have opted to shrug, accept the Christians' support and let them whistle for their conversions. That certainly goes for Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, reportedly greeted "like a rock star" by Christian evangelicals in Jerusalem last month. More thoughtful leaders are at least concerned. *
This beast was greeted like a rock star by Christian fundamentalists? What kind of faith would inspire a people to hail a leader who was personally responsible for the massacre of hundreds of civilians? These people should not use their twisted version of religion to condone butchers like Sharon.
I have been following the specific theory of the Christian right for quiet some time. They are predominant in the Southern part of the US, and their majority belong to the Baptist community. (though all Baptists do not believe in non-critical support of Israel).
Here is a thread Building the temple started earlier on the same issue
Their primary goal is the second coming of Jesus, which in their opinion cannot happen unless all the tribes of Israel are in the Holy Land & the temple is rebuild. I have talked a few of their priests who say that it will be three days after the temple is built. And so comes their support for Israel.
In their interpretation when the second coming will happen, the Jews will have to accept the Messiah or die. Similar is the fate of all the rest of the world, regardless of their religious affiliation. Many sects of Muslims believe the same, but with a twist that the Messiah will actually advocate Islam & the non-believers will be killed. There is a sect among the Jews who still believes in the coming of Messiah, but their understanding is very different from Christians & Muslims. They believe he is to lead the newly founded Jewish state to the glory of the days of David & Solomon.
The foreign policy regarding Israel is not as much influential in swaying the votes of this Christian right. Their major concerns are abortion & other domestic issues like morality (homosexuality & pornography) etc. Even if the Republicans drop backing Israel, the voters will still be there as long as they keep their stand on other contemporary issues.
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*Originally posted by Judge^MentuLL: *
This beast was greeted like a rock star by Christian fundamentalists? What kind of faith would inspire a people to hail a leader who was personally responsible for the massacre of hundreds of civilians? These people should not use their twisted version of religion to condone butchers like Sharon.
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The beast is after $10 billion in loan guarantees, as the Palestinian intifada is hurting his economoy badly. Whats the betting that the US government will be most obliging to his request?
*"Karl Rove [Bush's political guru] has said publicly you cannot alienate your base. You cannot alienate that 18% of religious conservatives. You don't mess with these people," says Lynn. "They want you to be just as they are. And Bush is just as they are. He may waffle on one or two issues, such as stem-cell research. But fundamentally he comes down on their side." *
So Bush the born again Christian will ultimately come down on the side of fundementalist religous zealots? Well that's a big surprise.
Nearly.
ahmedjee
you are very correct. I have actually worked with ppl who believed in this as well i.e. messiah would come after the land is occupied by a certain group and the temple is rebuilt.
Now that would also mean the end of the world, so umm i guess these guys are on a long term suicide mission :)
the funny thing is even though all three groups believe in the return of the messiah. I just recall the retrun of the messiah from hithchikers guide ..the scene in the restaurtant at the end of the universe and just cant stop smiling.
read it if u get a chance
So Bush the born again Christian will ultimately come down on the side of fundementalist religous zealots? Well that's a big surprise.
I wouldn't conclude that for Bush or the Republican politics.
As the Electoral College in the US stands right now, these 18-20% votes count a lot, especially if you consider the last term neck to neck race between the presidential candidates. As demography of US changes at it's given pace; such a support to either of the political parties might not be very essential a few years down the road.
Only time can tell if these Fundamentalists will gather more support or lose it. Baptist as a community was losing their membership which wasn't even up to the birthrate in their strong holds areas. But then came Sep 11th, and that has affected that decline quiet a bit. How will it go in the next coming years will depend on what happens in these November elections as well as how Bush plays the global politics while trying to balance the domestic issues.
The good news is that unlike the moderates of other countries who are mostly silent, in the US more than often they speak up!
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*Originally posted by Judge^MentuLL: *
**So Bush the born again Christian will ultimately come down on the side of fundementalist religous zealots? Well that's a big surprise.
Nearly. **
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Yes he became so beholden to the Christian Chruch that he made a much publicised visit to the Catholic-hating Bob Jones University. A clear indication of the power, wealth and influence the Christian right exercise over the Republican party, and this US administration.
Republicans in the US generally court the religious right. George Bush may not agree totally with Bob Jones viewpoints, but did campaign there. Many Americans may not know of some of the finer points of Christian fundamentalism, actually. I would bet that some of the information available here is quite "off the radar screen".
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Originally posted by TOMASSO: *
**Republicans in the US generally court the religious right.*
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Yes, they do, and then they should also address some of the extremist statements that these courted people come out with. Did Bush use his visit to the rabidly anti-Catholic Bob Jones University to take them to task for their bigotry? No. Has this administration countered the claims of these Christian fundementalists that they have a stranglehold over US foreign policy of this administration, especially regards Israel? I have not seen any statements to counter these claims? Also, was there any condemnation from the Bush administration when Jerry Falwell decided to launch a vicious attack on our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)?
Dont compare these ppl with OBL, his methods are WRONG and unfortunate, BUT his ultimate aim (US forces leaving the Holy Arab Peninsula-landf of our master Rasool Allah) is legitimate and fine. If he used more peaceful means, perhaps grass roots political pressure, I'd have very little problems with him.
Article doesn’t provide as many details as perhaps i would have liked. Just a few Christian far-right groups (perhaps a few who donated $$$ into his campaign?) making their voices heard.
Discord as Bush preaches tolerance, BBC, 29 December 2002
President George W Bush is finding himself at odds with some of his key supporters over his efforts to reach out to Muslims in the United States and around the world. Shortly after the 11 September attacks, Mr Bush announced that the US would launch a crusade against international terrorism. The term “crusade” was deemed highly offensive by Muslims, given its historical context, and was quickly dropped by the president.
Since that one slip, Mr Bush has gone out of his way to preach tolerance towards Islam. He has made numerous visits to mosques and has repeatedly described Islam as a faith based on peace, love and compassion. Most Americans have welcomed that approach - but not all.
A number of key conservatives, normally among the president’s closest supporters, say on this issue he is wrong.
One prominent conservative, Paul Weyrich, has written that Islam is at war with America and that it is plainly not a religion of peace and tolerance. Some have gone further. The Reverend Franklin Graham, who spoke at the president’s inauguration, has described Islam as evil.
Another prominent Christian conservative, the Reverend Jerry Falwell, referred to the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist.
In the year ahead, this will be a key debate to watch. The Bush administration is anxious not to allow the war on terrorism to become a clash of civilisations.
Many conservatives are equally anxious to make the case that the president is frightened to tell what they see as the truth, for fear of upsetting America’s moderate Arab allies.
I cant believe I almost sounded like defending OBL back then-aaaaa, what a radical I was.
*One prominent conservative, Paul Weyrich, has written that Islam is at war with America and that it is plainly not a religion of peace and tolerance. Some have gone further. The Reverend Franklin Graham, who spoke at the president's inauguration, has described Islam as evil. Another prominent Christian conservative, the Reverend Jerry Falwell, referred to the Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist. *
And lets not forget these hate-mongering Christian fundementalists have millions of followers/listeners in the states, especially with the likes of high ratings Fox News giving them top billing. Plus, of course they have considerable influence with the present US administration, who felt so beholden to these people that Bush had to visit the Catholic-hating Bob Jones University to please these bigots.