Camouflaging a Christian Nationalist Worldview Behind a "Pro-Israel" Facade

[Emit]

Camouflaging a Christian Nationalist Worldview Behind a "Pro-Israel" Facade
Rachel Tabachnick

While the nation is fixated on the racist statements and misspelled signs at Tea Party events, there is a simultaneous movement working to bring together a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-national, and even multi-religious coalition, in an aggressive effort to "reform" America to conform with their biblical worldview.

On April 15-16 the Freedom Federation, a recent coalition of Religious Right organizations, will be holding a conference at Liberty University titled The Awakening 2010. The event could be described as Religious Right activists - White, Hispanic, Asian, and African American, coming together to embrace a John Birch Society worldview to the tunes of Hebrew melodies. It may sound unlikely, but the "pro-Israel" agenda is the camouflage that provides cover for this explicitly Christian nationalist movement.

This gathering of Religious Right leaders features familiar faces and familiar themes such as opposition to gay rights and reproductive rights. But the overall theme of the organization is reforming American government. The Freedom Federation includes established Religious Right organizations including the Family Research Council, Traditional Values Coalition, Eagle Forum, Concerned Women of America, and Wallbuilders, but notable is the inclusion of many organizations from the independent charismatic wing of the Religious Right which has been organized and streamlined under the auspices of C. Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and its apostles and prophets. These include Lou Engle's "The Call," Rick Joyner's MorningStar Ministries and Oak Initiative, Strang Communications, Cindy Jacobs' Generals International, and Che Ahn's Harvest International.

~snip~

Also on the roster are other New Apostolic leaders including Rick Joyner, head of MorningStar Ministries and the Oak Initiative. Joyner has been one of the leaders in the battle against health care reform and advertises his contacts with Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann. His Oak Initiative page includes videos which demonstrate the worldview and goals of the organization. At the bottom of the page is a video titled The Proper View of Capitalism. This is a segment of a film titled "Overview of America" produced by the John Birch Society.

~snip~

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/4/13/194134/063/Front_Page/_Camouflaging_a_Christian_Nationalist_Worldview_Behind_a_quot_Pro_Israel_quot_Facade

Part Two of Camouflaging a Christian Nationalist Worldview Behind A "Pro-Israel" Facade:
Israeli Politicians to Speak at Freedom Federation's "The Awakening 2010"

~snip~

... Christian Zionism is the ultimate "wedge issue," a tool of the culture wars used to divide Jews in the way that other culture war issues have divided Christians and ripped apart denominations.

~snip~

For Jews who want a peaceful Israel and Palestine existing side by side, the Christian Zionist partnership with Israeli politicians has created a no-win situation. Zionism has become a dirty word, seen as a tool of both the Jewish and Christian Right to impose an aggressive, bloody, and racist agenda for a "greater Israel" with little regard for the lives of her neighbors. Christian Zionists market a narrative in which this "greater Israel" spreads from the Nile to the Euphrates, involving the brutal death of millions, a narrative which incites fear and hatred and obstructs attempts at peace.

Progressive Jews can be demonized by the Right and the Left at the same time - by the former for being a the source of evil, secular, liberal humanism/socialism/communism/feminism, etc. and the latter for being evil Zionists.

For the Religious Right this is a strategic victory. Not only have they enveloped millions of Hispanic and Asian evangelicals and African Americans into their movement, but they are perfecting the "wedge issue" to divide American Jews, particularly at the national leadership level. ...

~snip~

It is imperative that progressives make the distinction between the Zionism of the Religious Right and their right wing Israeli and Jewish partners, and the Zionism of most American Jews. The majority of American Jews support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Middle East, not expansion of a "greater Israel" to bring about a biblically based utopia sought by a subset of millennial-minded Christians and Jews. A poll in 2008 indicated that 78% of American Jews believed at that time that Jewish groups should not partner with John Hagee's CUFI or other Christian Zionists. Polls taken over the last few years consistently indicate that over 70% of Israelis favor a two-state resolution.

The culture war currently taking place between those Christians who cherish social justice and the Glenn Becks of America who view social justice as evil, is also taking place in the Jewish community. Vicious broad-brushed attacks on Israel and Zionism only serve to drive many Jews further into this right wing "Biblical Zionist" partnership or at least causes them to question supporting liberal causes. As I read comments on liberal blogs I am seeing comments that are frighteningly similar to those coming from the far Right and I have talked with many progressive Jewish activists who are hesitant to participate in events if they fear their will be anti-Israel undertones.

~snip~

Americans who desire peace will no doubt be angered by Israeli officials cozying up to the Religious Right but please remember that this does not represent all Israelis, all Jews, or even all who consider themselves ardent Zionists. Please be cautious in the statements that you make. Don't drive more American Jews into the waiting arms of John Hagee, Cindy Jacobs, and Lou Engle.

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/4/13/201823/437/Front_Page/Israeli_Politicians_to_Speak_at_Freedom_Federation_s_quot_The_Awakening_2010_quot_

[Chulanowa]

1. These people are about the worst possible "friends" for Israel

Anyone here ever read the Bible? Understand why these freaks are so gung-ho for Israel? it's not because they love the Jews.

You see, according to the mythology, every single jew possible needs to be in the holy land. When that happens, jesus will come back.

And then kill all the Jews.

see, all those Jews who don't accept Jesus as messiah? Yeah, he's going to massacre them all and throw them in his dad's lake of fire.

One presumes he's going after the Muslims, too, but the bible was cooked up before they appeared, so, it's not specifically mentioned.

That's why they're pro-Israel, folks. Pack all the jews into a corner of land, have god stomp the shit out of them, and then, apparently, profit.

[Electric Monk]

2. Underpants Gnome economics, lol

[Subdivisions]

3. IBTM. n/t

[Electric Monk]

4. It's still here, and 7 hours old...

:shrug:

[Subdivisions]

5. Sorry! Goddamn! Posts concerning Israel are usually moved to IP, are they not? n/t

[Electric Monk]

6. :shrug:

:shrug: