Action Alert from Churches for Middle East Peace

A call for Israeli restraint? From this Bush with whom Israel always has a 'bye'? From the fundamentalists calling the Presidential hot-line for more innocent blood, carnage & death so as to effect their "end time" literalistic agenda? There cannot continue two codes for behavior: one for Palestinians & the region, one for Israel ---unrestrained & vengeful. Israel clearly needs to be reigned in, although having had a free hand & "Get Out of Jail" card for its disposal, it will be hard, in any sense. It is an impossible task for fundamentalists --of whom Dubya is one -- who read their bibles literally & therefore expect the blood to flow to usher in the Battle of Meggido. Yet, Israel needs to be reigned in & terrorism too. We are at the point in what we are seeing with frightening escalation & more than sabre-rattling promised from Islamic nations all around, up & down, that INACTION from Washington is the problem. Inaction is not a balancing off for ACTION, but Bush & this administration will never get it.

Arden, I have somewhat of a different take on the situation.

I remember many years ago, they had video of (I think) Palestinian youths hurling rocks at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers ended up firing back at the youths and there was a big outcry "they shot back when the youths were just throwing stones". It really irritated me that I kept hearing that for several days (I remember getting mad because I kept hearing it). THis was back in the early '70's (or possibly even the late '60's).

The problem was, they were NOT just throwing stones... they were using slings. I know slings. I played with them when I was a kid- I could smash a moderate sized stone through plywood and hurl a very heavy stone quite a distance!!!

They used to be a weapon of war. I'm not sure how much protection even modern body armor would provide against a stone hurled from a sling... but I'd bet that it would be very possible to cause injury!!!

Anyway... After that, I became quite cynical towards the Palestinians and the others... and that cynical attitude enabled me to catch other major distortions like the first- most came from the enemies of Israel.

So, I've gotten to the point where I don't know who to believe... because I am a member of a small group surrounded by hostile "others" most of whom seek our destruction because of hatred- I relate very strongly to Israel, yet I also relate to being almost a non-entity in my own land like the Palestinians. I understand (to a small degree) their hostility.

There is so much politics going on in the mideast right now, that it is very difficult to know who is truthful and why things are done. I do know that the dominionists are deliberately stirring the pot... but the results might be disasterous not only for them, but for everyone. Their stupidity could start WWIII... and if their ideas about the end times are wrong (as they've been for generations and as both modern scholarship and theology state), a lot of innocent people would die just because of the actions of some fundamentalist idiots.

It seems that things are ramped up.. I wonder how much of it is because of the upcoming election here in the US??? Maybe they know if they don't get a horrific war started soon, we'll yank the idiots out of power and get a little more balance established.

As Christians, we need to try to find ways to PREVENT wars. Bush needs to be reminded of that- and he needs to be told that violence and preemptive strikes do not prevent war and are NOT CHRISTIAN.

We also need to get the message out to the world that a lot of us do NOT approve of what has been happening.

I also pray that the behind the scenes dominionist junk gets exposed and defeated.

It would be delicious ironic justice if this stuff was exposed, dealt with, and it fell back on the heads of the dominionist people (churches) who sponsored it!!!

"As he came near & saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!'" Luke 19:41-42

In a statement issued July 14, 2006, Church World Service (CWS) & the Nat'l Council of Churches (NCC) are calling upon all parties in the Middle East to end the current hostilities, to develop non-violent strategies for engagement, and to work toward a just and sustainable settlement of the issues that plague the region.

In addition, CWS and the NCC are calling upon the religious communities of the region to pray, teach and lead their people in the ways of peace, and calling upon religious communities throughout the world and people of faith across the U.S. to pray for those who have suffered and walk in solidarity with the people of the Middle East through humanitarian and advocacy actions until peace is achieved.

For the complete statement, please visit www.churchworldservice.org

I wish that the US would use its influence over Israel (after all, without US aid, Israel would be in quite a pickle) to urge restraint. However, the actions of our country over the last 6 years have pretty much eroded the moral foundation we would need to make such a call. Afterall, we felt the need to invade a country and overthrow its government because our leaders believed it posed a threat to our security. And Iraq didn't even have non-government partisans firing rockets into our territory or abducting our servicemembers! Any attempt now to urge restraint will demonstrate our own hippocracy.

Funny how Bush's war against terror is going. Our primary ally in the Middle East is pursuing its own "go it alone" strategy against terrorist threats. Iraq continues to be marred by violence, bombings, and kidnappings. Violence is resurging in Afganistan, with reports of the largest military endeavors there since the invasion. Iran continues towards developing a nuclear bomb, North Korea continues to develop missiles that could one day drop nukes on Alaska and Hawaii (and are already capable of doing so on our primary Pacific ally, Japan). India is testing missiles, stepping up the rhetoric against Pakistan, and working out a deal to get nuclear aid from the US. Way to go Bush. I feel so much safer since 9-11.

How soon every one forgets; don’t you remember when Bush was saying that once Saddam Hussein was gone there would be pease in the mid east and now you are asking the Retard to solive a problem he created he is not smart enough to get out of Iraq let a lone solove this big problem the best thing Bush can do is go down to his Ranch and stack his abc blocks and see get above d with out help

Now, the move from the CWS and NCC is something I could get behind!! Now, if only they could get people to listen.....

I post the passages below for your consideration. They are taken either from the Qur'an or its authoritative commentary. My conviction is that the problem with the Middle East is Islam itself, as written in its own sacred texts, and that Hezbollah is perhaps not being as true to its "divinely inspired" calling as it ought to be.

I'd much rather err on the side of supporting not just Israel's right to exist, but that Jews as Jews have a right to exist.

Bukhari:V4B52N220 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘I have been made victorious with terror.’”

Qur’an 8:12 “I shall terrorize the infidels. So wound their bodies and incapacitate them because they oppose Allah and His Apostle.”

Qur’an 8:57 “If you gain mastery over them in battle, inflict such a defeat as would terrorize them, so that they would learn a lesson and be warned.”

Ishaq:326 “If you come upon them, deal so forcibly as to terrify those who would follow, that they may be warned. Make a severe example of them by terrorizing Allah’s enemies.”

Qur’an 8:67 “It is not fitting for any prophet to have prisoners until he has made a great slaughter in the land.”

Ishaq:588 “When the Apostle descends on your land none of your people will be left when he leaves.”

Tabari IX:42 “We have been dealt a situation from which there is no escape. You have seen what Muhammad has done. Arabs have submitted to him and we do not have the strength to fight. You know that no herd is safe from him. And no one even dares go outside for fear of being terrorized.”

Ishaq:326 “Allah said, ‘No Prophet before Muhammad took booty from his enemy nor prisoners for ransom.’ Muhammad said, ‘I was made victorious with terror. The earth was made a place for me to clean.’”

Ishaq:327 “Allah said, ‘A prophet must slaughter before collecting captives. A slaughtered enemy is driven from the land. Muhammad, you craved the desires of this world, its goods and the ransom captives would bring. But Allah desires killing them to manifest the religion.’”

Qur’an 7:3 “Little do you remember My warning. How many towns have We destroyed as a raid by night? Our punishment took them suddenly while they slept for their afternoon rest. Our terror came to them; Our punishment overtook them.”

Ishaq:510 “When the Apostle looked down on Khaybar he told his Companions, ‘O Allah, Lord of the Devils and what into error they throw, and Lord of the winds and what they winnow, we ask Thee for the booty of this town and its people. Forward in the name of Allah.’ He used to say this of every town he raided.”

Bukhari:V5B59N512 “The Prophet offered the Fajr Prayer [Prayer of Fear] near Khaybar when it was still dark. He said, ‘Allahu-Akbar!’ [Allah is Greatest] Khaybar is destroyed, for whenever we approach a hostile nation to fight, then evil will be the morning for those who have been warned.’ Then the inhabitants came out running on their roads. The Prophet had their men killed; their children and woman were taken as captives.”

Bukhari:V9B87N127 “The Prophet said, ‘I have been given the keys of eloquent speech and given victory with terror.’”

Ishaq:517 “Khaybar was stormed by the Apostle’s squadron, fully armed, powerful and strong. It brought certain humiliation with Muslim men in its midst. We attacked and they met their doom. Muhammad conquered the Jews in fighting that day as they opened their eyes to our dust.”

Tabari VIII:116/Ishaq:511 “So Muhammad began seizing their herds and their property bit by bit. He conquered home by home.”

Bukhari:V5B59N512 “The Prophet had their men killed, their children and woman taken captive.”

Tabari VIII:129 “After the Messenger had finished with the Khaybar Jews, Allah cast terror into the hearts of the Jews in Fadak.”

Qur’an 33:26 “Allah made the Jews leave their homes by terrorizing them so that you killed some and made many captive. And He made you inherit their lands, their homes, and their wealth. He gave you a country you had not traversed before.”

Qur’an 59:2 “It was Allah who drove the [Jewish] People of the Book from their homes and into exile. They refused to believe and imagined that their strongholds would protect them against Allah. But Allah came at them from where they did not suspect, and filled their hearts with terror. Their homes were destroyed. So learn a lesson, O men who have eyes. This is My warning…they shall taste the torment of Fire.”

Qur’an 33:60 “If the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. Then they will not be able to stay as your neighbors. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy—a fierce slaughter—murdered, a horrible murdering.”

Joshua 8:24-25 "When Israel had finished slaughtering all the inhabitants of Ai in the open wilderness where they pursued them, and when all of them to the very last had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai, and attacked it with the edge of the sword. The total of those who fell that day, both men and women, was twelve thousand-all the people of Ai."

1 Samuel 15:2 "Thus says the Lord of Hosts, 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did in opposing the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

I could go on, but why? I do not intend to demonize Jewish people nor Christians but only to point quoting isolated bits of scripture to make moral judgements about modern people is completely pointless. The fact is that innocent people are being killed on both sides in the Middle East and we, as Christians, have a responsbility to do what we can to end this violence (which for us probably means putting pressure on our government). I'm getting tired of hearing that because we are Christians and Americans we should take sides in this conflict. I am only interested in peace and an end to the killing, not in assigning blame.

Deren, touche'

There is a difference, however. The verses that I cited reflect the current mindset, chapter and verse, of Hamas and Hezbollah and all others bent on the annihilation of Israel as a nation, and at worst, as a people. The Jews, on the other hand, are largely western and secularized in their thinking, which in itself may or may not be a bad thing, but is to say that they don't march to war with a "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts!" battlecry. No "Allahu Akbar!" for them.

I agree with you that the Christian call is to pray and work for peace.

More examples of "modern" Islamist thinking from sources that may or may not be biased. You decide.

http://pmw.org.il/Racism%20&%20antisemitism.htm

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=531892&contrassID=1&subContrassID=9&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y

http://www.likud.nl/extr242.html

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47891

Lex,

Jews are "largely western and secularized in their thinking"?

There is a sizable contingent of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel who vigorously push the Israeli government away from peace. They resisted and continue to resist removing the settlements from Palestinian territory, they advocate violence, etc.

But the fact is, they are a fringe. And like the radical Islamic fringe, their use of violence gets them more headlines and attention than their due. And sadly for most Muslims, many non-Muslims don't see the overwhelming numbers of Muslim communities that go way out of their way to publically condemn terrorism, only to be ignored by Western media.

If we want to discourage Islamic terrorism, we need to stop making terror people's only option in the face of increasing western encroachment into Muslim states. Israel's invasion of Lebanon is only going to encourage more Lebanese (and others from around the Middle East) to be anti-Israeli, and Hammas and Hezbola are looking more and more like the only two organizations that will stand up to the Israeli-US power structure.

Yes, the only way to eliminate terrorism is to undermine the terrorists' support by addressing its root causes. I'm not enough of a political scientist to know what all those are, but I do know that the situation in the Middle East between the Israelis and Palestinians has been a bleeding sore for decades now. I know that the US has made many attempts to mediate these differences - while at the same time declaring its staunch support for Israel, which hasn't helped us build our image as a legitimate, impartial mediator. Of course, we must raise our voices to condemn the campaign of murder carried out by Hamas and Hezbollah, and we, as a nation, have done that. We also should condemn Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure and its killing (incidental though it may be) of Palestinian, and now Lebanese, bystanders.
Our government should have made a just and peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestian crisis our number one foreign policy priority. If we had succeeded in bringing about such a resolution, it is quite possible that the radical Islamic fringe, most visibly represented by Osama bin-Ladin, would never have become as influential as it is today. I pray it is not to late to bring about such a resolution. Let us, as American Christians, work for peace and justice for all.

john g, as you write, the ultra-orthodox "are a fringe." Their voice has not prevailed.

"If we want to discourage Islamic terrorism, we need to stop making terror people's only option in the face of increasing western encroachment into Muslim states."

Only option??? How about Hamas and Hezbollah recognizing Israel's right to exist as a nation, hmm? Perhaps you believe that the U.N erred when it created Israel in 1948. If not, then please recall that Israel didn't pre-emptively invade Lebanon in this latest bloodfest, as even the Prime Minister of Lebanon acknowledges. Maybe you and he need to get on the same page. Just a suggestion.

Deren wrote, "Yes, the only way to eliminate terrorism is to undermine the terrorists' support by addressing its root causes."

Examining current Saudi Arabian textbooks is a very good place to start in finding "root causes" of the vitriol aimed at Jews and all things Jewish, in addition to what I have posted above, the seemingly "divine" sanction in the Qur'an and its commentary for MOST of the hellish anti-semitic nonsense that permeates the Arab world.

Certainly there are Muslims working for peace with the Jews. Anwar Sadat was one of them.

Incidentally, another overlooked fact is that the U.N. also set aside land for a Palestinian state in 1948, and that most of that land was gobbled up by Jordan. Where is the hue and cry over this theft?

The Arab world has commenced and lost at least 5 wars of extermination against the Jewish state, and the U.S. is seen as an aggressor for simply trying to help its friend to avoid being driven into the sea?

I also fault Ariel Sharon, the architect of the hated settlements policy. He DID encroach on Muslim lands to provide a buffer zone, but he also presided over their dismantlement -left incomplete, but for good reason, as he saw it.

Deren, it hasn't been the Israelis tearing the scab off of the "bleeding sore," but those in the Arab world who have been only too happy to use the Palestinian diaspora as a weapon against Jewish "apes" who deserve to die. It doesn't surprise me in the least. Those strategists who glorify the "martyrdom" of willing dupes who blow up Israeli civilians are pleased as punch to be able to divert attention from the fact that they have failed miserably to serve their own people as they ought to have been doing all along.

Consider how differently things might look now if Yasser Arafat had spent every dime of support that the PLO had been given over the years, to building schools and hospitals and other infrastructure for the people that he and his cronies were allegedly "serving," even in collaboration with his Jewish cousins across the border, instead of using it to buy weapons and training manuals for how best to terrorize the enemy "apes," while lavishing the rest on himself, his jet set wife, and his pampered pals in their limousines?

I think that with bush in office, peace between Isreal and it's neighbors isn't as big a priority as it could be... considering their dedication to starting "armegeddon".

The situation there is very complex- not only the early history, but recent history (1946 onward) is even more so. Some points to consider...

That the Jews owned a large portion of the land that became their state.

There was a large area of swampland that the Jews purchased, drained and turned into valuable farmland. The moslems want that land (same as they want all the other land purchased by Jews).

I think it's been already mentioned, but much of the land for the Palestinian state was taken by Jordon.

The state of Israel was created at the behest of not only Jews, but fundamentalist-like cultists in England (and elsewhere). It was created by international law- and the UN is the body that created the nation.

These are only a few points. There are a lot more (and there are a lot I don't know).

John is right about the causing factors for terrorism. The problem is the people in power there are using hatred for Jews to deflect attention from their own shortcomings. The US also has severly fouled it's own bed there by supporting repressive regimes and even putting one in power (the Shaw of Iran). There is much blame to be spread around. In essence, the US elite's fear of leftist governments have created much of the problems the world faces today.

However, the question isn't so much blame as how to deal with the mess. I like the approach taken by the CWS and NCC as a start.

The web is a wonderful resource, proven yet again by something that Bob's mention of "fundamentalist-like cultists in England" brought to mind.

I'd heard the term "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," before, but hadn't looked it up, till now, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion It's worth a look see, because it is one of the contributing factors to the bloody mess that is the middle east.

I also agree with the CWS and NCC approach, but as you've asked elsewhere, Bob, is anyone listening? Everything has been so radicalized over there that even the chief stokers have to be a bit fearful of what all of this festering hatred has finally produced. Zarqawi's sick hope may actaully come to pass and engulf the entire Arab world in its own self-destructive orgy of Shia v. Sunni violence, while the ultra-orthodox in fortress Israel might consider it an answer to their prayers. God help us all!

At my Levellers' blog (http://anabaptist418.blogspot.com/ )for Saturday, I give the statement of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America on the current Middle East violence. Our longterm commitment has always been to a 2-state agreement with the pre-1967 borders (as all UN resolutions site and all U.S. presidents until Bush insisted), no apartheid wall, a shared Jerusalem, etc. We will be consulting with our partners at Churches for a Middle East Peace, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Jewish Peace Fellowship, Muslim Peace Fellowship, Rabbis for Human Rights, Sabeel, Fellowship of Reconciliation, etc. for next steps--steps to pressure the U.S. into action as well as direct action steps we can take apart from govts. as "transforming initiatives." I invite and challenge all Christian progressives to make this a priority, both in prayer and action.

When the Reagan admin. gave Israel the greenlight to invade Lebanon and Syria in 1982, it led to 15 years of violence, the creation of Hezbollah, the bombing of the U.S. marines at Beirut (after which Reagan "cut and run"), and many kidnappings and hostage takings of U.S. citizens--for which Reagan paid no political price unlike Carter for the Iranian hostages even though Carter got them all out alive! If Bush II gives Israel a similar greenlight here, how bad will it get? We are the only govt. Israel MUST listen to because our tax $ pays for all their weapons! There is plenty of blame to go around, but lets save much for Bush's complete disinterest in a just peace between Israel and Palestine--a disinterest evident as soon as he got into office and which led to the 2nd Intifada, etc.

The only person standing between Israel and WWIII is (shudder!) W--so we have to push him to act, even as we must act ourselves in risky peacemaking without waiting for any govt. approval.

Michael, I just finished reading your piece at your blog site. It covers the basic outlines well, but allow me to play devil's advocate if I may.

The government of Lebanon basically ceded control of the south to Hezbollah, as though it could wash its hands of the back and forth volleys that it has exchanged with Israel over the past number of years. It's called aiding and abetting.

Israel has targeted what it knows, or at least believes to be, Hezbollah centers of power. That they are located in civilian neighborhoods is unfortunate, just as it is unfortunate that mosques in Iraq have been used as sniper posts, but such tactics need to be seen as what they, public relations ploys used to garner public sympathy when the inevitable civilian casualties are shown on CNN around the world.

On the other hand, as far as I can tell, Hezbollah doesn't care what its rockets hit in Israel, except to say that the more civilian casualties it inflicts, the better for its "Cause."

Hi Lex

The commentators I've heard have said that Lebanon's government has only limited political power to prevent Hezbolah from conducting its policy. We Quakera are not really hip to military strategy and tactics, but I can tell you that Israel's reaction to the the kidnapping of three of its soldiers is surely having a disasterous *political* effect, whatever you think of the morality of their attacks.

It seems to me that today's events illustrate the complete futility of the military option. Killing your enemy too foten has the effect of motivating the innocent bystanders to kill you instead of deterring them from killing you. I believe that if I strike you with force you will back down, but if you strike me with force I will resist your force with courage. That's they way we all are, sacrificing our own lives with courage by killing their side, while they respond with courage killing us. And the end of it all is death, nothing more. Christ shows us a different way from killing our enemy--we are to love our enemy, to bless those who curse us. And at the risk of being labeled an intolerant one, I will say it's the only way.

your friend
Keith

Lebanon had no choice about "ceding control" to Hezbollah. Until very recently, Lebanon was controlled by Syria and both that and the very creation of Hezbollah came because of the invasion of Lebanon by Israel (and the resultant Lebanese civil war) in 1982.

I have no love for Hezbollah or any other terrorist group, but Israel is committing state terrorism by not respecting the rules of war. No matter what provocation, one does NOT capture elected officials, nor bomb electric plants that power water plants for civilians, nor bomb civilian cities, etc. (The U.S. violated these same rules of war in our conquest of Iraq.) One cannot fight terrorism by using the same terror tactics on a wider scale.

We need an immediate cease fire and then pressure by the U.S. and the international community for a Middle East Peace Summit that addresses ALL the issues--and refuses to end until all are solved--including sharing Jerusalem, getting a nuclear-free Middle East, etc.

Greetings,

Here is my opinion from a military/historical perspective.
One of the branches of Zionism is religious Zionism. Religious Zionists believe that God gave Israel to them and them alone. They also believe that the Torah should be the center of Zionism and the law of the Land of Israel.(Sound familiar like maybe Dominionist Christians?)
According to the entry for Religious Zionism in the Wikipedia, the Religious Zionists(referred to hereafter as Mizrachi) have gained a majority in the Israeli Defense Forces NCO and Petty Officer ranks. They also have a high presence in combat units where they are highly regarded as excellent soldiers and officers. This jibes with Martin van Creveld's observations that of every 100 IDF conscripts only three volunteer for duty with combat units. Guess who those three usually are.
Is it any wonder that we're seeing the violence escalate?
Reference:
The Sword And the Olive
Martin van Creveld
ISBN:158648155

Frank, great contribution! Onward Jewish soldiers! From the Wadi of Egypt to the River Euphrates, but it won't be this way at all till Messiah returns. Prophecy will have its fulfillment. I am NOT a Domimionist. The call is to work and pray for peace, but again, prophecy will have its fulfillment.

Michael, there's something schizophrenic about the whole idea of rules of war, which is NOT to say that there shouldn't be any, just war theory and all that, but as my ex-Navy brother said when the discussion turned to rules of war, "The way to win a war is to cheat."

"We mean to kill you, but we won't be vicious about it. We'll respect your infrastructure, unless you happen to be hiding in it. We don't intend to target civilians, unless they stand between you and us. If we kill them, it's YOUR fault." Madness.

Keith, if we live by the sword, we will die by it. I don't think you're being intolerant at all. You are being sane in an insane world.

I however, have serious doubts about prophesy. Almost all of the stuff I hear is "death! doom! and destruction!"- just the opposite of the loving God that I choose to believe in. That is one of the reasons I left the AG church- because their preaching was fear based- and left no hope for anyone else!

Beware the literal interpretation of any scripture!!!

We need to work for peace. I don't like any of the stuff that is going on in the mideast- on both sides. I do tend to be more sympathetic towards the Jews (for reasons I've already mentioned), but that sympathy isn't blind. I do know that the terrorists (as well as countries like Iran) are dedicated to the destruction of Israel... and that many of the countries teach their children to hate Jews. Shoot, it wasn't that long ago here in the US where it was OK to persecute Jews!!!

As for shameful history, it is a great and bitter sorrow that Roman Catholicism up until relatively recently barely tolerated Jews, but sure did like Jewish money!

John Paul II was the first Pope to ever visit the Rome Synagogue, and the first Pope to pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Pius XII is faulted for not doing enough to save Jews during WWII, but he saved thousands, nonetheless.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem. I expect he saw not only the Roman seige and destruction in 70, but the suffering that these people, his own, would have to endure for the next 2000 years for not recognizing the time of their visitation, even with the creation of Israel as a state. It was supposed to be a place of refuge, where the survivors of Hitler's ovens could tend their wounds in peace. It has hardly been that.

Frank... yeah, it sounds like dominionism... and definately a form of fundamentalism.

Like we're all alluding to- the situation with Israel is very complex, with many "players" and things going on behind the scenes. So many of the players are dedicated to violence, that a voice for peace is needed (not only because it is right), but because a voice for peace would help provide a counter to the undercurrent of violence.

"Blessed are the peacemakers...."

Lex, I am committed to gospel nonviolence. I am a former soldier who, when converted to Christ, became a conscientious objector and had to leave the military. I do not believe in Just War Theory. However, JWT is embedded in international law and has been since the Middle Ages. Military strategists may not like it and be tempted to cheat, but we call these folks "war criminals" and try them accordingly. Both Hezbollah and the IDF are guilty. Hezbollah began this round of the spiral of violence (perhaps in support of Hamas or of Gaza civilians? who knows?) and they have continued to launch missiles blindly into civilian areas in Israel. That violates the rules of war--civilians not only may not be deliberately targeted, but all pains must be taken to avoid civilian casualties, even at greater risk to your military. (Islamic law is even stricter about civilian casualties which goes to show how far Hezbollah and similar Islamic terrorist groups are from mainstream Islam.)

Israel, on the other hand, has bombed civilian infrastructure, neighborhoods which they suspect to be Hezbollah strongholds, airports, bridges, etc. Almost 100% of the 200+ Lebanese killed so far have been civilians--including almost 50 children to date. The sea, land, and air blockade, making it nearly impossible for refugees to flee is a gross war crime.

I emphasize this because the U.S. and our media kisses Israel's a** more than any other. One finds it easier to find criticism of Israeli policies in Jerusalem newspapers than in the U.S. press which is TERRIFIED of being called anti-Semitic. Liberal Christians, out of guilt from 2000 years of Christian persecution of Jews leading up to the Holocaust, are afraid to criticize Israel. Fundamentalist Christians, because of the role Israel plays in their weird End Times theology (a theology which dates only to the end of the 19th C. and was obscure until the popularization of the Scofield Reference Bible), believe that anything Israel does is blessed by God.
This greatly skews our our moral assessments when it comes to U.S. support of Israeli policies.

Bob, Lex, Mike the Leveller Dude,

Here is something to consider regarding this situation. I believe that societies have collective psyches just as individual humans do. Now consider the abuse that Jewish people have gone through in just the past 100 years. Now it is a proven fact that people who are abused as children usually wind up becoming abusers themselves when they grow up. Could not the same be said for societies? When the Jewish people "grew up" i.e. had their own nation they collectively picked up the abusive habits of their tormentors.
For example, in 1956 a young Israeli paratroop officer was quoted as saying that he would destroy the Palestinian people, rape their women and murder their children. His name was Ariel Sharon.
I sometimes wonder if somewhere in Hell Hitler isn't laughing midst the flames at his legacy.
There is so much to do and so little time to do it in.

I support the Israelites for the Fact that the Bible says they are God’s chosen People; as I see it they just make a lot of mistakes in Germany they refused to take the violent path and Hitler won out over the peace lovers so much for non violence crap. Then came the 7 day war with Egypt They won, then they gave most of it back to try and have peace with Ahab; another mistake now they are going to have to pay for the same real-estate twice. My take is to give them all the arms support they need but no troops; and I am Shore that in a few weeks they will have taken enough real-estate that Ahab will surrender. And then if they will quit trying to get cheap labor like the U.S.A. dose with Mexico as they did before by hiring cheap Arab labor; and the keep a buffer Zone wide enough that a cheap rocket can not span. And if they violate the buffer zone go and take more Real-estate. and soon they will have ever lasting peace

I can see God's sense of humor in this... but people can't take the joke.

I personally think that Palestine and Israel were meant to share and be neighbors. They had the chance years ago and blew it.

Aren't the Palestinians and the Israelis cousins, after all? Isaac and Ishmael, each call Abraham "Dad." In the Hebrew text, Isaac is the child of the promise, but in the Qur'an, it is Ishmael. Both accounts can't be true.

I favor the Hebrew account. It is far older, and I would also suggest that this is one reason for the hatred. Ishmael never got over it, and for a fact Mohammad couldn't stand the thought of it. Why else would "Gabriel," Mohammad's angellic muse, change the story?

Frank, Sharon v. Arafat, how they loved to hate each other!

Michael, thanks for the tip on Scofield! I have enough fun just comparing the footnotes in the Ryrie Study Bible with those in the NAB.

"Islamic law is even stricter about civilian casualties which goes to show how far Hezbollah and similar Islamic terrorist groups are from mainstream Islam," you wrote.

The way around the civilian "rule" is to simply state that there are no civilians, that the families and neighbors of the enemy soldiers are themselves complicit by the very support they give to their loved ones. It makes them enablers, more than "mere" civilians. All you need is a fatwa that says so, and I'd imagine they have fatwas in spades, especially from Iranian clerics.

What is going on? Today is day 9 of the Israeli/Hezbollah War.

It used to be that in time of crisis, in a time of despair, in a time of war, this country…this country was as reliable as Yellowstone’s ‘Old Faithful’ geyser. In the decades of conflict within the Middle East, the United States has acted as a beacon of hope and resilience that could be counted on to implement a cessation of hostilities if not permanently, then long enough for humanitarian activities to remove the dead, evacuate the wounded and allow civilians a time to flee. However, just as that famous geyser has become an unreliable sight, so too the US has faded from the world’s view. No longer is this nation the diplomatic power broker to be counted on to help negotiate the seemingly impossible or intractable situation.

With the recent Hezbollah provocation and Israeli invasion of Lebanon the United States has continued to exhibit the same type policy that has been in place since day one of the current administration. The ‘cowboy swagger’ policy of our way or the highway has showed the rest of the world that our leaders are either incompetent; determined neoconservative imperialists; politically motivated opportunists; dominionism’s bidders or all of the above.

Diplomatic urgency has been paramount within the Middle East and this nation has turned a blind eye to any framework for peace. Sadly, our nation is not only addicted to oil as the President states, but we are unequivocally addicted to war. Our nation resorts to and supports the use of force and violence that in turn begets more violence hatred and distrust of our once revered and respected worldly nation. Our reputation is in tatters and no one seems to care.

Our nation has succumbed to the fear and war mongering tactics of the current administration. Terrorists used aircraft as missiles on 9/11 that initiated what we have today in this country. The terrorists have inflicted the worst possible of scenarios on our way of life. The attacks left used deeply scarred. The flesh of our bones has been exposed for all to see and we are allowing the tendons of our deepest most sacred freedoms to be ripped savagely away from our limbs. Powerful political opportunists have seized the day and work within the framework of fear to inculcate a revisionist view of democracy. A view based on absolute authority resting within the hands of the inherent authoritative president; the decider on all matters. The most basic elements of constitutional rights are being cast aside all in the name of national security with a level of bravado and secrecy that is unparalleled.

Yes…our nation is threatened by an extremist ideology that wishes us unfathomable harm, but I fear that we are headed for a tumultuous train wreck that will bring harm upon our nation as well. Harm due to our failure to see beyond our lust for power and greed for financial gain.

Many lives have been given for this country unselfishly in times of great peril. The majority of soldiers wearing the uniform of our country are serving to protect our nation from Islam’s religious fanatics. Who, I ask will protect our nation from those within our very own borders that are willing to use religion as a pawn to achieve an ever increasing monopoly on the reigns of power. We are sliding down the slippery slope of theocratic totalitarianism.

What can we do?

Pray. Pray for peace. Pray for the just, for the righteous, for those embroiled in conflict to realize the costliness and absolute absurdity of war. Pray that this nation and other world leaders can somehow come to their senses and realize the injustice of our actions here at home and abroad. Pray for those who are in harm’s way. Pray for all the families affected by terror and war. Pray for understanding of the world for our nation. We must stand strong in the promotion of our liberty and our democratic way of life, but not down the barrel of a gun. We must defend ourselves from those who would do us harm, but as powerful as we are, the bully mentality of going to look for a fight has got end. Otherwise, the pariah outcast reputation we so commonly place on nations that do not adhere to what we call civilized, will become a label ever increasingly placed upon us.

It is so disheartening to see our nation bogged down in the tragedy of Iraq, and apparently now we are beginning to lose respect in Afghanistan and now set idly by and watch Israel and Hezbollah destroy Lebanon and each other. We are better than this! Those many soldiers who gave their lives freely are worth more than this. What is happening to our nation’s reputation, rights and liberties is an affront to the soldiers who died on so many a faraway field or beach. Without our nation’s resolve to take the diplomatic initiative, to rise above the fray, to step up to the plate as we so respectfully and historically have done before we are destined for further turmoil on a scale we dare not contemplate. We must show others what true discipleship is all about.

So again, I say pray. Pray that Creator God will work in the hearts of those who sow the evil and destructiveness of war throughout this world. Let them see that all God wants is for us to worship and to seek the face; seek the guidance through the praise we bestow. It is amazing to think that through all devastation shines the saving grace love and mercy of our creator God unto all. It is amazing too that we are so blind to it.

God forgive us for we know not what we do.

Ray,
What is incredibly shameful is that the U.S. has been rushing more bombs to Israel, even though U.S. law specifically requires that no weapons sold or given away be used on civilians. Bush and Condi Rice have refused to call for a ceasefire because they believe that "peace will come when Hezbollah is wiped out." What they don't seem to get is that every moment this goes on, Hezbollah is gaining more support in Lebanon and across the Arab world as civilians die. Hezbollah is a Shi'a movement and most of Lebanon is Sunni, but Israel's indiscriminate killing of civilians is gaining them ground among the Sunnis, too. It is even gaining them ground among Arab Christians who had previously defended Israel's right to exist and condemned groups like Hezbollah.

Lebanon has more Christians than any other part of the Middle East and many of them live in EXACTLY the Southern part where Israel is bombing and now sending ground troops. The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary has been turned into a makeshift hospital. Its dean, Dr. Martin Accad, was teaching a summer course in the U.S. when the fighting started and now cannot even get back to his family--since the airport was bombed! Yet, staying in the U.S. he risks deportation to some 3rd country if his VISA runs out!

Yes, Hezbollah started this round of violence with the capture of 2 Israeli soldiers. That was stupid and immoral. But Israel does prisoner exchanges all the time. Why did Israel decide to flatten Gaza over one soldier and start an all-out war with Lebanon over two? They didn't do anything like this in the worst of previous years. In fact, they were very pragmatic about prisoner exchanges and other similar matters. Capture of soldiers and exchange is NOT a violation of international law (however much that is unfair), but targetting of civilians is--and now both Hezbollah and Israel are doing this, although Hezbollah seems to be mostly missing.

This war could spread like wildfire, but all the "End Times" Christians are overjoyed because they think this will hasten Jesus' return; Bush still thinks he can spread Middle East democracy through war; Israeli school girls are painting messages on bombs aimed at Lebanon; Arab hatred for Israel is growing by the second and Israel has around 30 nuclear weapons that she could get desperate enough to launch.

Meanwhile, U.S. Christians are so silent it is disgraceful.

Michael,
Disgraceful...is not even the word for it! You are right...the end timers dominionists are at the heart of this push. It is all so very frightening to watch unfold...and I just read that Israeli officials reported early today that they've been given the go ahead for another week of attacks. If you didn't see Bush's Chief of Staff this morning on Meet the Press, then I suggest you go to the MTP website and watch it...it was ridiculous!

Michael...we need to all pray, pray and pray somemore.

Today, in the local newspaper, there is an article about the Lebanon war.

The article says that the Lebanonese people are starting to blame Hezbollah for their problems.

I wonder how much of that is true- or is it the same old glossing over facts?

If it is true, then maybe there is a bit of hope. I find it telling that Hezbollah is hiding among and attacking from behind Christian Arabs.

Also in today's paper, there is an article about the local Rabbi leading a rally for Israel. Interesting- especially since I recognized dominionist names among the attendees.

Yes...things seem to be spiraling out of control. CNN ran a story in the last couple of days about how many hard core evangelicals (i.e. John Hagee, Jerry Falwell, etc.) are talking (as they do every other day) about Revelation and Armageddon; predicting that we're living in the very last days.

When this kind of talk starts I always refer back to and wonder if they have forgotten Matthew 24-36 ("However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.")

Pray for peace and that the leaders of Hezbollah and Israel will realize that Arab, Jew and gentile life is all precious in the sight of the Creator.

Continue to pray for peace.

I certainly support Israel's right to exist and to defend itself. However, Hezbollah didn't arrive in southern Lebanon in the last six weeks. I cannot see starting a conflict that could lead to WWIII over a border incident that was apparently designed to force an exchange of prisoners. I believe we should save the war option for invasions that threaten a country's sovereignty. I cannot see any justification for the total destruction that Israel has wreaked upon Lebanon's infrastructure. Hezbollah fighters surely are not atop every building and every house in southern Lebanon. The people could not even flee without risking their lives on the roads. Israel's use of force is totally disporportionate.