Excellent discussion with PBS’s Bill Moyers, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and Dr. Timothy P. Weber about Christian Zionism, Israel, Iran, and dispensationalism, which about 1/3 of Evangelicals believe.
Dr. Weber: “this is one group in a long line of similar groups . . . which combined a firm belief in bible prophecy and a particular political agenda that has gained more and more power as the years have gone by.” He explains their belief if the Jews get to the Holy Land and stay there, the Temple of Solomon will be rebuilt (and Dome of the Rock destroyed), the anti-Christ will rise, Armageddon will occur, and Jesus will return. Rabbi Lerner points out their belief that all unconverted Jews will then burn in hell.
Rabbi Lerner: “I think that movement has three different parts. One part is people whose primary agenda is conservative politics in America and who are using the issue of Israel as another part of their support of conservative politics. if the US moved away from Israel they would move away from it. The second part are people who are dispensationalists, who believe that getting Israel into a huge battle with the Arab states is going to be good for bringing Jesus back onto our planet. . . . It’s a theological concept. And then there are people who genuinely care about Jews, descent good people, in this movement who unfortunately are being manipulated for a political agent that is very very different, and in my view is not at all in the best interest of the Jewish people or of Israel.”
Dr. Weber: “In previous attempts to understand Bible prophecy Iran does not show up . . . they [dispensationalists] adjust the scenario to fit. Dispensationalists know how to change the subject.”
Rabbi Lerner: “Ahmadinejad is really one of the best allies of the Christian Right and the Jewish Right.”
Max Blumenthal’s deeply disturbing 10-minute documentary of the recent Christians United for Israel conference shows what seems like a harmless collection of crazy people, until you realize how powerful they are. Senator Joseph Lieberman, former House majority leader Tom DeLay, and former Senator Rick Santorum were in attendance.
Max Blumenthal: “CUFI lobbies Congress for an expansion of Israel and a unilateral attack on Iran.”
Rep. DeLay: “[the second coming] is what I live for. I hope it comes tomorrow . . . we have to be connected to Israel to enjoy the second coming.”
Attendee: “I’m looking forward to Armageddon, and I’m looking forward to the cleansing of the Earth.”
Attendee: “When we disappear you better start to worry, because if you haven’t seen the Left Behind series, it’s scary.”
Max Blumenthal: “The one with Kirk Cameron? Growing Pains?”
Attendee: “The one who forces Israel into a peace treat with Arabs is the Anti-Christ.”
Attendee: “Another reason we support Israel is because we have a common enemy, the Muslims.”
Attendee: “We are fighting what is behind the Muslim people, which is Satan.”
Attendee T-shirt: “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Morals are Worse than Animals.”
The Israeli right-winger Max interviewed seemed happy to overlook these beliefs. Perhaps they regard these dispensationalists the same way Stalin regarded his “useful idoits.”
SEE ALSO:
Pat Robertson says agreement with Palestinians risks “wrath of God.” I think his God supports ethnic cleansing.
Blackwater founder thinks he’s doing God’s work. Major connections to Christian fundamentalists.
Jewish American author on his recent book: Overcoming Zionism.