Christian fundamentalists are driving Bush's Middle East policy

[Bluebear]

Sorry if this was psoted elsewhere...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1195727,00.html

Their beliefs are bonkers, but they are at the heart of power

US Christian fundamentalists are driving Bush's Middle East policy

To understand what is happening in the Middle East, you must first understand what is happening in Texas. To understand what is happening there, you should read the resolutions passed at the state's Republican party conventions last month. Take a look, for example, at the decisions made in Harris County, which covers much of Houston.
The delegates began by nodding through a few uncontroversial matters: homosexuality is contrary to the truths ordained by God; "any mechanism to process, license, record, register or monitor the ownership of guns" should be repealed; income tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax and corporation tax should be abolished; and immigrants should be deterred by electric fences. Thus fortified, they turned to the real issue: the affairs of a small state 7,000 miles away. It was then, according to a participant, that the "screaming and near fist fights" began.

I don't know what the original motion said, but apparently it was "watered down significantly" as a result of the shouting match. The motion they adopted stated that Israel has an undivided claim to Jerusalem and the West Bank, that Arab states should be "pressured" to absorb refugees from Palestine, and that Israel should do whatever it wishes in seeking to eliminate terrorism. Good to see that the extremists didn't prevail then. etc.

[whistle]

1. Great, let's draft their 18+ year old kids and send them over to die...

:wtf:

[physioex]

2. That and many other things...

All of us have heard of those NUTS Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. To them the Jewish people are the chosen ones and when they occupy Isreal, it will be the second coming of the Messiah. So they are willing to tolerate ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians. With Bush in office and Repugs in control of Legislature, and Supreme Court they pretty much have had a blank check for the last four years.

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. Ethnic cleansing

Falwell and Robertson might tolerate ethnic cleansing, I have no idea about where they would stand. But it is meaningless because it ain't happening. The only ethnic cleansing in that area occurred when ARABS ethnically cleansed Jews from their states.

[LeahMira]

23. Only recently...

The only ethnic cleansing in that area occurred when ARABS ethnically cleansed Jews from their states.

Far as I know, that has been a relatively recent phenomenon. For centuries, Jews lived in relative peace in the Arab states. True, in some situations they were second-class citizens, but they were certainly not persecuted. Their numbers were always small, though, so they really posed little threat to anyone.

It is true that since the establishment of the State of Israel, Jews living in other lands have been encouraged to come there, and the Israelis have ransomed or rescued thousands from the Soviet Union and hundreds from Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq and Syria who were facing discriminatory state policies and outright persecution there. These people have been integrated into Israeli society and are now productive Israeli citizens. It would be helpful if the Arab states had been as welcoming to the Palestinians who wanted to emigrate, rather than insisting that they remain in Gaza where their frustration and poverty forces them into a situation where they have little choice but to explode in one way or another... against the State of Israel of course.

[Warpy]

3. For real political dynamite

...revisit this little gem from January:

"It might seem unlikely that the commander in chief would take his marching orders directly from on high -- unless you understand the views of the Rev. Timothy LaHaye, one of the most influential leaders of the Christian right, and a man who played a quiet but pivotal role in putting George W. Bush in the White House. If you know LaHaye at all, it's for his series of best-selling apocalyptic novels. You've seen the Left Behind novels everywhere: aboard airplanes, at the beach, in massive displays at Wal-Mart. In the nine years since the publication of the first novel, the series has sold 60 million copies. Next to the authors of the Bible itself, who didn't get royalties, LaHaye is Christianity's biggest publishing success ever.

"LaHaye's books, and his quirky interpretation of biblical prophecy that stands behind them, revolve intensely around Iraq, because LaHaye believes that Armageddon will be unleashed from the Antichrist's headquarters in Babylon. Since the 1970s -- when Iraq began a reconstruction project on the ruins of the ancient city, near Baghdad -- LaHaye has said that Saddam Hussein is carrying out Satan's mission. In 1999, LaHaye wrote that Saddam is "a servant of Satan," possessed by a demon, and that he could be "the forerunner of the Antichrist." Ultimately, says LaHaye, before Christ can return to Earth, Iraq, led by the Antichrist, must engage in a world-shaking showdown with Israel.

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/nationalaffairs/featuregen.asp?pid=2771

Please read this article. It tells us more about the "god" whispering into Bush's ear than any other.

[Wright Patman]

6. Since the U.S. resident

now rules over Babylon, that makes him the Antichrist, right?

He certainly acts the role, IMHO.

[Bluebear]

7. The fundies are going crazy

Posting how awesome heaven is going to be and posting warnings to the ones 'left behind' that they can't buy food without receiving the mark of the beast etc. Very entertaining until you realize W is one of them.

[hippiegranny]

17. good god,

if we're going to run this country based on the musings of fiction writers, can't it at least be dan brown's "da vinci code" that dictates policy?

this is like those old reeses peanut butter cup commercials: "watch out! you just got politics on my religion! no, YOU just got religion on my politics!"

[BlueEyedSon]

4. great find *kick* nt

[Mari333]

8. yep. and I hate them with a passion, they put our kid in jeopardy

in Baghdad. Bush is playing to the only base he has, a bunch of right wing whackos.
the armageddon lobby from Hell

http://www.againstbombing.com/ArmageddonUpdates.htm

[democracy eh]

11. scary

fundamentalism run amok

meant to reply to 9

[ithacan]

9. www.TheocracyWatch.org

You've got to check out this website, it documents very clearly with great sources how the "religious right" has hijacked the republican party. http://www.TheocracyWatch.org/

Scary.

[BlueEyedSon]

10. Nice, thx!

[kalian]

13. These people are SCARY....I'd like to know...

what the difference is between them and the islamic fundamentalists?
Spare me the part about the "religious differences"....I mean, the
way they would like to run a country... :mad:

[ithacan]

15. they take their orders from jesus...

and the Islamic Mohammedans don't...

Apart from that, there ain't all that much difference. If these guys had untrammelled, uncontrolled power, this place would be like Taliban Afghanistan.

[lostnfound]

20. Including a link to this disturbing article

published in the Weekly Planet in Tampa last month.

http://www.theocracywatch.org/christian_recon_planet_weekly_mar2004.htm

sample:
Unions would be illegal, as would any government role in workplace safety. Employers could discriminate for any and all reasons. Minimum wage, unemployment benefits, Social Security, welfare -- all history. Adios environmental protection laws, as well as regulation on who can call themselves a physician or lawyer.

Public schools are anathema. One of the great successes of Reconstruction has been promoting home-schooling programs. Home schooling is much broader than Reconstruction, of course. But Illinois Reconstructionist Paul Lindstrom has devised texts used by tens of thousands of home- schooling families.

The arena that generates the most attention -- and shock -- is dominion theology's radical plans to make capital punishment part of America's daily routine.

Ringgold's Don Boys -- who as a one-term Indiana state official in the 1970s authored legislation that restored capital punishment there -- spoke cheerfully of a time when Americans will witness 10,000 executions a year. And Gary North suggests the method -- stoning -- because rocks are "cheap, plentiful and convenient." Reconstructionists also favor other biblical forms of execution -- burning, hanging and the sword.

[hexola]

12. The first line of civilian workers are all FUNDIE NUTS!!! -

Folks - a far as I'm concerned - these freaks have hijacked our government and our military...they are endangering all Americans.

I think the entire first line of civilians going to Iraq are mostly fundie nuts...! They can be the "bullet stoppers" until Haliburton can bring in their regular players...

Here's a Freeper who can't wait to stop bullets for Halliburton...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1121211/posts

[Must_B_Free]

14. Wonderful - let them go!

what could be better? Go put your money where your mouth is Freepers.

[Mari333]

16. Ill send him enlistment forms, he can take Michaels place n/t

[OneBlueSky]

18. that ain't the half of it . . . read "The Despoiling of America: . . .

How George W. Bush became the head of the new American Dominionist Church/State"

http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

(snip)

Dominionism is a natural if unintended extension of Social Darwinism and is frequently called “Christian Reconstructionism.” Its doctrines are shocking to ordinary Christian believers and to most Americans. Journalist Frederick Clarkson, who has written extensively on the subject, warned in 1994 that Dominionism “seeks to replace democracy with a theocratic elite that would govern by imposing their interpretation of ‘Biblical Law.’” He described the ulterior motive of Dominionism is to eliminate “…labor unions, civil rights laws, and public schools.” Clarkson then describes the creation of new classes of citizens:

“Women would be generally relegated to hearth and home. Insufficiently Christian men would be denied citizenship, perhaps executed. So severe is this theocracy that it would extend capital punishment blasphemy, heresy, adultery, and homosexuality.”

(snip)

Dominionists have gained extensive control of the Republican Party and the apparatus of government throughout the United States; they continue to operate secretly. Their agenda to undermine all government social programs that assist the poor, the sick, and the elderly is ingeniously disguised under false labels that confuse voters. Nevertheless, as we shall see, Dominionism maintains the necessity of laissez-faire economics, requiring that people “look to God and not to government for help.”<13>

It is estimated that thirty-five million Americans who call themselves Christian, adhere to Dominionism in the United States, but most of these people appear to be ignorant of the heretical nature of their beliefs and the seditious nature of their political goals. So successfully have the televangelists and churches inculcated the idea of the existence of an outside “enemy,” which is attacking Christianity, that millions of people have perceived themselves rightfully overthrowing an imaginary evil anti-Christian conspiratorial secular society.

- much more, and well worth the read . . .

http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

[lostnfound]

19. kick for anyone who hasn't seen this nt

[LeahMira]

21. Unreal!

The motion they adopted stated that Israel has an undivided claim to Jerusalem and the West Bank, that Arab states should be "pressured" to absorb refugees from Palestine, and that Israel should do whatever it wishes in seeking to eliminate terrorism.

Why on earth are legislators in Texas making resolutions about Israel and Palestine? Do they think they are a separate nation?

US Christian fundamentalists are driving Bush's Middle East policy

It's almost as if they can't wait to die so they can get to heaven. I mean, why else would they be so anxious to get this rapture thing started? Don't these lazy schmucks understand that they are supposed to LIVE on earth in such a way as to earn their ticket to the eternal reward?

Some learned sociologist should investigate and come up with some theory as to what social conditions give rise to these frames of mind. They remind me of the Heaven's Gate cult!

[Killarney]

22. these people scare me

[Az]

24. It is arguable

That the entirety of the problem in the Middle East is due to Christian meddling. Consider the survival of Judaism within Christian societies. Whenever Christianity has come across another belief they typically spare no expense or effort in eliminating it. Whether through evangelyzing or eradication. Our history is full of religions that fell before Christianity.

But Judaism seems to be the only society, prior to the age of enlightenment, was able to survive within Christian society. They did not survive unscaithed, but survive they did. It is interesting to note that Judaism is the only religion that is prophesized on Christian doctrine as being around in the end times. In fact many of their prophecies concern the return of the Jews to Israel (for eventual destruction). It is arguable that the reason the organized branches of Christianity chose not to wipe out Judaism is because they were required to fullfill their own religion.

From this realization we see that it was in the Christians interest to see the Jews return to Israel. Not recognising the Muslems as having any claim to the land they were swept aside. The Jews were installed and continue to be supported by various Christian sects because of their desire for the return of Jesus and the end of the world.

Thus from this we can see that the struggle in the Middle East is not just Jew against Muslem. But it also includes the remote meddling of Christians parties. Even to the extent that some have tried to initiate armaggedon in the area during the millenia celebrations.

There exists in the US very strong support for Israel within various Christian factions. This support is welcomed by the Jews despite the fact that the intent on the part of those providing the support is that the Jews are expected to be virtually exterminated in the prophesized conflict.