Conservative Christians and Israel

[iamjoy]

A group of people from my group fitness class went out to dinner last nite, and my husband and I (both Liberals, I was raised Jewish but no longer observe, he was born to Jewish parents, but agnostic) wound up next to a couple of Conservative Christians.

So, I was willing to talk local politics, even knowing this woman is a Republican activist because there are some issues that really aren't so sharply partisan, or to discuss our party's respective primaries.

It was loud in the restaurant, so we couldn't talk to everyone, mostly the woman and her husband. The talk between the four of us turned to the ME. Key points: She and her husband feel that most Muslims (or Arabs) are violent and wish to impose their religion on us. They think Israel is totally in the right with the current situation and were surprised that I (as a Jew) had criticism for Israel's recent conduct. I said Israel had a right to exist, but its actions were only breeding more hatred and could ultimately lead to its demise. They didn't understand. They didn't know or denied that Israel got its independence from Britian in part through guerilla warfare. They still favored a hard line, it almost sounded like they were willing to condone genocide of Arabs.

Later, the woman's sister came up to me and said she couldn't believe I was talking to the husband, because she can't even talk politics with him and not get upset. Mind you, the sister is a Conservative Christian too, but a true Compassionate Conservative.


My husband later pointed out that he thought the couple was anti-Semitic. They made positive remarks about Jews, but it was done in a kind of patronizing way. Oh, so smart, so accomplished. Chosen by God, etc.

It makes me wonder if these people are truly unusual in their views or if other people have heard similar views from Conservative Christians.

[AusGail]

1. Did they tell you that some of their best friends were Jews?

It sounds like they tailor make their opinions to supposedly suit who they are talking to.

From reading your post I feel that you are very open minded on what is currently happening in the Middle East.

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Neo-cons are great at Liquid Logic, that's why their always right.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. You mean Shrubs Christians who cling to the letter of the law instead of ..

the spirit.Real christian have a pact with God, not the G.O.P And we will not harm those who have been superseded by Jesus, a jew .

[cool user name]

4. Sounds like the kind of people that:

Would throw us in the fire once Messiah has returned unless we convert.

[zonmoy]

9. basically sounds like my family and their churches.

they would love hitler as a leader as long as he tried to make our country into their definition of a christian nation.

[sandyd921]

5. Support for Israel is a central part of their theology

particularly their crazy views of the "end times". From July 2005 Jewish Currents in relation to the lack of opposition of major Jewish organizations to the Christian right:

"Mobilizing support for Israel — even for the reactionary politics of the Sharon administration — has simply eclipsed other priorities. Worse, evangelical support for Israel has muted Jewish criticism of the dangers posed by the Christian right. Even though this support springs from a profoundly anti-Semitic millenialist worldview — in which Jews make aliyah only to enable Christ's return, at which point we will convert or be swallowed up into the pits of eternal hell — and even though this worldview requires inflexible opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere in Judea and Samaria — which the vast majority of American Jews acknowledge is the only path to peace — it has bought a great deal of silence and even gratitude."

http://www.jewishcurrents.org/2005-july-kaplan.htm

As a Jew (like you a secular Jew) I find their anti-semitism (shrouded as it is in their favortism toward Israel), their anti-democratic ideas, reactionary agenda, and the power they have amassed in Washington very, very scary and threatening. :scared:

[mdpod]

6. Unfortunately, they would condone it.

Your post really hits close to home. Sometimes I feel more comfortable talking to strangers, if they are conservative christians, than I do with my own family. They share similar views with those you recently experienced. Their whole outlook on LIFE is kind of creepy but hell, I guess I creep them out when I go home to visit.

Their brand of anti-Semitism is certainly prevalent but I have to believe they would die for Israel. To them, revelation from the New Testament is occurring as we speak. I don't know...it's so bizarre, I don't know where to start and end so I will end now. Thanks for the post.

[Hemperor]

7. your view on Israel is mine exactly, but

that in no way excuses groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, etc.

[jwirr]

8. It sounds like to them you are not an individual with an identity

but instead a doctrine of their faith. You were only important to the degree that you (a Jew) play a part in their religion. You bet it is anti-Semitic.

[SPKrazy]

10. I'm A Liberal Christian

and I support Israel because they are a democracy in a region of mostly non-democracies.

Now I don't agree with their tactics (white phosphorous, bunker busters, depleted uranium) but I do believe that they have a right to go after Hizbullah (terrorists) who threaten their country and fire rockets, kidnap and kill soldiers, and in the past have done much worse.

Now I suppose that I'll get flamed for my views too.